Lyla Cheatham
Lyla Cheatham’s parents have exposed her to music and taken her to music festivals her entire life. In fact, it was at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion in Bristol that she initially saw a ukulele which became her first instrument.
“I saw a ukulele at Rhythm and Roots in Bristol, got it for Christmas, and started taking lessons when I was 7,” Lyla says.
She also plays the fiddle which she got involved in at Virginia Middle School, where she is active in the afterschool program, Jam Kids. The program at her school offers guitar and fiddle. She says he chose the fiddle because she didn’t think she could play guitar.
She is also involved in the Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s Pick Along Camp.
“Last year’s Pick Along Camp was such a great experience, and I met so many cool people. It was one of the best experiences of last summer. I am definitely going back this summer,” she says.
Lyla listens to all genres of music. She says, “Music can help you embrace whatever you’re feeling, good or bad. You think there are no more songs to be created and then you hear something new that blows your mind. One grandfather plays the cello, and another sang in a rock band. I have always been around music.”
She doesn’t plan to have a career in music, but says it will continue to be a part of her life. She is 12 years old and attends Virginia Middle School where she is a rising eighth grader. She swims, lifts weights, writes poetry and reads. She is the daughter of Mark and Melanic Cheatham.
