Submitted by Gene McGinnis
Vintage record players, old records and live blue grass music with great fiddling are on the program as The Chattooga County Historical Society meets this Sunday at 2pm at the depot.  This will be our first in person meeting since before the pandemic. Everyone, members and all who are interested in our county’s history, is encouraged to attend this entertaining meeting and help us “reopen.”  If you have been enjoying our pictures on Facebook over the last year, now will be a good time to come and join us.

Ben Hayes, whose passion is restoring vintage audio, record players and radios, will present part of the program. He will bring some examples of his work from 1909 victrola  through mid century modern Hi-Fi.  Ben, who grew up in Haywood Valley, also collects records. His collection now numbers over 4000.  He will bring a sample of his collection, everything from early 78’s of the Carter Family and  Bing  Crosby to Elvis and Ray Charles.

Ben and his two friends Steven Blalock and Dusty Cothran also have a band that will perform. Ben plays guitar and banjo, Dusty the mandolin, and Steven the fiddle. Steven is an Appalachian World Champion fiddler. Songs like the  The Orange Blossom Special , Will the Circle Be Unbroken, Kentucky Waltz  and some championship fiddling will have everyone tapping their toes!
Come on down this Sunday at 2pm to the depot. If you have not been a member, now will be a great time  to join us . Check our website www.chattoogahistory.org and like us on Facebook.