Just Pickin

A warm summer afternoon, a cold Dr. Pepper, and bluegrass music on the porch with friends from the Ashe County area. It doesn't get any better. They live just down the road and drop by on occasion to pick and sing and tell of hunting adventures. Eric and Brandon Hardin have been playing since 1999. They are very good for the short time they have been playing. Eric placed 7th at the Galax Convention on banjo. Brandon plays mandolin in the old Monroe style and has a powerful tenor voice. Steve holds a tight rhythm with the base. These guys will go far with their music if they stick with it. They already draw a crowd when they play. They have learned some of their music from local friends and family members that play in the area. Their grandfather, Spencer Pennington, has played and sang for years in local bands. Larry Pennington plays banjo for "Big Country Bluegrass" and has helped Eric with some of the core traditional songs and licks. Larry is a hard driving and fast banjo picker. He has played for most of the large festivals on the east coast and has performed on the "Grand Ole Opry" in Nashville, TN. He is a great friend and always willing to give new comers a chance. He believes in the old traditional sounds of bluegrass and tries to keep it alive for us to enjoy today. Eric is constantly studying the styles and patterns of other pickers and has worked hard at his music. It's good to know that the tradition of bluegrass music will be carried on.