lasgow native Tim Durham, left, and Karl Everett keep things light-hearted by playing guitar at Calvin Melton’s Haywood Music Barn in Haywood, Ky., two miles south of Glasgow. The two are members of the house band, which formed at the Music Barn five years ago. Last year, the band took the name Steel Country. “This is old country [music],” Melton said. “Because they still play country – not what they call country on the Grand Ole Opry today. It’s not country.”
One band member plays a steel guitar.
Friends and neighbors have come to Melton’s property to enjoy country, bluegrass and gospel music every Saturday night since 1989. At first, everyone gathered in Melton’s living room. Great music drew larger and larger crowds until they were forced to the carport outside and eventually into the barn in Melton’s side-yard. “We invite our neighbors to come along for the fun. They can’t complain about the noise if they’re in here enjoying it,” Melton said.
Guests enter the barn amidst the smells of sloppy joes, fresh baked brownies and other potluck food. “A lot of people bring finger foods and snacks. We help ‘em eat and have a real big time. I keep it family-oriented,” Melton said. “We don’t have any smokin’ in the building and we don’t have any drinking alcohol on the grounds.
“We have a donation box and if anyone wants to put a dollar or two in it to help with expenses, that’s fine,” Melton added.
“We play music now and entertain people and it’s what we like to do.”
Melanie Blanding is a junior photojournalism major from Roanoke, Va. She can be reached at melanie.blanding@wku.edu.
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