More than 200 musicians have participated in the jam since it began on Feb. 7, 2000, a chilly night when seven hardy pickers gathered at a now-defunct restaurant on Main Street. The jam was quite mobile in those early days, moving to BTs and Mocha Joe’s before settling at Joe’s Diner from the summer of 2000 to 2003.

The jam’s popularity steadily grew. The move to The Coffee Mill in June, 2003, exposed the music to a slew of new players and fans. Situated in an open window facing Main Street, the jam attracts a loyal following of townies and Radford University students. A normal Monday sees about 15 pickers and twice as many fans at The Coffee Mill.

The jam has welcomed many guests over the years, from beginners to bluegrass stars that include Butch Robbins, Ron Stewart, Johnny Williams, Bill Yates and Scott Fore. You never know who might show up each week!