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In the early 1960s, Vaughn Swaringen built a small structure next to his home off Cagle Road near Aquadale. The outbuilding, which would eventually house Von’s Fish Camp (where, for $1.25, customers could enjoy “all you can eat” flounder), was the forerunner of the present day Rocky River Springs Fish House.

But, what many customers (even those who still remember the old fish camp building) may not know is that the old structure was never originally intended to house a restaurant.

“My grandpa built it so that he and his friends would have a place to play music,” recalled Stan Efird, who operates the current Rocky River Springs restaurant just south of Aquadale, and who is the third generation of the Swaringen/Efird family to serve as a purveyor of seafood in the greater Aquadale area.

According to Stan and his mother Noreta Efird (Vaughn’s daughter), Swaringen had an affinity for bluegrass music, and played the mandolin himself. As a result, the little outbuilding off Cagle Road housed many informal jam sessions before becoming a popular, although off-the-beaten-path, seafood establishment.

During its time as a music hall, a number of local pickers would come out to play, noted Noreta.

“Dad played along with several friends who enjoyed bluegrass, too,” she said.

Among those she could recall were Raymond Surratt, Marshall Morton, Billy Thompson and Charles Harris.

“There were others, but I can’t remember all of them,” she added.

Once area seafood lovers learned that Swaringen not only picked a mean mandolin, but also fried up some tasty flounder, the fish camp’s business took off. Consequently, Vaughn’s jam sessions were displaced and became less frequent, although music remained part of the family’s tradition when time allowed.

In 1968, Rocky River Springs Fish House opened, replacing the old Cagle Road eatery with a more modern restaurant under the management of Swaringen and wife Annie Belle, and Stan’s parents, Kermit and Noreta. The new fish house was an instant success, with most of its customer base having been built years earlier at the previous structure.

Fast-forward more than 50 years and “The Rock,” as it is known to many, has continued its successful run thanks to its large and loyal clientele, many of whom are the children and grandchildren of the old fish camp’s original customers. And with the Swaringen/Efird family still at the helm, the family’s music tradition has “come back home” to deliver a new offering for its customers — live bluegrass music, played by members of the Swaringen lineage.

“Our bluegrass nights came about when my cousin, Carley Hatley, began playing the banjo as a youngster,” said Stan. “So, for the past four years Carley, her mother, and her grandmother play three live shows on the first Thursday night of the month. As a group, they are known as Carley Hatley and Rocky River.”

Since implementing the live music nights, first Thursdays have become busier than ever at the restaurant, according to Noreta.

“Most bluegrass nights we have a full house,” she said.

As for the group, which has become the unofficial “house band” at Rocky River Springs, 14-year-old Carley is the group’s namesake. Grandmother Dawn Ratliff handles most of the vocals and plays guitar, with Carley’s mom, Crystal Hatley, on the stand-up bass. Family friend Julie Hendrix rounds out the foursome, handling mandolin duties.

Carley, who has played the five-string banjo since age 7, has competed in a number of fiddlers’ conventions, earning first-place honors in her age divisions at recent events in Granite Quarry and Seagrove. She credits Ronnie Hatley, from whom she has taken lessons, as well as her grandmother with being key influences in helping her learn the instrument.

“After Carley started the lessons, Covid hit, and her lessons had to be shifted to an online format,” recalled Crystal. “Those didn’t go so well, so she was really glad to get back to in-person instruction.”

Being able to learn songs alongside Ratliff has also been helpful.

“It helps to have others to practice and play along with when you’re learning,” she said.

On a recent night, the group’s songs include gospel covers including, “Crying Holy Unto the Lord,” (the best-known version having been recorded by Bill Monroe), to traditional bluegrass (“Ole Slew Foot,” by J.D. Crowe and Jimmy Martin, and “Blue Ridge Cabin Home” by Flatt and Scruggs), to “Bad Moon Rising,” an esteemed anthem to Creedence Clearwater Revival followers.

“We usually try to include a few numbers that aren’t normally performed as bluegrass songs,” said Crystal in reference to the CCR favorite.

The group has appeared at a number of venues, both local and distant, including the Big Lick Bluegrass Festival, Ocean Lakes Campground, Denton Farm Park and the Norwood Hootenanny, and is available for private bookings as well, she added.

Meanwhile, over 60 years after Von Swaringen’s love of music led to his raising a building, which in turn became a fish camp, and which subsequently spawned a seafood restaurant, the Swaringen and Efird family has seen that music affection come full circle.

“We invite everyone to come out on the first Thursday of each month and join us,” Stan added.

• Rocky River Springs Fish House is open 3:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday and Sunday and 3:30 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

• Follow RRSFH on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057225411103

• Follow Carley Hatley and Rocky River on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5stringbling

• In addition to the first Thursday appearances at Rocky River Springs, Carley Hatley and Rocky River are scheduled to appear in Jonesville at Riverwalk Park on June 21.