Gathering ’round at Grandpa’s

Gathering ’round at Grandpa’s

Music shop offers live entertainment and a space to jam

Story by JEN CALHOUN | Photography by MATT LEDGER

At noon on a typical Tuesday inside Grandpa’s Music in Westmoreland, Lyle “Grandpa” Cook is trying hard to make his voice heard over the sounds in the background. Musicians from far and wide have come to the music shop for their weekly jam session.

Lyle Cook has operated Grandpa’s Music Shop for many years. He sometimes plays with other musicians during the monthly musical event, Grandpa’s Opry.

But as loud as the sounds are right now, they aren’t coming from musical instruments. “They haven’t even started playing yet,” Cook says with a smile. “They’re just in there swappin’ lies with each other. They’ll get to playing some music eventually, but right now, they’re just in there hanging out.”

Since the shop opened about seven years ago, it’s grown into a second home for professional and amateur musicians alike. The shop sells used and new instruments, but it also offers music lessons from Joe Caverlee — when he’s not on the road playing fiddle in country music superstar Tracy Lawrence’s band, that is. On Tuesdays, informal jams crop up around a bowl of beans, and newcomers are encouraged to join the circle if they want. But they can always just tap their toes if they don’t. “I’ll tell you what I’ve seen over and over again,” says Cook, an 85-year-old musician who played bass fiddle in various bluegrass bands for about 40 years. “There’ll be a circle of jam, and somebody will come in with a guitar and get way back away from the circle, all bashful and shy. Once they get the hang of it, the next thing you know they’re right up there in the circle with them.”

Grandpa’s Music sells new and used instruments.

GRANDPA’S OPRY

Another big draw for the shop is Grandpa’s Opry, live performances that take place the third Saturday of each month. “We have a staff band, and they’re paid entertainers,” Cook says. “The auditorium holds about 100 people if they’re real friendly.”

And while most types of music are welcome at Grandpa’s, he prefers to stick to Tennessee’s music roots on Opry nights. “We usually have acts that play lots of old country music and some bluegrass and a little gospel towards the end,” Cook says. “We like to feature music from the 1950s and ’60s. Sometimes they’ll play newer music, but we try to keep the older stuff alive. You can go anyplace and hear the modern music, but the old stuff is dying out fast.” 

Where the sounds are

Grandpa’s Music, at 1033 Park Street in Westmoreland, sells Blueridge acoustic guitars, Kentucky mandolins and other, mostly used, instruments. The shop also offers music lessons with Joe Caverlee and hosts live performances. Each Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to about 3 p.m., musicians of all skill levels hold a jam session, usually featuring old country tunes and gospel. Everybody is welcome. On the third Saturday of every month, Grandpa’s Opry takes place. Live performances begin around 6 p.m., and admission is $5. For more information, visit the Lyle Cook (Grandpa’s Music) Facebook page or call 615-644-6874.