logo
Published on Birthplace of Country Music (http://www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org)

Virginia Highlands Community College Old-Time Music Program

Virginia Highlands Community College Old-Time Music Program
Center for Business & Industry at Virginia Highlands Community College [1] proudly supports the Old Time Music Program, which offers classes in Fiddle and Banjo. The purpose of this program is to preserve traditional music, a vital part of America’s cultural heritage.

Instructors Biographies

Sam Gobble, an enthusiastic supporter of traditional American music began “fiddlin’” around in the early 1980’s. Two decades later, he’s accomplished in fiddle, banjo and guitar and has ten-years experience teaching music lessons. His passion for old time music led him to co-found the Todd Jam in 2000 at the Todd General Store in Todd, NC. Sam resides in Mountain City, TN.

Doug Dorschug has played the banjo for over forty years. He recieved a Grammy nomination in 1988 and is probably best known as a member of the Highwoods Stringband, a band that helped revive nationwide interest in old time music in the 1970’s. Since then he’s appeared frequently at the Barter Theatre, most recently in Fire On the Mountain, and as musical director for the original productions of Keep On the Sunnyside and Man of Constant Sorrow. In 2003, he represented this area at the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife. Doug produces and records traditional music of this area and lives in Laurel Bloomery, TN.

Click Here to Download a Printable Brochure of the Old Time Music Prgram for Fall 2006 [2] Require Adobe Acrobat Reader. To download a free version, visit www.adobe.com [3]


Special Events


  • Free Concert on Thursday, August 24, 2006, in room 605 on the Virginia Highlands Community College campus from 7 – 9 p.m.
  • Spencer Memorial Concert Series: A Crooked Road Sampler: Music from Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail Monday, September 11, 2006, at the Barter Theatre at 7:30 pm. Admission is free with VHCC ID or $10.00 for Community Admission
  • Concert/jam session for both classes Friday, November 3, 2006, in room 605 on the Virginia Highlands Community College campus from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

  • Source URL:
    http://www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/node/66