The Herald-News - News Story

Cox boys pickin' in Rhea: Father and sons bring bluegrass to Rhea County and beyond

Visit the Dayton McDonald's this Thursday and the sound of bluegrass pickings will waft through the air - but the players themselves may be surprising.

Jason Cox, a single dad who was born and raised in Dayton, and his two sons, 11-year-old Hunter and 9-year-old CJ, all have a natural bent toward music.

Neither of the boys have had formal musical lessons, but Hunter was taught how to play the guitar at age 7 and later learned the banjo, mandolin and bass from an instructional DVD.

After watching it for a couple of hours, he picked up on the skills and began to teach his younger brother how to jam on the bass and mandolin.

Over a year ago, the boys and their father decided to take their talent public and started picking bluegrass under the name "The Cox Family." Jason typically plays the guitar and sings, and his sons accompany him with several instruments.

"They do such a great job," Jason said of his boys. "What I enjoy the most is being able to be with my boys - it's time well spent."

The family trio is broadcast live at Yonder Holler Bluegrass radio station in Rockwood, Tenn., nearly every Friday, according to Jason. They have also played in jamborees, fall festivals, gospel singings and Dayton's Strawberry Festival.

Thanks to the assistance of fellow music-lover George Thacker, the family is now booking events left and right, including the Lincoln Day Republican dinner at Rhea County High School on March 20. Someday, said Thacker, he'd like to play with them at the Grand Ole Opry.

The Cox Family also hopes to record an album in the near future.

"If you didn't know how young the boys were, you'd still think they were talented," said Thacker. "There is something about them that gets me. Everywhere they go people are
talking about them."

Jason said he chose to explore bluegrass - commonly known as mountain music - because it reminds him of his lifestyle growing up in East Tennessee in an old, rickety house.

"You can listen to a good bluegrass group, and it will be ringing in your ears," said Jason. "You grow to love it."

The Cox Family's next local booking is at Dayton's McDonald's this Thursday at 7 p.m., where they will be the featured performers.

Michelle Friesen can be reached at michelle.friesen@rheaheraldnews.com.