She plays fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo and bass, among other instruments, and she’s taught countless other people to do the same.  Those that know her say she is a true leader and a true teacher. She’s only lived in Denton County for about four months, and she’s already organized two groups of musicians to play jam sessions at a local retirement community. She wears cowboy jeans and boots while she performs with her many instruments. She is 91 years old, and her name is Margaret Wilton.

     Margaret recently moved from Oklahoma City to the Lewisville Estates Retirement and Assisted Living Community to be closer to family, including a daughter and a grandson. She left behind a wide circle of friends, including members of the Oklahoma Extravaganza, a bluegrass group she organized that is composed of her former music students. She also left behind 21 current students who were learning a love of music from her.  Once settled in Lewisville, it didn’t take Margaret long to find some more musically inclined friends. Due to that love of and commitment to music, many of Margaret’s new friends at Lewisville Estates won’t be without music either. Two weeks ago, 9 members of her group from Oklahoma City traveled to Southern Denton County and held a jam session at her new residence, filling the halls with sounds of bluegrass and gospel tunes.  “We had a jam down in the dining room,” Margaret chuckled. All nine of the visitors had been taught by Margaret to play their various instruments. The residents responded favorably, according to the former administrative assistant. “They just filled that dining room,” she said, “and now they want the group to come back any time we can get them.”

     Since the group from Oklahoma City might not be able to visit as often as she would like them to, Margaret has struck up some new friendships with area musicians including members of Copper Canyon, a local bluegrass and gospel group consisting of Jim and Celesta Hughes, Joe Hood and Tommy Smith. They recently visited and hosted a hoe-down at Lewisville Estates, including Margaret in several songs to the delight of many of the other residents. “Margaret is a wonderful example of a bluegrass musician. She is friendly, outgoing, and loves music.  As is the case with the bluegrass music world we became instant friends and have enjoyed a fun musical experience together,”  Jim Hughes said. Margaret also connected with another group of musicians, including Gary Penny and Bob Compere, who visited last month with their instruments to jam with Margaret and entertain anyone who wanted to listen. For Margaret, music is therapy. “A person can be in a bad mood and depressed, but they pick up an instrument and play for a little while, and it makes all the difference in the world,” she said.   

    She owns all types of musical instruments, and they can be found leaning against the wall of her apartment and stored under her bed. “That fiddle over there was made in France in the 1800’s,” Margaret said, as she pointed to a fiddle leaning against the wall near a music stand. She also treasures a mandolin that was made around 50 years ago. Regina Henderson, activity director at Lewisville Estates, said in the few months she’s gotten to know Margaret, she can see her true leadership qualities shine. “She knows how to whip everybody in shape. She says move and we move,” Henderson said affectionately. Henderson herself is scheduled to start taking guitar lessons from Margaret in the near future. In the meantime, Margaret plans on staying busy by leading the music in her bible study group, organizing more jams, and taking care of her 11 year old black poodle named Suzy. Besides her 92nd birthday that is coming up in September, Margaret has many other things to look forward to as well. As a new member of the Southwest Blue Grass Association, she is organizing a trip to their meeting on August 1 in Irving. “Music will be a part of my life as long as I live, “ Margaret said. “I can’t be without it.”

     For more information on the local band Copper Canyon, visit www.coppercanyonmusic.com.

     They recently recorded a CD called "Faith and Freedom" and have gotten radio airplay in the Dallas area on KHYI 95.3 "The Range" on the Sunday Morning Bluegrass Show hosted by Alan Tompkins from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon.