Bluegrass music is playing loud and clear the second Saturday of each month in Jonesville, Va. and it doesn't cost a dime. At the first event, held July 9, about 400 people showed up for a toe-tapping good time and listened to music played by the Peters Brothers & the Lee County Bluegrass and a five-member gospel group called Upward Bound.

"It's something to do that's good, clean fun," said Dianne Collins, event organizer.

Collins decided she was traveling too far to hear bluegrass music and began working with the Jonesville Parks and Recreation Committee to hold monthly bluegrass shows in the Cumberland Bowl Park. Music plays from 7 p.m. until the park closes at 11 p.m.

Collins plans to keep musicians coming to Jonesville through October and to begin again next year in May.

Musicians in Harlan County would be welcome to play there.

"I'd be very interested in that," said Collins. "This area is so rich with talent."

Her plan, she said, is to promote and preserve the music of the southwest Virginia, northeast Tennessee and southeast Kentucky.

"It would be a shame to lose our heritage of such a wonderful thing," she said.

The Aug. 13 talent schedule includes the Sugarcane Cloggers, the Appalachian Ladies Trio and the bluegrass-gospel group Heaven Sent. Collins is waiting for two additional groups to confirm. She has bookings to fill for the coming months.

"We enjoyed playing and the 300 to 400 people that showed up seemed to enjoy it too," said Arthur Peter of the Peters Brothers & Lee County Bluegrass. "Oh yeah, we'll be back next year."

Peter said his group has musicians come and go, but he and his brother have been playing together for a long time. He hopes to see the Jonesville bluegrass continue and to grow.

"If people would just support it," he said.

Jonesville Mayor Beryl Greer said that folks from Harlan should come on over. He used to commute to work in Evarts every day, he said, and it is not that far.

"I just love the music," Greer said. "This is quite a good place, with no alcohol, to have an enjoyable time. We got a great lawn to spread out on, and the churches will be selling food so you don't even have to bring anything."

Anyone interested in hearing good music just an hour's drive away or playing at one of the upcoming venues can get more information from Collins at (276) 346-2622 or the mayor's office in Jonesville at (276) 346-1151.