SPINDALE - It's been 20 years since Snuffy Jenkins performed in the music festival that bears his name. On Nov. 7, though, the festival will return to Rutherford County with a lineup including some of Jenkins' former bandmates as well as Doc Watson and David Holt.

"It's taken a lot of years to get here," said Matthew McEnnerney, president of the Rutherford County Arts Council, who has partnered with Isothermal Community College to present the festival, during a press conference held at the college on Friday.

"You could say what brings us here is a sound," he said, introducing banjo players Phillip Jenkins, Snuffy's great-nephew, and Dan Padgett.

"I think everybody recognizes that sound," McEnnerney said. "That sound, which people in the music business tell me, is a three-finger banjo roll. It was invented within 20 miles of this spot."

The musical technique is said to have been perfected not only by Jenkins, but Smith Hammett and Earl Scruggs, all whose beginnings were in the region.

McEnnerney said the arts council was contacted by Ben Humphries, who helped organize the festival originally, about 20 years ago about taking over the festival. At the time, McEnnerney said, it wasn't possible.

"We're calling this festival a reunion festival for a couple of reasons," McEnnerney said. "Ben ran it out of a love of music and affection for the musicians. We're trying to reconstruct it in the same spirit. We're also trying to get as many who played in his festival to attend too."

Events for the festival - which include food and craft vendors, an open jam area and historical talks regarding Jenkins' life - will be held inside The Foundation Performing Arts Center on Isothermal's campus. The partnership with the arts council is one that Isothermal's President Myra Johnson said delighted her on both a personal and professional level.

"My grandfather played banjo and my husband currently plays banjo. Just recently my father was recalling driving in the car with Earl Scruggs when they both were working at the Lily Mill in Shelby," Johnson said. "I think from a professional standpoint I couldn't be more delighted — it is a strong partnership with the arts council. It will be a wonderful event and we're delighted to be a partner in it."

The event is sponsored by the Rutherford County Arts Council and Isothermal Community College. Media sponsor for the event is WNCW, which plans to record and broadcast the performances.

"Our goal, whether we pull it off or not, is to get many of the artists indoors to sign broadcast releases," said WNCW General Manager Dana Whitehair. "It's very similar to what we'll be doing for MerleFest. We'll review the previous year's event, announce the lineup and preview the next year's performances."

"Doc and All" tickets, which include reserved seating in the Foundation all day and the Doc Watson and David Holt show in the evening are $30 for adults and $20 for youth 14 and younger. "Day Pass" tickets, including all access to all performers, vendors, lectures and jam sessions except the Doc and David show are $20 for adults and $10 for youth 14 and younger.