The Bluegrass Standard - October 2021

although I have to say I was already pickin’ pretty good!”

After the show, Jackson’s dad told Jim McReynolds that if they ever needed a banjo player to keep young Carl in mind. When Jackson was 14 years old, McReynolds called and asked if Jackson could tour them.

“God blessed me so much.

Jim and Jesse opened so many doors for me to play at the Grand Ole Opry and the new bluegrass festivals that were coming along. I spent the summer of 1968 and the next several years on the road and enjoyed many wonderful times with Ole Miss was playing that them. On our first trip out, Carl Jackson is a multiple night; I wanted to stay home which was about two weeks, Grammy award winner. and listen to the game on I got mighty homesick for The Louisville, Mississippi the radio. But my dad made my parents and sister. But I native picked up the banjo me go, and I loved the show learned so much about the at the age of eight and never once I got there.” music business, singing, looked back. His father and stage presence, and more. It two uncles had a bluegrass That night changed the was like I was on the front band called The Country course of Jackson’s life. row of bluegrass school! I’m Partners, and young Jackson During an intermission, thankful my parents, my often joined them. “My Jackson wandered backstage principal, and Jim and Jesse father was a big Jim and with his dad, and they met recognized and supported Jesse fan, and when I was Jim and Jesse. “My dad the talent God gave me.” eleven or twelve, he took mentioned that I played the Jackson went on to play me with him to see Jim and banjo, and before I knew it, with The Sullivan Family, Jesse play on a Saturday I was on the stage playing and his group, The Country night in Reform, Mississippi. with them. The crowd went Store, before being asked to I remember it well because wild because I was just a kid, tour with Glen Campbell.

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