47th annual Wayne Jerrolds Bluegrass Festival kicks off in Savannah

SAVANNAH, Tenn. — An almost 5-decade event returns to one community for an evening filled with music near the Tennessee River.

Savannah kicked off its 47th annual Wayne Jerrolds Bluegrass Festival. However, this event hasn’t always been an event where residents sit and enjoy music.

Founder of the bluegrass festival, Wayne Jerrolds, says this event is about seeing old friends and creating new memories.

“It started out at a fiddling contest and we decided not to have that. So many people get their feelings hurt, and so we do it wherever everybody feels like they’re the best. They get applause, they’re happy and it’s been growing each year,” said Jerrolds.

Each night is packed with different groups playing each night.

“A lot of young people are coming in to the scene. We have had a lot of young musicians just right now than we’ve had in years. That’s wonderful to see,” said Freeda Ashe, event coordinator.

Friday night’s closer was “The Bankshafts.” Saturday’s festival will be at the Savannah Market beginning at 11 a.m. and ending with Billy Droze and Kentucky Blue at 7:30 p.m.

“My favorite part is just coming together out here on this beautiful Tennessee River in Hardin County. Making new friends and seeing old friends and the wonderful music,” said Ashe.

Jerrolds shares some of the history behind bluegrass music.

“That’s one of the oldest music there is. It was mountain music and it was all acoustic instruments and that’s all we had when I was growing up, we didn’t have electricity. So this is back to the roots,” said Jerrolds.

Wayne Jerrolds and Savannah Grass will perform at 5:30 p.m Saturday.

For more Hardin County news, click here.