Picture of the day - September 7, 2005

Bluegrass Music: A Family Tradition

(L-R) Rachel Johnson - Josh Johnson - Kenny Morrell - Ray Johnson - Kevin Love - Larry Brown    Bluegrass music is fast becoming a tradition in the Bristol, VA-TN area with many of the region's long-time Bluegrass musicians and singers doing everything they can to pass along the love of this wonderful music to the young folks. Whether it's on Tim White's Pickin' Porch Show, at the Carter Family Fold or on the stage under the mural on State Street, if Bluegrass music is being performed you're likely to see youngsters doing a lot of the pickin'. A great case in point is the subject of today's picture: the Morrell / Johnson family performing yesterday evening at the last Tuesday night State Street Bluegrass Pickin' of the season. Kenny Morrell's love of Bluegrass was sparked by the sound of Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs in the 1940's and he hasn't looked back since. Kenny's daughter Michelle plays piano and organ in her church, but she also sings along when the family is pickin' Bluegrass. Kenny's family is a Bluegrass family through and through - he told me that whenever someone marries into the family he/she is expected to learn to play an instrument. Of course Michelle's husband Ray Johnson is an accomplished musician in his own right, and son Josh and daughter Rachel excel on mandolin and fiddle. These wonderful folks also sing with a family harmony that can't be beat. Although a septuagenarian, Kenny still sings with a strong, clear voice. Josh's high tenor combines with Rachel's angelic voice to produce a harmony that can only come from brother and sister. The Morrell / Johnson family tradition of making great Bluegrass music is a microcosm of the Bluegrass genre as a whole. Bluegrass musicians are a tight-knit group, and it's quite common to see a member of one band filling in literally on a moment's notice with another group...and it always sounds great when they do. Yes, passing the love of Bluegrass music on from generation to generation is a family tradition - for the Morrell / Johnson family and the Bluegrass family as a whole.   Picture Of The Day Homepage | Submit a photo Interesting Articles