By Laura Bilson
For HDMedia
A love of Christ, bluegrass music and fried pastries brings a weekly fellowship of musical faithfuls to the Hardee’s in Big Chimney.
Every Thursday evening, a group of mostly older folks travel from throughout Kanawha County to the Hardee’s. At about 5 p.m., they find a seat and socialize. The bluegrass worship music kicks off an hour later.
The group — which numbered around 65 at a recent jam session — has met since 2003, with a several-year pause during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Song leader Danny Cantley, of Big Chimney, started the group when a pair of women approached him at church to ask him for guitar lessons. They agreed to meet at the Hardee’s and the group gained momentum and members quickly.
Cantley played his guitar facing the dining hall, flanked by a handful of singers. In front of him, a pickin’ circle of musicians strummed acoustic instruments to Appalachian gospel tunes.
An ensemble of guitars, banjos, mandolins and a dulcimer joined the many singing voices echoing off the plexiglass-windowed walls and metal dining hall chairs.
‘I felt the spirit when I walked in here tonight’
After about an hour of music, a Hardee’s employee rolled a cart filled with fried apple turnovers through the crowd to the center circle of pickers.
Players and singers took a break to eat their “apple pies” and listen to a brief sermon.
“People sing for an apple pie,” Cantley said.
Then, the pickin’ continued.
Charleston resident Bonita Hunter attends with her husband, Joseph, and her son, Joe Jr., every week. She views the gathering as a great opportunity for socializing with old friends. Some of the long-time attendees have known each other for decades.
“Older people — you know — they’re home a lot, and if they don’t have something like this to go to, what do they do?” Hunter said.
Poca resident Keith Mundy, 93, has attended since this group began and still preaches at Gospel Light Community Church in Clendenin, on the Kanawha/Roane county border.
“I like the fellowship, the company and the music,” he said.
Pinch resident Judy Gay has attended for about a year and comes whenever she can.
“I felt the spirit when I walked here tonight,” Gay said.
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