Like many accordionists, DeVecchis, a Lewistown native, first learned to play the instrument by taking lessons when he was just a boy — at age 9 or 10 — and he learned how to read music.

“My dad used to play records on Sunday after church,” the 76-year-old DeVecchis recalled. “He played a lot of polkas, and I fell in love with them.

“I really enjoyed listening to them,” DeVecchis added. “I practiced and practiced and wondered why I didn’t sound like the record.”

Unfazed, the young DeVecchis stuck with it and has been playing the accordion for nearly 70 years. He is scheduled to perform at the Ellen Chapel Church at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, for its Live Music Series in the church’s Fellowship Hall, located at 11764 Ferguson Valley Rd., Lewistown.

Photo courtesy of GREG DEVECCHIS
Accordionist Greg DeVecchis is slated to play at Ellen Chapel on Nov. 9.

The second set at 8:25 p.m. features John White, of Lewistown, a guitarist and singer. White might be more familiar as the former borough manager of Lewistown. Admission is free, and the general public is invited.

The Accordion has been a staple in folk music for centuries. The curious instrument is known for its versatility and complex sound, but despite its popularity it is often overlooked or thought of as outdated.

When thinking of the Accordion, most people might think of street musicians on the sidewalks of European cities, but it’s also been performed by virtuoso musicians on primetime TV, concert halls and venues all over the world.

DeVecchis has a huge repertoire and often plans his list of instrumentals to match his audience. He has played for Ellen Chapel audiences two or three times previously.

“It’s a fun thing to do,” DeVecchis said.

Well, almost always fun. He admits he put the instrument down in high school while focusing on other priorities.

“When you’re a kid, you don’t want to practice,” DeVecchis explained. “You just want to come on stage and do your thing. In high school, I wanted to chase girls.

“After graduation, I got it out again for my own enjoyment,” DeVecchis added. “The church asked me to play some music for them, and it just grew from there.”

Word got out about DeVecchis’ musical talents and he got more and more requests.

“People started calling me to play,” he said. “People knew my dad, so I played at the grange a little bit and locally around here. I’d do reunions, church picnics and ice cream socials.”

DeVecchis saw the effect that music had on those in attendance.

“I like to see people have a good time,” he added. “It’s a fun hobby.”

DeVecchis said it’s a stereotype that accordionists only play polkas. Case in point, his song list is very diverse.

“I enjoy all kinds of music,” he said. “Mostly songs that you don’t hear on the radio. I play country songs like “Tumbleweed” and “Home on the Range,” military songs and patriotic songs with a few polkas and marches mixed in.

“They’re well taken and people enjoy them,” DeVecchis said of his choices in music.

His musical influences come from the classic country artists like Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn and Hank Williams.

“It’s nice to hear the old songs,” DeVecchis added. “I get a lot of good feedback. People tell me, ‘I haven’t heard that song for years.’ It makes me feel good, and I like to keep that genre alive a little bit.”

John White

James Taylor arrived in a time when pop music was shifting. A popular brand of singer-songwriters had emerged, and Taylor fit the bill, offering up his own smooth, evocative tenor and way of songwriting that pierced right to the heart. John White, of Strodes Mills, included.

“I liked J.T. the first time I heard him when I was probably 17- or 18-years-old,” said White of his musical idol. “These days I’m listening to Tommy Emmanuel, Lance Allen and John Knowles.”

White plays a lot of acoustic classic rock ‘n roll, from the 1960s through today. “I play some Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett — that Trop Rock kind of music — Cat Stevens, Neil Young, and Simon and Garfunkel. That whole genre of music,” he said.

White has been playing what he called the “Winery Circuit” for the past 15 years. He started performing at Brookmere Winery in Belleville then added stops at Stonefly Café in Reedsville, Juniata Valley Winery in Mifflin, Hungry Run Bistro and Wine Bar in Lewistown and Armstrong Valley Winery in Halifax, Dauphin County.

“I enjoy singing and playing,” White said. It’s fun to go out there and play.”

He’s also had plenty of memorable musical moments. He recently spent five days in Nashville at Tommy Emmanuel’s guitar retreat where he attended master classes and breakout sessions with Emmanuel, Emmylou Harris, Livingston Taylor, Pat Bergeson and Doyle Dykes, to name a few.

This year he will be returning to Reading, Berks County, as the warmup act for Peter Mayer’s Stars and Promises Christmas Tour. Mayer is the lead guitar player for Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Refer Band.

White also performs at many private engagements.

“People enjoy it,” White said of his classic acoustic rock music. “I have an eclectic playlist. I do The Beatles to Willie Nelson, some real nice songs, ballads and funny tunes.”