Ozark Folk Center Craft Village
Meet Musician Gresham McMillion
Visitors to the Ozark Folk Center know him as the “Best Bass Player in the Known Universe,” but that’s not how Gresham McMillion describes himself. “I don’t like to brag,” said the blushing red-headed young man who started playing music at the Ozark Folk Center in 2000.
His music career started when he was 10-years-old. Gresham and his brother were going to bluegrass festivals in Louisiana with their mother. She plays guitar, piano and sings. “My brother and I were bored,” said Gresham. “So I started playing bass and my brother played mandolin. Most parents have to push their kids to practice, but with us, it was the opposite.”
Gresham seemed to fit naturally with the big stringed bass. “I think it picked me,” he said. “The man who started us in bluegrass played the bass.”
Gresham’s family first came to Mountain View in 1997. After they moved here, his brother got into the Music Roots program in the Mountain View schools. The whole family came to hear him play at the end of year concert. The next year, they all came and auditioned.
“I started playing at the Folk Center in 2000,” said Gresham. “To me it’s like one big giant family. I kinda feel like I’ve grown up here.”
In addition to playing music at the Folk Center, Gresham loves to travel. He’s been to Ireland 5 times and is headed back there when the Folk Center’s season closes in November. He enjoys sharing music with visitors to the Instrument Shop. He also loves working with the two donkeys, Whiskey and Tango.
When asked about his plans for the future, Gresham was clear. “I plan on playing at the Folk Center. I don’t want to be anywhere else but the Folk Center.”
You can visit Gresham and the other musicians in the Instrument Shop at the Ozark Folk Center Wednesday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission to the Craft Village is $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for children.
Visitors to the Ozark Folk Center know him as the “Best Bass Player in the Known Universe,” but that’s not how Gresham McMillion describes himself. “I don’t like to brag,” said the blushing red-headed young man who started playing music at the Ozark Folk Center in 2000.
His music career started when he was 10-years-old. Gresham and his brother were going to bluegrass festivals in Louisiana with their mother. She plays guitar, piano and sings. “My brother and I were bored,” said Gresham. “So I started playing bass and my brother played mandolin. Most parents have to push their kids to practice, but with us, it was the opposite.”
Gresham seemed to fit naturally with the big stringed bass. “I think it picked me,” he said. “The man who started us in bluegrass played the bass.”
Gresham’s family first came to Mountain View in 1997. After they moved here, his brother got into the Music Roots program in the Mountain View schools. The whole family came to hear him play at the end of year concert. The next year, they all came and auditioned.
“I started playing at the Folk Center in 2000,” said Gresham. “To me it’s like one big giant family. I kinda feel like I’ve grown up here.”
In addition to playing music at the Folk Center, Gresham loves to travel. He’s been to Ireland 5 times and is headed back there when the Folk Center’s season closes in November. He enjoys sharing music with visitors to the Instrument Shop. He also loves working with the two donkeys, Whiskey and Tango.
When asked about his plans for the future, Gresham was clear. “I plan on playing at the Folk Center. I don’t want to be anywhere else but the Folk Center.”
You can visit Gresham and the other musicians in the Instrument Shop at the Ozark Folk Center Wednesday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission to the Craft Village is $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for children.