Dian & Mel Hughes - What a treat to welcome the Hughes to our Smyth County Jam stage! They make their home in King William, Virginia, which is also in King William County; this is up country close to Richmond. The Hughes are travelling to Nashville and on to Arizona to visit friends there. They saw the Smyth County Jam on the internet and made it a stop on their way. The Hughes are sponsors of a bluegrass jam called "BRETT-REED CHURCH BLUEGRASS JAM." It is held every third Tuesday of each month Highway 30; eights tenths of a mile north of West Point. Mel plays guitar, electric bass and sings. Dian is a sweet friendly lady who is very enthusiastic about the music, as much as anyone you'd meet. Mel says he has been twenty-eight years with a band called "Chief Powhaten Bluegrass Band". He has played with "Bent Mountain Boys" and "Virginia Travelers Bluegrass Band". He is thoroughly immersed in all phases of bluegrass music. His first band was featured on the New Dominion Barn Dance during the years of 1957 through 1961. Mel says he has known all the legends of bluegrass music; such as Bill Monroe, The Osborne Brothers Flatt and Scruggs to name just a few. He is a retired surveyor for the city of Rchmond. He has three children, two boys and a girl. Both sons are involved in some phase of music; playing, writing etc.
