Ruby Lott: Youth in Bluegrass

       As we endeavor to keep the tradition of bluegrass alive and growing in Kansas, it is important that we do not fail to recognize the young folks coming up into the scene. When I was a kid, I was fortunate enough to get to be in a Kansas Bluegrass Association youth band, and I've never taken that for granted. There just isn't enough going on in Kansas, that will educate and inspire the next generations in bluegrass music. While other states have all their bluegrass camps; youth championships, scholarships and such, the best we can do at present is take the time to appreciate and recognize the young folks in our communities working to join the bluegrass family! So that being said, I'd like to take a moment to recognize this young lady, Ruby Lott.

       Ruby is an 8-year-old fiddle player enrolled in the Joyful Noise String Music Academy in Pratt, Kansas. This is where she has spent the last 4 years learning fiddle from her teacher Tammy Thimesch. Tammy, who is highly devoted to educating youngins in old time music and providing opportunities for them to be inspired further, through involvement in festivals and jams.

       It was that mission that brought Ruby out to delight us all, at the Halfway to Winfield Jam in Winfield, Kansas this past weekend. Ruby enthusiastically showed off her adorable little fiddle to everyone in the circle, with particular determination in drawing attention to its Saint Paddy's Day shamrock she had bedazzled it with. "My teacher Tammy helped me with that, doesn't it look great?!" She proclaimed charismatically to the entire jam circle. She then proceeded to show us all, just what she could do with that little fiddle. In the short amount of time she had that evening, she wowed us by fiddlin, "Bile Them Cabbages Down", complete with lyrics! Ruby did such a great job and had such a great time, and I know I'm not alone in saying, we hope to see her hitting the jams a lot more in the future, as she undoubtedly continues to grow into the very future of bluegrass in Kansas!

Article By Archer Hawke

Photo Credits Sierra Lott