Fredericksburg - First Friday in Fredericksburg means art, food, music, and fun.  It’s the one night of the month that I see everybody in town I know.  What I look forward to the most, what I consider the quintessentially authentic Fredericksburg evening (which occurs on this night) is going to listen to the Bluegrass Believers at the Recreation Center (aka the Pool Hall) located down on lower William Street, where for the past five years the Believers have been the featured First Friday act, entertaining a loyal, committed, and expanding fanbase.

October's First Friday was no exception.  After a trip to Liberty Town Arts for my art fix and Sammy T’s for my "vegan veg" entrée, I was ready for a cold PBR and some Bluegrass Believers.  The Pool Hall is a Fredericksburg tradition in itself as one of the town’s oldest continuous establishments.  As we entered the Pool Hall a little late, the band was already playing.  I made eye contact with as many familiar faces as I could, but was making a bee line to the bar to snag a few open seats and talk to Vicky, the loveliest proprietor ever and Mike, who my better half thinks (and I agree) has the sexiest head of hair on the planet.  On this particular evening there was an added bonus - Jimmie Delozier, a local fiddle star, was sitting in with the Believers.  This guy has played for Conway Twitty!  Delozier’s band Skystone is a favorite on the bluegrass festival circuit.

The Bluegrass Believers began about seven years ago when the nucleus of the group, Lowell Salye, Steven Hu, and Bud Griffis met at a jam session that was held at Mr. B’s small engine repair shop out in Ruby (in Stafford County, not to be confused with Mr. B’s down in Thornburg).  Lowell’s father, Mr. Salye, as we all refer to him, was the band’s first bass player, then John Jones, then TJ (until he moved to Florida), and now André Eglevsky has been holding it down for the last three years or so, and I hope for years to come. 

Their show is familiar.  I’ve seen it a couple dozen times, but it is always fresh and enjoyable.  They do a great job keeping it interesting and most of all entertaining.  My personal show highlights are Lowell Salye channelling Earl Scruggs’ banjo playing-style where he is adjusting his tuning pegs throughout the song (an Earl Scruggs invention).  Then, there is Steven Hu’s ringing rhythm guitar playing and his singing of the Doc Pomos/Mort Shuman classic “Viva Las Vegas,” and any of the many Buddy Griffis ripping mandolin solos.  Finally, André Eglevsky’s driving, hand-slapping bass playing propels the band down the track.  They also do a little number called “Blue Bunny Ice Cream” - a Bluegrass Believers’ original.  They tried contacting the company, but as of yet no official relationship has developed.  My all time favorite is a little jingle they perform called “Four Mile Fork Shopping Center.”  Anyone who grew up around here can immediately identify with the Diamond Head Restaurant and Nichols department store references.  The song was written by Danny Grady, a Fredericksburg music scene veteran, back in the early 80s when he was in a band called the Bonko Steers.  The Believers incorporate an old-time radio show style that is borderline snake oil sales and evangelistic preacher shtick.  They like to collect and perform these jingles and radio spots to pay tribute to an era that has all but disappeared.  “Modern radio is very impersonal these days, mostly just weather and traffic reports.  The drive time slot is pretty much just for the commuters these days.  It didn’t used to be like that,” said Sayle.  "Any sense of identity has been wiped away from the airwaves.”

The Believer’s are very grateful for their fans' support.  The normal crowd consists of thirty or so regulars with a couple handfuls of new converts.  I, as one the faithful, knew just about everybody in the congregation that night, but Lowell told me it wasn’t always that way.  “It takes a while to get the right people who appreciate what you’re doing.  Now we have that, and it’s fun, and I love seeing the faces of the folks enjoying themselves.  We don’t want to stop,” said Salye.  I don’t want them to stop either.  In a world that at times seems image-conscious and superficial, it is nice to have a place such as the Pool Hall where you can go and spend an enjoyable evening with real everyday folks and listen to a Fredericksburg institution, the Bluegrass Believers.  There is nothing like it, and I’m glad it is all here in my backyard.

Fredericksburg has been home to some mighty fine bluegrass pickers.  Ben Eldridge, John Starlin, Larry Stevens, Mark Newton, Chris Eldridge, and Keller Williams have made a living by their music.  But that doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of the musical talent that is walking around in this little town.  There is a vibrant local array of talent that we are fortunate to be able to enjoy and sometimes probably take for granted.  The Believers are the epitome of local talent.  All the members of the band are top-notch players skilled in many genres of music but come together because of their mutual love and respect for bluegrass.  They are humble, gracious, and about some of the nicest folks you’d ever want to meet.  Their show is clever, funny, entertaining, and unique.  Now I know there is a lot of competition out there for your entertainment dollar, but consider this: First Friday in Fredericksburg is, for the most part, free.  The art galleries don’t charge admittance.  Eating out will cost you, but there is no cover at the Pool Hall.  For less than a fiver, you can get a draft, a world famous hotdog, and three hours of some of the finest bluegrass you’ve ever heard.  For a little more, you can enjoy an order of the best french fries in town.  Not to forget, the Pool Hall has the best bar staff anywhere.  So, the next time the first Friday of the month rolls around, think Fredericksburg, see some art, have a nice meal, and get yourself to the Pool Hall.  Save your soul while there still is a chance.  I’m a believer - you could be one too.

MySpace.com/BelieversFBG

By Correspondent: Troy Coghill

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