Robert Davis retired from his job with Pennsylvania Mutual Life Insurance and moved near family – right across from Denny Conley in Warsaw. Denny spied a mandolin Robert carried into the house, and being a music lover, promptly invited him over to play music. This became a daily practice, and soon Robert invited his brother, Dr. John Davis, to sit in with them. They made it a regular Thursday night event, and not long after, John asked George and Waunita Young to join them. Friends and family began gathering to enjoy the music, and soon the group grew and strengthened. Dennis and his wife, marge, migrated with the snowbirds to Florida for the winter, and they didn’t leave house keys for the musicians. By now, keeping up momentum and bonding in the music, John arranged for a place in the Grace Village dining room to play weekly sessions. They took their microphones and amplifiers, and left them there through the week. The Grace Village residents were delighted, and it worked well for the music group. The musicians grew from the original few to as many as 15, playing guitar, mandolin, base, banjo, violin, steel and piano, and singing country variety and gospel tunes. Regular listeners from surrounding towns, Grace Villagers and family and friends amount to 70-150 people. The JAM (impromptu, unrehearsed music) became a “performance driven” jam by invitation only. Occasionally a featured person or group is invited to add variety spark and interest. A celebration is in motion for Oct. 10, marking 10 years of committed, voluntary performance by this very unique group. Old friends and the public are welcome to visit in the Grace Village dining room from 7 to 9 p.m.every Thursday to enjoy the jam. Contact Waunita Young at 551-3529 for more information.
