The future music of Muhlenberg is the mission

Muhlenberg County’s musical past is well known around here, with international stars such as Dave Rich, Merle Travis and the Everly Brothers hailing from these parts. When it comes to the future of music in the county, two locals are forming a plan, and a non-profit to foster the tradition.

Muhlenberg Music Mission is an organization being formed by Ben Duvall and Benjamin Tod, to provide local children access to musical instruments and lessons. “Basically the idea is to connect musicians in the area with youth,” Tod said.

With a wealth of local players, and a need for music instruction, their mission is to create a place where the county’s youth can go for training. Tod and Duvall hope to offer general music lessons and instruments to school-aged children, and allow for reduced price or free lessons for those who aren’t able to afford them.

“Music coming out of Muhlenberg County is not what it was 20, 30, 40 years ago,” Duvall said, when acts like Rich, Travis, Bill Harlan, and even back to Mose Rager were on the scene. “Everybody thinks if you’re chasing music you’ve got to be in Nashville, but that’s not the case. There’s plenty of good talent in this community,” Duvall said. He is hoping to bring them together to help build the future of the Muhlenberg sound.

Duvall remembers taking music lessons in Central City, at Music Unlimited when he was young. He took guitar, banjo, and learned to play drums there. He said they hope to provide lessons to kids as young as four, through late teens, and hold quarterly concerts as well.

Lessons in guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and possibly banjo will be available. Reading music and learning music theory will be part of the curriculum too. The start date depends on how fundraising goes, Duvall said.

Duvall grew up in the county, and through the years played in different bands with friends. In 2020, he and his wife, Jennie, opened Sip & Spin in Greenville, a coffee shop and record store. His love of local music drew him to Benjamin Tod, a recent transplant to the county, moving to the county four years ago.

Tod is originally from Sumner County, Tennessee, but he would spend time with family here. His band, Lost Dog Street Band, earned a number five spot on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart in 2019, with their album “Weight of a Trigger”.

Duvall said they are meeting with others about the non-profit over the coming weeks, and putting together a board. They are also planning a concert for Nov. 20 to raise money for the project. The show will feature a lineup of local talent, to be announced soon.