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OCCHS hosts musicians
Members of Jargon include (from left) Jason Kendall on bass, Kenneth Northam on banjo, Darbin Ousley on mandolin, Kirk Morris on guitar and James Faulkner on guitar
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Obion County Central High School recently held its fifth Coffee House in the school’s library.
Students and adults were invited to take the open mic to showcase their musical talents. Coffee, punch, pastries, cookies, nuts and chips were served.
The event lasted about two hours.
Senior Josh Dalton, son of Doug and Lori Dalton of Union City, emceed the event, introducing the different acts and engaging the audience with humor.
Clay Smith, a senior and son of Jimmy and LeEllen Smith of Troy, played guitar and sang five songs, some of which included “Be Good or Be Gone,” “Sunshine” and a duet with Craig McCullough called “Beauty in the Breakdown.” For the most part, Smith has taught himself to play over the past five years.
“Events like Coffee House are important because they give people who don’t take lessons and play in recitals an opportunity to gain experience playing in front of people. It is also great to hear fellow musicians in the area,” Smith said.
In addition to joining in with Smith, McCullough played acoustic guitar and sang three songs, “Twilight” and “The Voices,” both of which he wrote himself, and “The Time Has Come.” The senior is also self-taught and has been playing for three years. McCullough, the son of David and Karen McCullough of Troy, said he enjoyed the Coffee House because it “is a way to express feelings through song and poetry.”
Justin Owens, a senior and son of Carol Owens of Union City, played guitar and sang four songs, two of which were “Oh, Promise Him” and “I Still Believe.” Owens taught himself to play and has been playing for four years. He enjoys Coffee House each year because it “allows people to come together, play music and have a good time.” He has also played a few duets with Dustin Crowell, a 2006 graduate of OCCHS. Crowell also played guitar. Owens mostly enjoyed the “Free Bird” finale, played by Crowell, Kirk Morris and Owens.
Freshman Hope Montgomery, daughter of Bob and Amy Montgomery of Union City, played acoustic guitar. Among her selections were “I Saw the Light,” an impressive finger-picking medley; “Our Song”; and “Back on the Shore,” which she had written herself.
Miss Montgomery has taken formal lessons locally and has been playing for more than three years. She said she most enjoyed “the relaxed atmosphere and watching everyone else play” and feels Coffee House adds something unique because “people who are serious about their talents but too nervous to play in front of the entire school can play and gain experience playing for an audience.”
Not everyone who attend played and not everyone who played was a student.
Shannon Lyon, English teacher at OCCHS, was an audience member. “I enjoyed the experience of walking into the library and being treated to an evening of culture and entertainment not often found in this area. The kids need to know that when you live in a smaller area, you sometimes have to use your own talents for entertainment.
“If you don’t go, you’re missing out on an incredible night of entertainment. You can pull up a seat at one of the candlelit tables, get a snack and enjoy the show. Where else can you do that for free?”
Jargon, a local bluegrass group, was the highlight of the evening. Most of the members of the group have been together for more than two years. They have played in such venues as the Kentucky Opry, the Jackson Area Plectral Society Bluegrass Festival, Paducah After Dinner, the Obion County Fair, the Obion County Public Library and the Chimes for Charity Telethon.
During Coffee House, Jargon played several bluegrass numbers featuring the different instruments.
Member Darbin Ousley said, “The talent of the students was impressive, as always. It’s great to see them interested in playing and song writing at such a young age.
“Hopefully, some might like bluegrass a little now to keep the music alive, but, more importantly, they will continue to play what they enjoy playing.”
Published in The Messenger on 11.26.07
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Coffee House, Jargon, Obion County Central High School
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