Macon Magazine

October/November 2024 | maconmagazine.com 69 worry about anything. To me, it's my home away from home." Erica Carr is a talented singer, songwriter, and ukulele player who performs with the popular all- female group sisters of the bluemoon, alongside Nina Talon and Charlie Thomas. She's Bray Carr's wife and, of course, she's always there. "A community has grown here," she said. "There's a family feel but there's an openness to it, an inclusiveness. All levels of musicians can feel at home, supported, and encouraged. Sometimes there's even people who play brass instruments and a professional flutist comes." Amy Clegg has a unique and telling perspective. "It's a home for people that don't have a musical home," she said. "People who don't fit in other places or a band can find a place to fit in here. Nobody is judged, it's real free here." Kristopher Sutter plays mandolin. "You can watch and listen, join in on the periphery, or join the circle and play as the lead," he said. "It doesn't much matter who you are, where you come from, what you believe, or how you're different. Our commonalities are enough at the Jelly Elephant." There's no cover charge, but a $5 donation is asked for to help keep the lights on and the sound system running. Most who come are from Macon and around Central Georgia, but Greg Lavender does Knowing what the Jelly Elephant isn't is as important as explaining what it is. "It's not a bar and it's not a band," he said. "Sometimes people think it is, but it's not. We don't serve alcohol, but you can bring your own beer. Mainly, it's a place to get together and play." The Jelly Elephant is a place where people of all musical levels sing and play all sorts of instruments while others play along, joining in playing leads when appropriate. It's singer-songwriters trying out and refining songs. It's a place to relax and learn. If you're starting out, you can get better. If you're returning to music after an absence, you can hone musicianship. You can also go on Saturday nights just to listen. The Jelly Elephant is more a listening room than a concert venue and listening is key. A big key. Five-foot capital letters high up on the wall spell out the most important thing for players and the audience: LISTEN. On any given Saturday, beginning at 8 p.m., a handful of regulars will be there along with up to 40 or more others. There's no sign-up list to play, it just happens. Those who do play must have a measure of skill – but even if they falter, there's really only one golden rule: play in tune. "I sing and play guitar and this is my go-to place every Saturday," said Ashley Neville. "Whatever I've got going on in life, this is where I can unwind and not "It's a home for people that don't have a musical home," she said. "People who don't fit in other places or a band can find a place to fit in here. Nobody is judged, it's real free here."

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