The Floyd Country Store is able to play a special role in Music Education in the community because so many fine musicians play at the store and are prepared to share their skills with others.
Jamming has always been a part of the Friday Night Jamboree, with musicians of all ages and levels of skill gathering around the store to play and talk about the old time music, to share songs and licks.
Here at the store we believe in supporting music education in the area. The store currently hosts structured education programs including music classes for babies and toddlers, and we have opened our space for teachers in the area to provide private lessons to the public. Weekly donations are made by our Sunday Bluegrass & Old Time Jam groups at the store to youth education programs in the area.
Here at the store, every Friday morning you will find Floyd’s youngest music students when Kari Thomas Kovick leads some of her early childhood music classes. Held on the store’s dance floor with a group of parents and young children, they are always having fun making music and dancing. Call Kari at 540-745-7331 or email her at kariok at swva.net for information about her fun musical foundations classes for babies and young children and their adults.
Now offering private lessons at the Floyd Country Store:
David Cannaday
David Cannaday offers instruction on Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Bass, Lap Dulcimer, Autoharp and Dobro. David started teaching at 15 years old. He has worked in music stores and teaching studios ever since. David plays with his own variety band “Stairwell” that offers country, bluegrass and oldies rock & roll. He is also a member of bluegrass band “Southern Rail Express”. Plus works as a sideman with many other groups as well. David has produced many recordings including his own “Inheritance Bluegrass Band with special guest Dan Tyminski”. “Virginia Bluegrass Sampler – Carry Me Back To Old Virginia”. And the most current “Alleghany Rails – A Collection of Railroad Folk Songs From Virginia’s Rail Heritage Region”. All may be purchased at The Floyd Country Store. For lessons contact David at 540-483-3373 or email Soundstopmusic@aol.com
The store also regularly supports educational programs in the area. FloydJAMS is one of the newest additions to the Junior Appalachian Musicians affiliated programs. The Store is also plays host to educational events such as the Appalachian Ramblers Reunion concert in which host Joe Wilson, executive director of the National Council for the Traditional Arts, moderated a discussion and teased out stories about the early days of the group and their place in the history of our local music. Click here to check out our upcoming events schedule!
