Mountain Gypsy Music – the local musical duo of Curtis and Kim Jones – are sharing their original sound in Cherokee and surrounding counties. Their unique sound is a mixture of bluegrass, mountain and gypsy music, making their original and cover songs popular with audiences.
Curtis and Kim of Blairsville, Ga., have been together for around seven years. Self-taught musician Curtis has always had a “fascination with sound.”
He said his mother told him that, even as an infant, she would catch him tapping his foot along to Hank Williams in his crib. At age 11, he began playing the banjo and fiddle.
Still, it wasn’t until attending his first bluegrass festival at age 15 that he knew this was what he wanted to do in life. Since then, he has mastered 23 instruments, but his favorite is his guitar, which is good since he’s been called one of the world’s fastest acoustic guitarists.
Kim, who has been creating music for less than five years. never imagined herself as a musician. She sees Curtis as an inspiration, calling him “extraordinary” and “miraculous.”
She said Curtis pushes her to be a better musician because she “aims to meet his level and standards.” Kim is the duo’s vocalist and loves to play upright bass.
She also enjoys writing original songs, something she said comes most naturally to her. Her passion for writing stems from her lifelong love of writing poetry. Kim has a book of her poetry, Looking at Dreams, available for purchase at Dean’s Music & Art in Andrews and The Lavender Crow Apothecary & Tea Shoppe in Hayesville.
As a duo with varying levels of musical experience, they still don’t like to think they compromise; instead, they find balance and harmony by finding songs and sounds that work for both and highlight each of their strengths.
Their favorite part of performing is forming a deep connection with their audience. Their goal is for those listening to their music to “forget their stress and let their music touch their souls.”
When asked about their favorite moment performing, they both shared the same story of a time they performed in a nursing home in Dahlonega, Ga. During their rendition of “I’ll Fly Away,” three men, who were primarily bedridden and hadn’t moved yet during the performance, got up to sing and dance with them.
“It really showed the power and agelessness of music,” Curtis said.
The duo also has a passion for teaching others to create music. They hold an annual weeklong bluegrass camp in Virginia and teach lessons locally.
Curtis encourages his students to learn from musicians they wouldn’t usually listen to. Kim thinks it’s essential for all musicians to be themselves and avoid feeling like they must copy others to succeed.
By the end of this year, Mountain Gypsy Music will have performed an estimated 425 shows. The duo has many goals for the future, including finishing their album of original songs and music, which they have been working on for the last two years.
Details: Visit mountaingypsymusic.com.