It doesn't get any more laid back than the Bynum Music Series; Friday evening, the work week is over, and you bring a lawn chair, sit under the open sky and enjoy some fine playing and singing.

This year's series starts Friday, with Kelley and the Cowboys playing outdoors beside the Bynum General Store. Music happens from 7 to 9 p.m., and inside the General Store local artists will display their work.

The music series began in 2001 as an effort among Bynum neighbors to help support the Bynum General Store and Post Office, one of the only remaining historical business landmarks and social centers in the former mill village.

The General Store's operator closed the business in 2006, so to keep the community gathering place alive a non-profit organization formed -- Bynum Front Porch (www.Bynumfrontporch.org). Bynum Front Porch's mission is to preserve the history, identity and supportive atmosphere of Bynum by providing the opportunity for people to gather in a central location that values wholesome family communities and caring interactions.

In addition to the Friday night music series, the organization puts on the monthly Bynum Front Porch Pickin' series, which takes place the fourth Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It's a jam session for bluegrass musicians of all skill levels and ages.

You can bring an acoustic instrument or just your voice. It's free and open to the public.

The schedule for both series looks like this:

• May 2: Kelley and The Cowboys
• May 9: Boys from Carolina
• May 16: Tim Lee Band
• May 23: Saludos Compay
• May 24: Bynum Front Porch Pickin'
• May 30: Rootzie
• June 6: Memphis the Band
• June 13: Southpaw
• June 20: Blue Diablo
• June 27: Brenda Linton and Friends
• June 28: Bynum Front Porch Pickin'
• July 11: Sarah Shook
• July 18: Tom Maxwell
• July 25: Bill and Libby Hicks
• July 26: Bynum Front Porch Pickin'
• Aug. 1: Edsel 500
• Aug. 8: Near Blind James, Harmonica Bob, and the Mighty Gospel Inspirations
• Aug. 15: The Great Big Gone
• Aug. 22 The Straight 8s
• Aug. 23: Bynum Front Porch Pickin'
• Aug. 29: Bruce Egan and Highway 54