How many musicians perform at the monthly Wakarusa Bluegrass jamborees varies. Sometimes it is six to seven, other times so many musicians show up, it impossible to get everyone on stage for the set. Musicians are not paid for their performances. Photo provided by Dan Flipus.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

Bluegrass is enjoying a resurgence as younger musicians are starting to play. Shown are some of the performers at a recent Wakarsua Bluegrass jamboree. Photo provided by Dan Flipus.

WAKARUSA — If you’re itching to get out of the house, wanting to listen to some good music and don’t want to break the bank, Wakarusa has just the ticket for you.

For the last 24 years, the Wakarusa Bluegrass Jamboree has provided quality bluegrass music for free although a donation bucket is passed around to help defray costs.

The jamboree plays from 6:30-9 p.m. the first Thursday of the month and has recently found a new home, the Doc Abel Pavilion, located at 116 W. Waterford St., just one block west of the spotlight.

Stephen Schmidt explained the jamboree started as a regular gig, bringing bluegrass musicians from around the area together to play. The jamboree has had a number of homes over the years, first at Schmidt’s guitar shop for a while, then at a restaurant that is now closed, then it settled in the basement of Horizon Transport for about a year. The last 15 years, the jamboree has called the cafeteria at NorthWood Middle School home.

“They have a nice big stage there,” Schmidt said.

The Wakarusa Bluegrass Jamboree started as an opportunity for local musicians to perform and craft their stage presence. The jamboree is going on its 24th year. Photo provided by Dan Flipus.

The Jamboree moved to Doc Abel Pavilion three months ago.

Musicians come from as far north as Berrien Springs, Mich., Milford and Argos to the south and come each month to perform.

“These musicians, many of them have bands of their own,” Schmidt said. “I wanted to give musicians who never get out, a chance to perform and work on their stage presence.”

An example is one of Schmidt’s former clients, an older gentleman who wanted to play guitar. The client practiced and actually performed his first song at the jamboree.

Another player brings his grandson, who is an up and coming musician. The grandson was recently featured in a Bethel College showcase, the only bluegrass band there, and brought the house down.

Schmidt said his own family has performed at a number of venues including churches and fairs.

“It’s been great,” he said. “Bluegrass has been a lot more popular than country music has been. Bluegrass is folk music on steroids. It’s a lot of fun. It’s good solid music with a lot of good values.”

Attendance at the jamboree varies. Schmidt said crowds as large as 300 have shown up, but since COVID it’s been hard to get back on track. “Winter time, especially after Christmas, we don’t see the good crowds in January or February typically,” Schmidt said.

The jamboree did attempt a Christmas event, but even holding it in early December, it didn’t bring out the expected crowds.

How many groups or musicians perform also varies.

“Some months, you may have six or seven there, other months we can’t get them all on,” Schmidt said.

Shown are some local musicians after performing at a recent Wakarusa Bluegrass Jamboree. The next jamboree will be from 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Doc Abel Pavilion. Photo provided by Dan Flipus.

Organizers try to have individual performers perform one song and groups perform three.

“If you come, you’ll hear some good solid music,” Schmidt said. “It will be enjoyable.”

Musicians interested in performing just need to show up and sign up with Jim Kizer, who serves as emcee for the event. Schmidt said the evening tends to run like a smaller version of Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry.

The musicians come for the joy of playing. Musicians aren’t paid to perform. A free-will bucket is passed around to help pay for insurance. Any money left over is donated to area charities.

The next jamboree will be from 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Doc Abel Pavilion.