Bluegrass Beat
The last Friday in October at Shepherdsville was a real treat for blue grass fans. The Country Gentlemen were on hand and did a really top-notch show. I'm glad I didn't miss it. The Country Gentlemen, like many other name bands over the years, have proven to be an enduring group in spite of the turnover in personnel from time to time. Many alumni of the CG have become well known on their own. According to leader Charlie Waller, the band came into being in 1957. They have truly made their mark in bluegrass since then. Some of the notables with beginnings in the Country Gentlemen lineup have been John Duffy, Eddie Adcock, Paul Adkins and Ricky Skaggs, just to name a few. By all means do not miss another opportunity to see the Country Gentlemen.
Just so I will be sure to get this in, I'll do it here: As of this writing, we will do a Hank Williams SR. show on New Year's Day. WFPL at 1 p.m. Only one hour. I had hoped for more. This is a show I used to do as a country DJ back in the '50s. It worked then and it will work now, as the folks showed their approval last year. Last year, in order to get it on, we had to do it during our last "Sunday Bluegrass" show of the year. We devoted the entire two-hour program to Hank.
When I started this back in the '50s, I just decided one New Year's Day I would do all Hank Williams during my four hours from 10 a.m. to2 p.m. This program should be done on New Year's Day, for obvious reasons. I'll admit I was a little apprehensive the first time, not being sure if the listeners would take four hours of one artist.
I could not play all of what I had of Hank in four hours. Not only did they like it but in successive years they began calling as early as October to see if I would be doing it the following New Year's Day. I hope we can do that here.
November the 8th and 15th were our Sundays for the Fall fund drive at WFPL. On the 8th we had three groups playing live in the studio and helping with the drive. We had Pickin' Time, Cindi Ruff and the Sunnysiders and Lee Matherly. Alan Phelps was among the musicians. Many of you know Alan, but for those of you who are not familiar with him, he is a virtuoso of the dobro. Over the years he has played for many, if not most, of the top names in bluegrass. One very prominent and unusual claim: Alan is the only dobroist to play for Bill Monroe as a Bluegrass Boy. Alan's tenure with Bill lasted about 18 months. Alan, our thanks to you and the above groups for being a part of our fundraiser show at WFPL this Fall. It's folks like all of you and all of our listeners who help keep bluegrass music alive and on the air.
On the 18th we had another great night. Kentucky Blue, Eastern Blend and Buddy Martin and Perry Jewell. Another terrific live show and great thanks to our listener response. I feel we had a very successful two Sundays this time made possible by the bands who so willingly participated and you, our listeners, who so generously responded. From WFPL, the Country Gentleman and bluegrass bands and fans all over, a sincere THANK YOU!
On November 13 Ralph Stanley was in town — Shepherdsville town and the turnout was much improved. Ralph had a good show, as he always does and a couple of new things on his record – old habits, terms and phrases are hard to break – table. I got one of them in, and as of this writing haven't had the opportunity to more that scan it. I scanned enough to know that it is good, of course, but it will also delight a lot of our fans and make it easier on me when there is a request for an a cappella number. This is a CD and is all a cappella.By the time you read this I will have played from it and I hope you heard it. Following Ralph, on the 20th, were the Warrior River Boys and then the 30th, one of my very favorite young performers, Charlie Sizemore.
Christmas in Old Appalachia: Another reason — or excuse, if you want to put it that way — to attend another event at this great location. This location is the Museum of Appalachia, about 18 miles up Interstate 75 north of Knoxville and about one mile east. They will have their traditional open house on December 6, a freebie, from 12:30-6 p.m. There will be musicians, craftspeople and authors. Throughout the month, except for Christmas Day, the museum will be open from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. Highlight of the day on the 6th will be an old-fashioned Anvil Shoot at 2 and 4 p.m. I don't know anything about an anvil shoot. From the information I have, this goes back to early American history. An anvil is placed on the ground upside down, the cavity is filled with black powder. A second anvil is set on the first and the powder is lit. The results can be heard for miles around and the top anvil is sent sailing as high as 75 feet up in the air. I would like to see that. The museum and its exhibits, including the little village buildings, will be appropriately decorated with handmade ornaments. We have always enjoyed our visits to the Museum of Appalachia and I'm sure you will too.
I had a chat with John Morris of Old Homestead Records and John is all excited about one, the many great new releases he has in stock and his latest newsletter. If you want more information or do not receive John's listings, call him at 1-313-227-I997, or write Box 100, Brighton, Ml 48116. He is also excited about — and so am I — his festival next June 24-27 and with good reason: His lineup includes Ralph Stanley, Bill Monroe, Randall Hylton, Jim & Jesse and the Dry Branch Fire Squad. And that ain't all. Make plans now, give yourself or someone you love advance ticketsfor Christmas.
Christmas I My gosh, it's almost here, isn't it? Give a gift this year that can and will be enjoyed as much five or ten or more Christmases from now as it will be this year. What's that, you say? Why it's a recording of a favorite bluegrass group. And make sure that's bluegrass, pardner. You hear now? Remember, if you must have a blue Christmas, make it a bluegrass Christmas.
A very sincere wish for all bluegrass fans and listeners to our program for a wonderful, happy and pleasant Christmas and Holiday Season. God Bless.
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Last-minute add-on items:
Riders in the Sky will be at Hawley-Cooke Booksellers at the Gardiner Lane Shopping Center on December5, from 1:00 until 3:30 p.m., to autograph their new release, Merry Christmas from Harmony Ranch, as well as their new book "Rider In the Sky." They'll also be playing some music for the fans; that's the cowboy way.
Roy Acuff, legendary member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, passed at on November 23 in a Nashville, Tenn., hospital of congestive heart failure at the age 89. He will be missed.