Moved by the Music

You don’t usually find the words “bluegrass” and “church” in the same sentence. But at the Shadow Hills Presbyterian Church, deep in San Fernando Valley horse country, bluegrass is a way of life.

“Bluegrass and gospel have been an accepted part of our worship for years. Sometimes we even do Bach and Beethoven on the banjos,” said 38-year-old Ed Drenten, a 13-year member of the all-ages congregation.

It’s all part of the open-minded music policy of the church, he said.

“The music minister plays guitar. People come here who haven’t played for years, and the next thing you know, they’re up there picking or singing!” said Drenten, who plays banjo and bass guitar, and whose 10-year-old son plays fiddle.

Drenten estimates that about 15 members of the church play an instrument.

This Sunday, as part of its annual Autumn Festival, Drenten and the church will present “The First Annual Shadow Hills Bluegrass Contest.”

“Last year we were trying to figure out how to expand the Autumn Festival to two days, and I asked, ‘What do you want to do?’ All I got were blank stares, so I just said, ‘Fine! We’ll have a bluegrass festival.’

“We’d missed a couple of contests that used to exist, like one at Lake Casitas. The Calico Banjo and Fiddle Contest didn’t happen last year, so it seemed like a natural addition to our music program.”

The contest--open to all ages--will follow the time-honored format of categories for beginning, intermediate and advanced banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and “other”--usually dobro or dulcimer.

“But I’ll even take Jew’s-harp or spoons,” he said, joking.

Although the names of judges for musical contests are usually withheld, Drenten divulged that Kenny Blackwell, mandolinist for the Laurel Canyon Ramblers (as well as instrument repairer at Blue Ridge Pickin’ Parlor), would be on hand.

Prizes will include cash as well as handmade belt buckles, he said.

“But the most interesting part is after the contest, when everybody’s done their best, we all just go play in a circle and jam. That’s what it’s about,” he said.

Besides bluegrass, the Autumn Festival will feature a magic show, vendor booths, children’s games, and a Saturday night dinner dance, featuring the group Fort Worth West, with Kenny Blackwell.

Drenten hopes the contest will fill a need. “It comes down to where you have to travel all the way to San Diego or Santa Barbara to go enter a contest,” he said. “And bluegrass is such a family thing. It brings families together in so many ways, so we’re giving back to the community.”

“It’s just a trial, but if it succeeds, we’ll do it next year. To be able to sit in the hay and watch youngsters and adults do the thing they love best, I can’t imagine a better way to spend a day.”

BE THERE

Shadow Hills Bluegrass Festival, 10156 Johanna Ave., Sunland, (818) 353-2500 or (818) 767-7267. Admission is free to spectators, contestant fees are $5 for one category and $10 for two. Registration is at 11:30 a.m. The contest starts at noon.