Musicians Gather for John Lanham Jam Day

Players honored the late old-time fiddler with an open jam at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Owensboro.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Folk

Worn wooden acoustic instruments and a fiddle rest in a warm, brick-walled hall lit by soft afternoon light. — Musicians gathered Saturday at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Owensboro for an open jam honoring fiddler John Lanham, who died in 2021 at age 97. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Musicians celebrated "John Lanham Jam Day" at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, an event honoring old-time fiddle player John Lanham, who died in 2021 at age 97. Attendees watched performances by the Boro Bluegrass Band, the Tick Ridge Ramblers, and Shrimp & Grits.

Why it matters

The annual gathering keeps Lanham's musical legacy alive for Owensboro-area players and visitors. It also reflects the informal jam tradition that connects musicians across the region.

Lanham died in 2021 at age 97, and the event was created the same year by Randy Lanham, the Hall of Fame's education director. Attendance figures for the gathering were not reported.

The players

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum

The Owensboro institution honors bluegrass music and its performers and hosts the annual jam day.

Randy Lanham

Education director at the Hall of Fame who created the event in 2021 to honor his father.

The details

Musicians played a broad selection of common songs together in the Hall of Fame lobby in an open jam format, with participants taking turns. The event was created to honor Lanham, and former students of Randy Lanham, including Emily Mills, took part.

2021: John Lanham died and Randy Lanham created the event.
Saturday, November 7, 2026: John Lanham Jam Day was held at the Hall of Fame.

Season Trajectory

The jam day extends the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum's role as a regional keeper of old-time and bluegrass traditions. Informal jam sessions like this remain a primary way these styles are passed between generations of players.

Visitors to the Hall of Fame can attend the annual jam day and watch local bands perform. The event is held at the museum in Owensboro.

The takeaway

Community jam sessions preserve regional music traditions by giving musicians a place to play together and learn from one another. Attending a local event like this is a direct way to support those traditions.