Jessica Johnson | The News

George Smith demonstrates the ukulele in preparation for his ukulele group lessons at Olde Mill Music, which begin Tuesday.

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Surry County’s first ukulele group lessons launch on June 25, with an hour-long lesson each Tuesday for eight weeks.

Olde Mill Music, located in downtown Mount Airy, is offering the ukulele group lessons with instructor and musician George Smith.

Smith emphasized that all ages and skill levels are welcome to enroll.

Jennie Lowry of Olde Mill Music said they are happy to offer ukulele lessons and has high hopes for their success. “Ukulele is so popular right now…it’s big with young people, but older people also remember it from the 1960s popularity. There are different chord formations, but it is very easy to play and pick up and we are hoping a class might encourage people to get involved.”

Smith said he first came up with the idea for ukulele lessons after his wife Jin suggested a group class, because she and a friend both wanted to learn. Since Smith worked for Olde Mill Music as an instructor, it was the perfect opportunity to start a new class, and with Lowry on board, the idea blossomed.

“This is a good way to spend time in the summer, by taking ukulele lessons. It is a cool opportunity to get people interested in music and encourages a sense of community with the group lessons. This type of instrument really lends itself to group involvement,” Smith remarked.

For those who may have prior guitar or string instrument experience, ukulele chords are slightly different, and Smith said many consider it easier to learn.

“It is suited well for beginners who have never played anything. There are a lot of simple chords using one or two fingers, which makes it accessible to most anyone, from beginners who have never played to the advanced musicians who can play lead guitar.”

Smith said he would like to incorporate ukulele versions of contemporary songs from artists such as Pink Floyd, Green Day, Radiohead, and more. “I think it is really interesting to try these songs out on the ukulele, but still keep some rock elements with it. I know I have some creative people involved in the lessons so I hope to also allow for some original songs.”

Smith added that if the weather is nice, he hopes to take the group outside for an outdoor jam session or two.

For a final concert, students will be invited to perform as a large group for a free public concert at Old North State Winery, tentatively scheduled for a date in August.

Visit George Smith’s webpage at musicofgeorgesmith.com for more information about his performances.

Ukulele group lessons are scheduled to begin on June 25, with two sessions each Tuesday, one from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and a later class from 8 to 9 p.m.

The cost for the lessons is $80 per person, which averages out to be $10 per lesson.

Contact George Smith at redbrushmusic@hotmail.com or call Olde Mill Music at 786-8742 for more information or to register for ukulele lessons.

Reach Jessica Johnson at jessicajohnson@civitasmedia.com or at 719-1933.

Jeff Linville | The News

East Surry’s Drew Wilson, the Northwest Conference player of the year, has signed with N.C. Central University.

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Jeff Linville | The News

Drew Wilson smacks an extra-base hit against North Surry. Wilson has batted in the third spot in the Cardinals’ order for the past three years.

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Jeff Linville | The News

Drew is joined by parents Rick and Anne Wilson on Senior Night against Mount Airy last month.

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PILOT MOUNTAIN — East Surry’s Drew Wilson will be playing Division I baseball for N.C. Central University next season.

The slugger/pitcher was the Northwest Conference Player of the Year and most outstanding player at the conference tournament.

According to Coach Barry Hall, Wilson had 41 hits in 81 at-bats, a stellar batting average of .506. Of those hits, 13 were doubles and eight were home runs, giving him a slugging percentage of .963. He also regularly drew walks as teams feared pitching to him.

Wilson also was one of the top pitchers in the league with an ERA of just above one run per nine innings. He was 9-3 and had one of the highest strikeout rates in the Northwest Conference.

“He had a great three years for us,” said Hall. “It accumulated this year that he led the team in hitting and did a great job on the mound.”

He added, “He was a great team leader and developed into one of the better players we’ve had at East Surry High School.”

Unlike a lot of his teammates who play multiple sports, Wilson has dedicated himself to being the best baseball player he can be. In addition to his coaching from Hall and assistant coach Chad Freeman, the young man has worked many hours with a batting coach at The Hitting Zone in Greensboro.

“You’re not going to find a harder worker than Andrew,” said hitting coach Justin Smith, who also leads a travel team called The Hitting Zone.

Several players from this area have played on that travel team, including Wilson and Mount Airy’s Sam Harris.

Drew missed out on a couple of big tournaments last summer with a sore knee, said Smith. Still, he played enough to draw scouts’ attention.

Smith was great about chatting with lots of coaches and getting the word out about his players, said Drew’s mom, Anne Wilson.

Smith said Rick and Anne Wilson deserve a lot of credit for doing whatever it takes for their three sons to be successful. He said young brother Alec “Gator” Wilson has a lot of potential, and baby brother A.J. is just 12 but already showing enough talent that he could be the best of the bunch.

At the high school level, Drew tears up pitchers, but there is much tougher competition at the Division I level, Smith noted. He has a chance to be a good hitter at that level, but he’ll have to become more consistent in his swing.

Nothing personal to the players in the conference, but the pitchers were probably overmatched against Drew, said Jim Koerner, head coach at N.C. Central. At the Division I level, he will be challenged in every at-bat.

Koerner believes Wilson is up to the challenge.

“It’s the complete package that really impressed us,” the coach said. Certainly, talent plays a role, and Drew is a physical kid who will get stronger as he matures. His best days are still ahead of him, he said.

However, the coaches also like his work ethic and his effort in the classroom.

Some coaches might pigeonhole Wilson as either a pitcher or a slugger, but Koerner said he believes Wilson has enough ability to do both. He’ll get a look both as a pitcher and first baseman.

Koerner certainly seems to know what he’s doing. In all of Division I, only one team has had a bigger turnaround over the past two years.

N.C. Central only brought back baseball in 2007. That first year, the team played at the Division II level.

Then in 2008, the Eagles stepped up to Division I.

Before Koerner arrived in 2012, the Eagles had won just 16 games in three seasons.

With the arrival of a new coach, N.C. Central joined the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, whose members include N.C. A&T down the coast as far as Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Fla.

In 2012, the Eagles won 19 games. This year, the team set a school record with 27 wins and advanced to the semifinals of the MEAC conference tournament.

East Surry had its own strong showing this season with a 25-5 record, including a 21-1 record up until losing to South Stanly at the sectional level.

As for academics, Wilson hasn’t announced a major yet.