Jim Smoak, Honeydrippers pickin’ & grinnin’ at The Depot December 1

Continuing a  tradition that started 10 years ago, The Depot railroad museum is proud  to host Pekin banjoist Jim Smoak and the Honeydrippers for an afternoon of music and fun.

The event is Saturday, Dec. 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. and will be in The Depot’s Monon Auditorium.

Tickets are $5 each. And will be available at the door. The Depot will be serving refreshments of cookies and hot cider. During concert intermissions, audience members will have time to view exhibits, including the large operating HO model of Washington County which depicts Monon operations in Salem, Pekin and Campbellsburg during the period 1957 to 1964.

Smoak has been playing the banjo since he was a young boy growing up in South Carolina. He quickly began attracting audiences who enjoyed his style of playing country and bluegrass. He has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, playing backup for Bill Monroe. Smoak was the featured musician for 20 years at Bardstown, Kentucky.

Smoak has written many of the songs he plays. He also teaches banjo and provides music for private parties and other events. His repertoire includes many railroad songs which makes The Depot, a replica of the Monon Railroad’s Salem station, an appropriate venue for his show.

Joining Smoak are the Honeydrippers which include Brian Allen, guitar; Rob Whitmer, bass; and Smoak’s daughter, Johanna Rippey, vocals. There will also be a fiddle player.

The Depot is part of the John Hay Center and is located at 206 S. College Ave, two blocks from the Salem Square.

UPDATE: Pekin Banjoist Jim Smoak, has received word that Mike Cleveland will be available to join Smoak and The Honeydrippers for Saturday's concert, which is 1 to 4 p.m.

Cleveland's unique handling of the fiddle has made him a favorite with audiences. He frequently appears on television and has carried country and bluegrass music to many foreign countries.

The Depot is at 206 South College Ave., Salem. Tickets are $5 each and are available at the door.