This last October, Jim Shumate of Hickory turned 88.

The accomplished fiddler, who played with Bill Monroe as well as Flatt and Scruggs, performed with the Bluegrass Festival in Wilkes County this past May. It is good to know that he was still appearing in public, fine musician that he has been over the years. Shumate did not make music his sole career as he worked in the furniture business for most of his life. But those early years were spent with some of the most famous musicians in bluegrass.

He grew up on a farm in Wilkes County and took on the banjo and guitar as well as the fiddle. Recordings of Fiddlin' Arthur Smith so inspired him that he set aside all but the fiddle.

Bill Monroe heard him over WHKY radio station in Hickory, and Shumate joined his band in early 1945, about the same time that Lester Flatt did.

Shumate recruited Earl Scruggs to join up with Monroe and auditioned with Monroe in a Nashville hotel room. With the addition of Scruggs to the group, it took on the distinctive sound that forms bluegrass today.

When Howdy Forrester returned from service in October of 1945 to claim his place as fiddler with Monroe, Jim Shumate returned to Hickory and the furniture business.

In January of 1948, Flatt and Scruggs founded the Foggy Mountain Boys. Jim Shumate played and travelled with them for almost a year. While he returned to the business world, he continued to play with various groups and at various times. Apparently he found the balance just right. The grueling travel schedule of the professional musician has not been a millstone around his neck, and it certainly meant that he has had a more stable life.

One of my favorite MerleLest memories is of Shumate and others who performed as a tribute to all being class-of-Monroe alumni. It was an incredible treat, only partially spoiled by a woman on a cell phone a few rows behind me who was describing cloud formations to her listener. I should have asked her to cut it out.

Merlefest 2010 lineup announced

Next year's Merlefest lineup has just been announced. It sounds like a great one. The schedule of performers can be accessed at www.MerleFest.org.

The principal headliner will be Steve Martin who will be performing on Saturday during the four-day festival. He is currently touring to promote his new album which has been warmly received. It includes as great many songs of his creation. That show ought to be great fun.

The Kruger Brothers will be playing all four days which was good news. Last year I became a groupie and sought them out at every opportunity.

The Nashville Bluegrass Band, the Travelin' McCourys. the Lovell Sisters, Tony Williamson,

Jim Lauderdale, Mitch Greenhill, Dailey and Vincent, Rhonda Vincent, and David Holt are just a few of the many others already scheduled. It looks like a fine cross-section of talent.

Tickets are already available.

Avis O. Gachet can be reached by e-mail at agachet@earthlink.net.