History of the Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor

The First 30 Years
The Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor was started by Ken and Margo Tennesen in 1976.   The music store was then located  in Tarzana, California.   Even from the beginning the Pickin' Parlor played host to some of the greats like Bill Monroe and The Country Gentlemen.  After their five year run Ken decided to take retirement seriously and sold the store to his  new son-in-law and daughter  Frank and Tammy Javorsek.  In 1980 Frank and Tammy relocated the Pickin' Parlor to Canoga Park, California where they spent the next twenty years molding The Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor into the Bluegrass icon it is today.  The turn of the new millennium brought in the next owners Ric and Alicia Griffith (still in the same family in case your keeping track-Alicia is Tammy's little sister). Ric and Alicia found the current home for the Pickin' Parlor in Old Granada Hills, California.  The location is more than twice the size of the old one hosting monthly Jams, concerts, workshops, retail sales, and music lessons for more than three hundred students a week.

The story of this music store is not just about the Tennesen, Javorsek, and Griffith Family.   It is about the Bluegrass community.  The people are more to us than just customers- they are neighbors and friends.  Over the years we have seen children and adults grow into musicians and performers.  There has been more than one example of  kids coming in for lessons and, years later, bringing their kids in for lessons!  We've also taught whole families to play who have eventually gone on to form bands and even tour the local festival circuit .  The Bluegrass circle is more than just a bunch of people that are into a certain type of music-we feel that it is a family of families who truly love the music from our Heartland.  We are very proud of what we have grown to become  and we invite you to grow with us musically-  listening, teaching, and learning together.

The Next 30 Years

On October 1, 2006, the Blue Ridge Pickin Parlor was purchased by long time family friend and student, Judy Hersh. The transition has been very smooth as Judy has been the Blue Ridge bookkeeper since 1997. Her main purpose for purchasing the business is to keep the family tradition going and at the same time taking it to its fullest potential. The Blue Ridge Pickin’ Parlor has been and will continue to be a service to the community and a place for families to pass down the knowledge of traditional and other types of music to their children and to share with each other the passion of the music and the community atmosphere it promotes. The business continues to grow and thrive due to the Pickin' Parlor's dedicated staff, teachers, students and long time community involvement of everyone's love of music.


In July 2007 the Blue Ridge began offering Kindermusik classes for children ages newborn through 7 years old taught by Certified Kindermusik educators that included Shelby Fannan and Andrea King. Then in August 2008 we started a "Bluegrass School" headed by Randy Torno, long time friend of the Pickin' Parlor and now a part of our teaching staff. We offer beginning and intermediate "Jam School" and "Bluegrass Song School". During these tough economic times the Blueridge has tightened operations and closed the extra space. All group classes, Kindermusik, Bluegrass School and Pickin' Night are held in the main store.


The Blueridge family is an extended family that includes past and present members. Frank Javorsek still teaches and heads the repair shop. Tammy left as store manager in April 2008 and is greatly missed. Judy's stepdaughter Nichole became lesson manager during 2008 and has now gone on to other interests. Grandchildren Ashleigh, 12 and Hunter, 4 participate in store activities and love to help behind the counter. Stepson Conal clerked during the summer of 2007 and is now busy getting ready to graduate high school and join the Air Force in June 2009. We are very proud of stepson Bryan who served our great country in the Navy on the USS Carter Hall for 4 years and returned home in December 2008. You will also meet Judy's cousins whose children are students of the Blue Ridge and stars in our recital twice a year. Last but not least is her Dad, Jerry, 83 years young, who loves coming to concerts.


Check out our lesson program and calendar of events. There is always something happening at the Blue Ridge Pickin' Parlor where we have been "Teaching People To Play Together Since 1976"


www.pickinparlor.com