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Reviving the Millsite pick band tradition

Omayra Acevedo
Posted 3/28/23

A band jam is when musicians come together to play and sing completely unrehearsed. Sometimes, the musicians know each other, and other times, they don’t. The varying musical skills are part of

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Reviving the Millsite pick band tradition

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A band jam is when musicians come together to play and sing completely unrehearsed. Sometimes, the musicians know each other, and other times, they don’t. The varying musical skills are part of what makes band jams an incredible experience.

At the highest point on the Peak to Peak highway is the historical Millsite Inn (the Site). Josh Moyer and his wife took over the venue in December 2019. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, the Moyers weren’t able to celebrate the a grand reopening until September 17, 2021.

By the following May, the Moyers acquired liquor licensing, celebrating another milestone. But it doesn’t end there for the duo working hard to bring back the glory of what once was the most frequented place on the Peak to Peak.

If you’ve been around since the 80s and 90s, you may already know that pick bands were legendary at the Site during winter. In 2023, the tradition came back to life. Aside from serving up mountain burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and mouth-watering homemade chili, the venue is again home to the Millsite Bluegrass Jam!

The jam is hosted by Dan Freeman, joined by many of the longtime resident jammers of the area. Music isn’t the only thing bringing the Site’s history back to life. Members of the pick jam and its audiences span several generations.

The rebirth of the local jam welcomed ten musicians, playing everything from banjos to fiddles and guitars to mandolins. But picks aren’t the only musical accessory welcomed during jams. Drumsticks can also make an appearance, courtesy of the owners home drum kit. Participating musicians receive pizza and two drinks courtesy of the Moyer family.

Keep your belly warm with a wind-breaking dish and heighten your senses every Saturday night through the end of May at the Millsite Inn, 7 p.m. Starting in June, they will continue offering various musical acts for your pleasure and entertainment.

To hear more about this exciting event at the Millsite Inn, join Dango Rose in the conversation in The Mountain-Ear’s Monday, March 13, 2023, podcast https:// www.themtnear.com/.

The Millsite Inn is located at 44365 Highway 72, Ward. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ millsiteinn.moyer or give them a call at 720-547-9438.