A New Tune for Suwanee Music History

There were new faces and returning veterans Saturday at the Everett's Music Barn all-day benefit.

Bob Fuss and Jamie Kemp are relative newcomers. He lives in Murrayville, she in Gainesville. He found out about the barn through a friend who plays banjo. He began coming to the Saturday night performances last September, and he said, "I've been here every Saturday night since then. I've heard some good music."

For Brenda Patterson, it was the first trip back after a hiatus of more than 10 years. A retired power company worker in Marietta, she gave up playing the banjo to raise her nephew. He's now 12, so she's getting back into pickin' again.

(Patterson's banjo playing can be seen in this Patch video that was previously posted.)

Family matters were at the forefront along with the music. Diane Everett Dunaway brought a photo scrapbook and memory boards.

Tina Everett, wife of Russell Everett, was showing newcomers around the main house on the property. She met her husband in the barn in 1974, when it was still relatively new, and they were married a year later. Russell's and Tina's grandchildren were among the crowd Saturday. (Psssst: He's known as "pop-pop.")

The main house serves as a "green room" for bands waiting to take the barn stage. Also Saturday, it was the site of a guitar workshop.

Also on the scene were Jennifer Falk and John Garrett, two of the three owners who purchased the property in 2011 after it went up for sale. Garrett furnished much of the lunch with homemade barbecue, some of which was still smoking in the rear of his truck at midday.

And plenty of items were donated for raffles. Among them was a "deer-hunter's special," from a business in Buford. And noted bluegrass group The Grascals, who were prevented by contract obligations from playing at the barn, were among the sponsors.

Now, there's talk of a second all-day event in the fall. So y'all come back now, y'hear?

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