The Putnam Family is a bluegrass gospel group that originated on Steer Creek in Gilmer County. The group has its roots in central WV that began in the early 1980’s when Mike Putnam of Shock, WV taught his sons, Gary (age 12) and John (8) to play guitar and mandolin. Mike picked up an old banjo from a furniture trade in Spencer and also found an old upright bass for his wife Darlene.
The original family group only lasted a few years. It was ten years later when John picked up the mandolin once more and joined a local bluegrass group from Normantown, WV. While in college John married Andrea White, also of Steer Creek and the two joined his parents, Mike and Darlene, to form a bluegrass gospel quartet. The Putnam Family, as they have become known locally, took appointments at local churches and community centers and made three recordings. The group has played for nearly 15 years and still makes occasional appearances.
The third generation of the Putnam family has recently included John and Andrea’s three children, Caroline 10, Isaac 8, and Andrew 5 -turning 6 in the fall -and now resides in Roane County. Caroline is the first fiddler in the family. Isaac plays a mandolin that his father John built. John plays guitar and Andrea plays the upright bass. Andrew is perhaps the most energetic member and loves to sing. The children appear on the Putnam Family’s latest recording “What Is More Precious" released in March of 2009.
The music chosen for public appearances is bluegrass gospel and will often will include instrumentals from bluegrass and old time genres. Like in past generations, the latest generation of pickers enjoys playing at local churches and community centers. Caroline and John both have played in the state fiddle and mandolin contests held at the Vandalia Gathering in Charleston, WV.