Reflections of Smoked Country Jam: Songs that tell a story
By Christopher Miller
Picture this: Walton’s Mountain, or backwoods Appalachia, like around the West Virginia/Kentucky/Virginia border.
Now when I hear the word “bluegrass,” it conjures up images of denim overalls, stoneware moonshine jugs, tye dye, mountain music, and the most down-home, salt-of-the-Earth people one could meet. And all of these things (and many more) are an accurate depiction of this style of music. Actually, not just music, but a lifestyle as well.
“Songs that tell a story” is one of the most honest ways to describe Smoked Country Jam. But if you ask event organizer Ron Kodish, he defines the event as “roots to branches” covering all aspects of bluegrass.
My wife and I attended our first Smoked Country Jam last Saturday at Quiet Oaks Campground in Cross Fork and we couldn’t get enough of it!
When we decided to leave for other previously planned commitments, we kept pushing off our exit “for one more song.”
If you have never been, you are really missing out on an event that has been happening annually since 2004. So let me try to break it down for you.
The drive up to Quiet Oaks is as enjoyable as it is scenic. After a few miles of driving in the woods the top of the mountain opens up and many camps homes make themselves visible on what can only be described as being “on top of the world.” Outside temperatures can vary from 5-10 degrees cooler there than Renovo.
Driving into the event affords you the absolutely best view of the venue down in the valley – you are literally driving along some of the highest points of the campground while looking down into the valley of performance stages and the iconic food, arts, and crafts midway.
So what is trending at SCJ? Tie dye galore. So much tie dye (much to my wife’s delight). Hot dogs of many varieties were also very popular including the Chicago dog with mustard, onion, pickle, or for the bravest of foodies: the Peanut Butter Bacon Hot Dog (I did not dare).
There was also a BBQ trailer, a food trailer selling many varieties of calzones, a baked goods tent, and of course ice cream and cobblers which are enjoyable at any temperature.
Basket raffles have gained popularity in recent years and SCJ did not disappoint! Many were donated by Jam attendees and local organizations and contained the oddest, yet enjoyable assortment of items such as a basket of fiddles, painted hand saws (I had my eye on one with a snowy mountain scene), a patchwork quilt, bird houses, and gift cards.
When it comes to music, we enjoyed the sounds of a half-dozen or so performers such as Clyde Canton Band on the PA Wilds Stage who had a singer who was raised in Lock Haven but lives in western North Carolina now. He sang a very nice song about his favorite local restaurant, The Texas.
Let’s all go to The Texas,
They’re always serving breakfast,
Steak and eggs with homefries…
The Alex Leach Band played with special guest and fellow performer Van Wagner, or was it Van Wagner who played with special guest and fellow performer The Alex Leach Band? They interchangeably played music together, almost like a jam session or songwriting clinic.
The entire afternoon we spent at SCJ was one of the most enjoyable and memorable ones my wife and I had at a music festival. In fact, it’s already on my calendar to reserve full weekend tickets (+ camping) for next year.
Even the weather was enjoyable and well-controlled at a windy and cool 70 degrees. But I still did not dare to try those Peanut Butter Bacon Hot Dogs. Maybe next year.
