Musical bluegrass and gospel traditions have returned to Mingo, with the scheduling of "Pickin' in Mingo" every Sunday afternoon at the old Mingo School, now called the Mingo Community Center.
In the 1980s, the Woody Simmons Band and the original Black Mountain Blue Grass Boys would meet behind the Beale Store in Mingo at Holly Bush Road. Thirty years later, one of the Woody Simmons band members, Bob Bright, has joined the weekly musical event, which welcomes listeners and musicians alike.
Last weekend, visitors enjoyed the music of the Mingo Band, including Gerald Channell, Doris Wood and Bob Bright, the gospel songs of Roger and Trish Neeley of Valley Head, traditional music by Steve White of Slaty Fork and "Music you Remember" by The Raglands of Mingo.
The weekly event will be held this week at a special time, 4 to 6 p.m., to follow the memorial service of the Valley Head Community Homecoming on Sunday.
