More than 125 people turned out Saturday for the fourth annual “Karl Shifflet and Friends” bluegrass music show at Rockdale’s historic Kay Theater, a benefit event that raised $2,500 for the Minerva Volunteer Fire Department.
The four concerts have now raised about $8,000 for the Minerva firefighters, said Jason Jenkins, local Edward Jones agent who co-sponsored the event with fellow agent Matt Langwell.
The musicians provided toe-tapping bluegrass and drew constant ovations for their traditional bluegrass favorites, solos and vocals.
Several of the numbers were in tribute to former bluegrass great, the late Jake Jenkins, whose career was cut short in a tragic plane crash in 2011 that also claimed his parents, Dan and Dorothy Jenkins of Minerva.
Top rove “ the a pple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Eli Jenkins, 23, Jake Jenkins’ son, opened the show’s second set.
The J enkins f amily music tradition was further evidenced by the show’s opening act, guitar virtuoso Sam Jenkins, 27, of Bryan, who is the son of Jason and Katina Jenkins.
Pianist Dyan Shelander provided a variety of music before the show.
Saturday’s audience left no doubt a fifth concert will be welcomed next year.
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