Valley Rewind: Greene Acres

This 1990 photograph shows Greene Acres, a picking parlor that was located in Swannanoa. In 1980, local musicians Walt Davis and Ray Greene began gathering in Ray’s kitchen to play songs they had learned early on in their lives. Before too long, more musicians began getting invited to the kitchen - then others would come to listen to them play. Soon, the regular Monday night event outgrew Ray's kitchen and was moved to an expanded cinder block workshop in the backyard and was dubbed “the picking parlor.” During summer months, it was common to see more than 30 people come out to enjoy the show. The picking parties at Greene Acres were regular events, but they were by no means formal or too wild. Ray Greene made it clear that the event was a family affair, with “no drinking, swearing, or ill behavior.” Sparse decorations in the picking parlor included Ray’s rock and mineral collection as well as newspaper clippings. The only refreshment came from a coffee urn, and a cup sat beside it for donations.