There is a new home for the long running Acoustic Jam series — the Roanoke River Mill in Weldon.

The road to the river mill began in 2005 at the former WZRU studio, recalls Kim Terpening, of the group Chambergrass. “We had a little concert area.”

Soon the number of people attending exceeded the fire code and performances were moved for a short time to the pavilion at Centennial Park and then to Halifax Community College. Then the college decided it was time to renovate the place where the monthly jams were held.

Bill Blackwell, who owns the mill overlooking the Roanoke River, stepped up.

“It’s a great place to meet,” Terpening said. “Being a music teacher, I have my recital people come there. It’s a great opportunity for musicians and to listen to music.”

The first Saturday in February saw between 15 to 18 musicians sign up for the open mike event which is held the first Saturday of every month at 7 p.m.

Matt Chambers operates the sound system and has been recording the jams for Terpening’s weekly show on WEZU, which is between 11:30 a.m. and noon on Saturdays.

For Blackwell, having the Acoustic Jam at the mill is just another extension for his vision of the building and a place for musicians across the Roanoke River Low Country to perform. “Everyone really had a good time. There’s a tremendous amount of really good talent in the area. To offer the venue to allow them to display their gifts, I always thought that was the highest and best use. I always thought it would be nice to have the building to be used to allow people to promote and enjoy local music.”

The building was used as a community center for the town for approximately 30 years, Blackwell explained. “It’s important for the building to remain a public space.”

To further that effort there will be numerous events at the mill throughout the year. There will be two concert in the park events there and there are ballroom dancing classes every Wednesday night.

With the river as the backdrop, Blackwell believes more musical offerings can be held in or outside the mill. “We’re not run over. It’s picking up steam, which is encouraging considering the economic times.”