CUMBERLAND — A father and son are learning bluegrass guitar together at the 2025 DelFest Academy thanks to a Christmas present from their families.
Held at the Allegany County Fairgrounds, the three days of musical instruction take place Monday through Wednesday prior to the opening of DelFest Thursday.
Brian Jewell and his father Steve, both of Ridgeley, West Virginia, were able to attend the academy due to the generosity of family members who joined together to pay their tuition.
“Our family members surprised us at Christmas with the passes for it,” said Steve Jewell. “Neither one of us take much time off from work so it’s a blessing in disguise you could say.”
Lessons at the academy are taught by many of the top stars at DelFest, including several members of the Del McCoury family.
Instruction is offered for guitar, fiddle, banjo, standup bass, voice and the use of sound equipment.
Brian Jewell and Steve Jewell both play.
“I guess you could call us guitar players,” joked Steve Jewell.
They are taking lessons from Heaven McCoury, son of Ronnie and Allison McCoury. Ronnie McCoury plays mandolin in the Del McCoury Band and also teaches at the academy.
Although the Jewells have attended DelFest twice, this is their first time participating in the academy.
“Once I started playing acoustic guitar, you find yourself gravitating toward bluegrass,” said Brian Jewell.
“It’s been awesome taking these lessons from such talented people,” said Brian Jewell. “It’s so much better than staring at a computer screen for an hour and trying to pick it up.”
“We’re enjoying it,” said Steve Jewell. “It’s great to be with my son and to try to learn a few new licks, and it’s thanks to our family members.”
Other local attendees included Jonathan Schmoyer, Liam Robinette and James Jones.
Jones, 33, of Ridgeley, was attending the academy for his second year. He had worked at a pizza stand at DelFest for 13 years.
“I had turned my nose up to (bluegrass) for years when I was growing up,” said Jones. “I came to DelFest to make money.
“But working at the pizza stand I was hearing all these great bands, so we all just starting watching the bands and after a while you get more of an ear for it.
“It’s an acquired taste. Now it’s 90% of my Spotify play list and my kids are requesting to hear it. We love it.”
Local people attending the academy thanks to a Troy McKenzie Foundation Scholarship include James, Benjamin Brooks, Isaiah Bohn, Jack Kilgallen and Alexander Bridges.