BLOSSOMIN’ BONE S

Sunshine skipped across gently rolling waves. Overhead, a blanket of azure stretched for cloudless miles.

Amidst this idyllic scene, a crowd gathered along the wooden benches of the St. Simons Pier. At the center of the throng sat a troupe of meandering musicians known as Blossomin’ Bone.

The minstrels appeared seemingly by magic, instruments in hand.

Ayron Moeen stood with her guitar at the center. Her husband, Joshua “Bobby” Tyson, sat next to her cradling a banjo, cymbal anklets fastened above his bare feet. The rest of the band gathered ‘round — Amanda Syrinek on the washboard; Andrew “Skeeter” Fewox on harmonica; and Holly Bassett on the stand up bass.

“Yeehaw Holly Bassett,” Ayron clarifies with a grin and a nod.

And then, they get to work. The cymbals clink as Bobby taps his feet. As the notes pour out, passersby stop, marveling at the music and the unique players.

Both are seemingly plucked from a bygone era.

A couple dances. Children smile, drop- ping dollars into the antique coffee can before them. The band holds the audience spellbound until the song ends.

“We’re singer-songwriters,” Bobby explains to their newly-minted fans. “We mostly play our own music.”

They do know a few covers, one of those being a folk song from the 1920s.

“We aren’t good at playing other people’s music. I feel like we don’t do it justice,” Ayron adds.

That’s just fine because they have plenty of their own — Bobby, the primary songwriter, churns tunes out nearly every day. In fact, the group has recorded five albums since 2021.

“It’s crazy how many songs Bobby can write. He writes about one song a week, I swear,” Ayron says.

Amanda nods knowingly.

“He just spits them out. We have a group chat and he will be like, ‘what do you guys think of this? Here’s my tune and here are the lyrics,’” Amanda says.

Bobby’s musical interests began when he was a small child. He spent his days toying with his grandmother’s piano.

“When I was a wee kid, she had an upright lime green piano so when she babysat me I’d play on that and she’s like, ‘we’ve got to get him into music,’” he recalls. “But I’ve wanted to be in a band since I was like 11.”

Bobby and most of the gang met through the South Georgia-North Florida music scene. Ayron’s foray into music came a bit later.

“When I met Bobby, he taught me to play guitar,” she says. After they got together, she was introduced to the rest of the musicians.

“I’d known Bobby for about five years and then one day he turns up with this gorgeous woman … and I’m like, ‘who’s this broad?,’” Amanda remembers with a laugh. “She’s beautiful and she’s smart … and she plays and sings. Next thing you know, she’s busking with us.”

Busking is Blossomin’ Bone’s bread and butter. They spontaneously set up in public spaces and start playing. Like they did on this particular day, they usually draw a big crowd.

“We named one of our albums ‘State Line Schemers’ because we’ll be on the road between Georgia and Florida … we’ll set up outside of a gas station and start playing for gas money. People may see us and think we’re schemers,” Bobby says with a laugh. “We may already have the gas, but we’d rather play and maybe get it kicked down to us.”

The extra gas money comes in handy. The band spends a lot of time burning up the road, traveling between Jacksonville and Charleston. And they often pop in for gigs in the Golden Isles.

“Bobby and I live in Nahunta. Skeeter and Holly live in Jacksonville,” Ayron explains.

“Then me and my ol’ man live in Daytona,” Amanda offers.

It takes some doing to bring them all together. But when the stars align, it’s well worth the effort.

“We quit our jobs last year. I was working on Jekyll Island as a park ranger,” Ayron says. “But now, we just travel around playing. We love it. Rather than playing at a gig, only the people who want to hear you are going to stop.”

• Blossomin’ Bone’s music can be found on streaming services like Spotify. To find out where they’re boskin’ next, follow them on Instagram or Facebook.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETYʼS VICTORY BOARDʼS CUREOKE

The American Cancer Societyʼs Victory Board recently hosted Cur eoke at Bennieʼs Red Barn on St. Simons Island. The fundraiser featured a number of performers singing for the cause. The board will ho st its black-tie Victory Gala on Nov. 10 at Frederica Golf Club. For more information about the cause, visit acsvictoryboard.org

GLYNN VISUAL ARTSʼ 70TH BIRTHDAY

Glynn Visual Arts recently celebrated its 70th year with a gath ering at the art center on St. Simons Island. It was a part of a year-long program to highlight the nonprofitʼs history, as well as the art of the low country. For details on Glynn Visual Arts, visit glynnvisualarts.org.

Music And Memories To Benefit Memory Matters

Music and Memories, a fundraiser to benefit Memory Matters Glyn n, was recently held at the A.W. Jonesʼ Heritage Center on St. Simons Island. A number of musicians performed. There was food, drinks, and a silent auction. For details on Memory Matters, v isit memorymattersglynn.com.

COASTAL SYMPHONY OF GEORGIAʼS SEASON FINALE

The Coastal Symphony of Georgia recently closed out its 40th se ason with a performance at Brunswick High School. The program featured the works of Sara Kirkland Snider, Carl Reinecke, and Dimitri Shostakovich. For more information on the symphony, visit coastalsymphonyofgeorgia.org.

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Safe Harborʼs inaugural campaign, Champions for Children, recen tly raised more than $137,000 for the local nonprofit. An event celebrating the fundraising effort was held at Port City Partnerʼs Queen an d Grant event space in downtown Brunswick. The American Bombshe lls performed and Shroederʼs Market provided the food. For details, visit harborsafeharborcenterinc.org.

STAR OF COASTAL GEORGIAʼS STARGAZING

STAR of Coastal Georgia, previously known as the STAR Foundation, recently hosted its annual STARgazing low country boil at Village Creek Landing on St. Simons Island. It included food, entertainment, and a “crazy pants” contest. Proceeds from the event will benefit STARʼs work readiness programs. To learn more about STAR of Coastal Georgia, visit starofcoastalga.org.

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