Fifty residents enjoyed the concert, and afterward Watkins shared her family’s tradition of playing country-style bluegrass.
“We used to call ourselves the Beanfield Band on Squaw Point, and played a lot of local festivals,” she said. “We never let the grass grow underneath us.”
They played on the Navajo Reservation, in Farmington, Los Alamos, Bluff, Mexican Hat, Montrose and Grand Junction.
Watkins, 88, helped to start the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown. Every Labor Day for decades, her family hosted their own bluegrass festival at their Squaw Point home in Dolores County.
“Musicians would come in from all over, and there would be tents set up all around,” Watkins recalled. “We had a lot of fun. There were so many good players back then.”
Watkins excelled at guitar, and had a great ear.
“Once I heard something once, I knew how it went,” she said. “We learned from each other and the radio.”
She fondly remembers creating music with her brothers — Robert who played mandolin and fiddle, and Francis, a great singer.
“We had a wonderful time camping and playing together all the time,” she says. “My son’s family is carrying on the bluegrass tradition.”
Last Nickel’s down-home songs about miners, hollers, gypsies and country living resonated with Watkins.
“I really enjoyed y’all,” she told the band. “Bluegrass is about telling stories, that’s what’s important, it’s wonderful.”
Kim McDonnell, Vista Grande’s activity director, said live music is therapeutic for the residents.
“Their faces light up, and even those who don’t move well will be tapping their feet,” she said. “If anyone else wants to share their musical talent for our residents they should give us a call.”
jmimiaga@the-journal.com
