Picture of the day - June 27, 2005

Gene Boyd - A Bluegrass Legend

Today's picture features a local Bluegrass music legend, Gene Boyd. He began playing his beloved Bluegrass music in 1939 and he hasn't stopped yet - and I guess he won't as long as he is able to hold a fiddle! Known affectionately as "The Fiddling Barber", Mr. Boyd has been giving great haircuts at Bristol, Virginia's Star Barbershop for over 50 years. And for all that time he has hosted a Bluegrass music jam session right in the barbershop every Thursday morning. Customers can come in, get a trim, and listen to some wonderful live Bluegrass performances at the same time. Most Thursdays, "The Fiddling Barber" will lay down his clippers and scissors, pick up his fiddle and join in on a tune or two while you wait! Virtually everyone with an interest in Bluegrass has heard of Gene Boyd and his Star Barbershop. He has performed with many fine bands, and over the years he has done more than his part to further Bluegrass music throughout the local area and beyond. For several years (until the fall of 2004), he hosted the summertime Tuesday night Bluegrass performances under the Birthplace Of Country Music mural on State Street. He has also been very active in helping youngsters get started playing Bluegrass music because he knows the future of Bluegrass lies in the children. Even though Gene Boyd has been making beautiful music for the better part of 70 years, he can still play a mean fiddle. But even more important is his positive influence on the local Bluegrass culture... it will live on long after his playing days have come to an end.   Picture Of The Day Homepage | Submit a photo Interesting Articles