Northshore Bluegrass

Hearing bluegrass on the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain might seem out of place in a state better known for jazz, Cajun, and Zydeco music. But on select Friday nights in Covington, Louisiana, the sounds of banjos, fiddles, and tight harmonies fill the air, offering a different kind of musical tradition.

Circle of musicians playing bluegrass at the Northshore bluegrass jam session.

a northshore bluegrass celebration

Under the gazebo at the Covington Farmers Market, a couple dozen musicians come together for a monthly bluegrass jam session. Hosted by the Northshore Traditional Music Society, these sessions are a celebration of acoustic string music.

“We want people to feel welcome,” says Chris Talley, president of the society. “We don’t hold back. We play fast and we play hard.” Players range from beginners to semi-professionals, and the atmosphere is inclusive—anyone with a string instrument and a love of traditional music can join in.

covington bluegrass featured on tv

Watch this Heart of Louisiana story on the Northshore bluegrass jam session

passing down the music

For Talley and others in the group, the jam is about more than performance—it’s about keeping bluegrass alive. “We see a fair amount of adults who want to learn to play, who are getting into it,” Talley says. But he emphasizes the need for youth involvement. “That’ll be the future of the music.”

help for beginners

To support new players, the group hosts beginner jams on the second Monday of each month in nearby Abita Springs. It’s a chance for novices to practice in a low-pressure setting and build confidence before joining the main session.

Strumming and picking bluegrass favorites

honest music with deep roots

Steve Buchholz, a co-founder of the music society, says bluegrass speaks to something timeless. “It’s a simple music, but it’s an honest music. It has emotion to it.” While Louisiana isn’t traditionally seen as a bluegrass stronghold, Buchholz notes, “This isn’t really a pocket in the Appalachians,” but groups like theirs are creating pockets of bluegrass interest in places like Slidell and Lafayette.

Bluegrass is played on the Northshore at the Covington Farmers Market gazebo

bluegrass – a music and social tradition

At the heart of the Northshore bluegrass movement is connection. “It was created in an environment where people are sharing with each other,” Talley says. Whether you’re playing a solo or simply strumming along, the chords may be basic—but the sense of community is rich. And if you don’t play at all, you’re still welcome to sit back, listen, and enjoy the music.