Down-home bluegrass jams

For eight years now, residents and guests of Riderwood retirement community in Silver Spring have gathered to play bluegrass, roots and country music. The musicians began informally in a small classroom and now perform every few months, or whenever they feel like it, in a 200-seat performance hall for residents and guests.

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Ron Davies and Barb Diederich sing bluegrass music. The pair are members of the Lonesome Pine Bluegrass Band at Riderwood retirement community in Silver Spring.

Lisa M. Bolton / The Washington Post

The Lonesome Bluegrass Band performs lively bluegrass music to a full performance hall at Riderwood retirement community in Silver Spring.

Lisa M. Bolton / The Washington Post

Acoustic bluegrass guitarist Ed Schaeffer plays fast guitar licks during the toe-tapping music jam with the Lonesome Pine Bluegrass Band.

Lisa M. Bolton / The Washington Post

Pat Kral sings bluegrass and plays auto harp with the Lonesome Pine Bluegrass Band.

Lisa M. Bolton / The Washington Post

Residents at Riderwood retirement community enjoy the impromptu bluegrass jam performed by the Lonesome Pine Bluegrass Band. The band consists of residents and some guest musicians.

Lisa M. Bolton / The Washington Post

The Lonesome Pine Bluegrass Band plays to a full performance hall at Riderwood retirement community in Silver Spring.

Lisa M. Bolton / The Washington Post

Bluegrass musician Doris Justis giggles before singing with the Lonesome Pine Bluegrass Band.

Lisa M. Bolton / The Washington Post

Ron Davies sings at the bluegrass jam.

Lisa M. Bolton / The Washington Post

Henry Plotkin, 85, plays bluegrass fiddle with the Lonesome Pine Bluegrass Band at Riderwood retirement community, where he is a resident. Fellow resident Bruce Clark, in green, organized the jam and played banjo.

Lisa M. Bolton / The Washington Post

The Lonesome Pine Bluegrass Band consists of residents and guests of the Riderwood retirement community in Silver Spring. The eldest member, 85-year-old Henry Plotkin, left, has been playing the fiddle for 80 years.

Lisa M. Bolton / The Washington Post

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