Who knew that so many of our friends, neighbors, co-workers and family members are so talented when it comes to music?

The Beaufort County Traditional Music Association proves and showcases that talent during its regular Saturday and Thursday jams, which are open to the public. From environmental educators to builders to retired folk, the association’s musicians have embedded themselves and their music into the fabric of Beaufort County. Their music alone would suffice those who enjoy and support the traditional music genres of the region — bluegrass, country, gospel, folk and the like. But this weekend during the seventh-annual BoCO Music Festival in downtown Washington, the association will be showcasing the musical offerings of the White Top Mountain Band, invited musicians and, of course, association members plus the toe-tappin’ movements (OK, foot-stompin’ movements) of the Green Grass Cloggers.

But the association is more than just pickers and pluckers jammin’ when they can.

BCTMA is a grassroots effort to promote the performance and enjoyment of the area’s traditional music genres. BCTMA is entertaining and educational. BCTMA is about musicians and their supporters preserving a way of telling stories through music.

Regardless of skill levels, association members gather to learn from one another, tutor one another and, yes, outperform one another.

By attending this Saturday’s BoCO Music Festival, you can show your appreciation for what the association has done for Beaufort County and its residents. Your attendance is a way of repaying what these musicians have done for others in the community.

That BCTMA fiddler may be a financier who helps people start small businesses. That BCTMA mandolin player may be a medical doctor who knows that good music soothes a troubled soul. That BCTMA guitar player may be a grocer who contributes some of his or her goods to the local food bank.

Those things make for a harmonious world, and there is nothing wrong with that.