Junior and Joy Harris celebrate their 60th anniversary at their monthly jam – photo by Sandy Hatley
Junior and Joy Harris celebrated a major milestone last Friday, August 7, 2026 on their 60th wedding anniversary. The couple was recognized during the monthly first Friday jam they host in their pickin’ parlor near Oakboro, NC.
Junior, a multi-instrumentalist, best known for his fiddling, used to hold weekly jams in his tire store. Once he retired in 2006, he built a building on their property. It serves two purposes: it houses Joy’s antiques, and serves as a gathering place for pickers and listeners.
The pickin’ parlor draws musicians both amateur and professional. Guest pickers have included Greg Blake, Mike Hartgrove, and Tim White, to name a few.
The Harrises share a love for music. Joy’s father, Vance Hathcock, was also a fiddle player. She sings at their jams while Junior plays. This past Friday, she sang a Connie Smith song, Thank You for Loving Me, to her mate of sixty years while Junior accompanied her on guitar.
Friends and family gathered to enjoy cake and refreshments and express their appreciation to this couple who have brought happiness to so many with their music.
