Pickin’ and Grinnin’
My dad and a few friends often gathered in our kitchen on Friday or Saturday nights for pickin’ and grinnin’. Instruments included guitars, banjo, fiddle, and an occasional mandolin. They made music with laughter as well as instruments.
Pickin’ and grinnin’ refers to playing musical instruments while having a good time.
Instruments usually have strings such as guitar or banjo. Musicians may not play the best, but they play with enthusiasm. Favorite songs fill the air.
The 1969-1997 television show, Hee Haw, made pickin’ and grinnin’ a more common expression.
Hosts Buck Owens and Roy Clark frequently said it. All the performers looked and sounded happy as a lark.
The dulcimer makes me grin.
Jean Ritchie is one of the best-known dulcimer musicians. She has traveled the world playing and singing Appalachian music.
My dad and I shared an appreciation for the dulcimer. We made the one in the photo above. (Actually, he did the work while I did whatever he told me to do.) He made and gifted several others.
Music makes our world a better place. Enjoy and share!
“Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:19 NIV).
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8 thoughts on “Pickin’ and Grinnin’”
The dulcimer that y’all made is gorgeous, Diana! The phrase “Pickin’ and Grinnin” is a perfect description of what how one feels when playing a stringed instrument – it makes one happy! And yes, I remember Hee Haw quite well.
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. I was really pleased with the final results. As I explained in the post, Dad deserves all the credit. He did all the carving. Blessings.
Loved the pick in’ and grinning’. Complete with a trip back to the old times with Hee Haw!
Thank you, Joyce. I had fun remembering and writing this one. Blessings, my friend.
The dulcimer is beautiful, Diana. My mom’s and dad’s families play music. My uncle has played fiddle for some of Nashville’s great. Every family reunion was filled with music. Thanks for the reminder. 💕
Something else we have in common, Gail. I would take nothing for those memories. Thank you. ❤️🎶
I went to images of Roy and Buck in my mind before I could get your post opened. I remember as a young child in southern Indiana how folks (not mine) would get together on a Friday or Saturday night and play music. So much fun. Later, I remember our Saturday nights were to pile in the car and drive around listening to the Grand Ole Opry. We didn’t have a radio in the home. What a simpler time. Thank you for taking me back Ms. Diana.
So glad you enjoyed your stroll down memory lane, J.D. That definitely was a simpler time. Blessings.