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The all-to-familiar buzz of chainsaws was soothed by the sound of music Sunday afternoon in south residential Brundidge.

Residents ventured outside their homes to listen. Others gathered at safe-social distances along the street and those walking the track at Pike County High School waved their appreciation to the musicians. Some people scattered coins or greenbacks on the lawn, in thanks for a diversion from COVID-19.

Henry Everett, laughing, said the musical interlude was both a Quarantine Jam and a birthday celebration.

“Sunday was my brother David’s birthday and, because we are ‘safer at home,’ we decided to celebrate his birthday with a  jam session out under the trees,” Everett said. “My son, Malachi and David’s son, David Jr., enjoy playing together, like David and I do. It was just a lot of fun to celebrate David’s birthday together and with music.”

The Quarantine Jam began around 3 p.m. and went longer than any of the musicians had planned.

“We were enjoying the music and people kept stopping by to enjoy it with us so we kept playing until around 7 o’clock,” Everett said. “And, really, some did tip us. It was just fun afternoon.”

And, so much so, that Everett said the band will be back in the box.

“Sure, we’ll do it again,” Everett said. “Lenny Trawick and I have talked and we would like to have a Quarantine Jam or Sunday afternoon concert on the grounds of the Bass House in Brundidge. It’s a big area and we could maintain social distance. We have got to learn to live our lives under this new norm and stay safe doing it.”

Everett is the school music director for the Pike County Board of Education and he is missing the kids and he is missing the music.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to school but we all know that things won’t be the same,” Everett said. “We have to learn new ways of doing things and that’s challenging.”

Everett is perhaps better known outside the school environment as DjHendock. As a popular dee-jay, Everett said is he having to adjust to event cancellations as well as being away from school and the kids.

“We really enjoyed the Quarantine Jam and we’re enjoying more family time,” Everett said. “As individuals, as families, we are learning to survive in this new norm. We’ll make do. We’ll be alright.”