Talking about Josh Graves - Sunday, December 2nd...

Coming up in the Bluegrass Cafe this Sunday afternoon, we'll have a chat with Fred Bartenstein - a noted Bluegrass writer, historian, DJ, supporter, musician, and fan - about his most recent book project.  In September 2012, the University of Illinois Press released Bluegrass Bluesman:  A Memoir by Dobro guitar legend, Josh Graves.   Graves (1927-2006) is listed as the book's author, but it was Fred Bartenstein who compiled and edited the memoir.  The book comes from several resources, primarily transcripts from eight extensive interviews conducted with Josh in November 1994.  This is a great read, and offers a lot of insight into the life of a man who not only helped to mold the terrific sound of Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs, & the Foggy Mountain Boys, but also worked for many years in a duo with the fabulous fiddler, Kenny Baker, and wrote or co-wrote some songs that became Bluegrass standards, including "Come Walk With Me" and the instrumentals, "Fireball" and "Foggy Mountain Rock," among others.

Celebrating what would have been the 85th birthday of
Josh Graves at IBMA (Evelyn Graves cuts the cake, while
Fred Bartenstein [in blue shirt] looks on.

At the book's debut at this year's IBMA World of Bluegrass event in Nashville, Fred Bartenstein joined members of Josh's family (including Josh's widow, Evelyn) on what would have been Josh Graves's 85th birthday:  September 27, 2012.  What a great way to celebrate the publishing of the memoir by the one and only Burkett Howard "Uncle Josh" Graves.  

Be sure to join us on Sunday's radio show, as Fred will have some interesting stories to tell about how the memoir finally came to be published, and other tidbits about the life of Josh Graves.  The plan is to get Fred on the phone around 5PM Eastern time.  Thanks to the University of Illinois Press, we'll even have a copy of Bluegrass Bluesman to give away to a lucky listener.  Will that be you?  

"Bluegrass Cafe" Playlist - 11/25/2012, Walter Hensley and Rosa Lee Watson

Rosa Lee, Doc, & Merle Watson

Hi Folks.

UCONN sports broadcasting cut this show to one hour, but we made it a potent hour with remembrances of Walter Hensley, dean of Baltimore banjo pickers who died the evening prior to this show, and Rosa Lee Carlton Watson, widow of Doc Watson, who died on Thanksgiving Day.  For some words about Rosa Lee, see this item I wrote for the WHUS web site:  Rosa Lee Watson

I was able to put a few other classic recordings on from White Mountain Bluegrass, Ted Lundy, and Flatt & Scruggs.

Newer music included songs from Travers Chandler, Randy Jones, and Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa.

Thanks for listening.  Amy will make the banjos and fiddles ring next week.

Jim Beaver



Walter Hensley remembrance in red.  Rosa Lee Watson remembrance in green.

Title / Artist / Album / Label

• Edsel Breakdown / Walter Hensley / Pickin' On New Grass / Rebel (LP)
• White House Blues / Earl Taylor and the Stoney Mountain Boys / Classic Bluegrass / Smithsonian Folkways
• Living Without You / James Reams, Walter Hensley / The Barons of Bluegrass / Copper Creek
• Wild Card / James Reams, Walter Hensley and the Barons of Bluegrass / Wild Card / Mountain Redbird
• It's Over (bed) / Walter Hensley / Pickin' On New Grass / Rebel (LP)
• Ice Covered Birches / White Mountain Bluegrass / Ice Covered Birches / Self-released
• I Could Change My Mind / Travers Chandler & Avery County / Pardon Me... / Mountain Fever
• Sally Ann / Ted Lundy and the Southern Mountain Boys / Self-Titled / Old Blue
• I Know What It Means To Be Lonesome / Randy Jones / When Old Lonesome Comes Around / Southfork
• It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Day / Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa / It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Day / Raincoe
• You Don't Love God If You Don't Love Your Neighbor / Rhonda Vincent & The Rage / A Gospel Bluegrass Homecoming / Gaither
• Joy Bells / Flatt & Scruggs / Foggy Mountain Gospel / Columbia Legacy
• Lay My Body Down / Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa / It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Day / Raincoe
• Tiny Broken Heart / Doc & Rosa Lee Watson / Songs From The Southern Mountains / Sugar Hill
• The Lost Soul / Doc Watson Family / The Watson Family / Smithsonian Folkways
• My Wandering Boy / Doc & Rosa Lee Watson / Songs From The Southern Mountains / Sugar Hill
• Your Long Journey / Doc & Rosa Lee Watson / The Watson Family / Smithsonian Folkways
• I'll Live On / Doc Watson / On Praying Ground / Sugar Hill
• Walking In A Dream / Fred Etheridge w.Nick Anderson, Mark Doyle / Pickin' And Singin' / Self-released

Filling in for "Bluegrass Rules" - 11/20/2012

As you probably know by now, WHUS has another program on the schedule devoted to programming Bluegrass music.  James Ward and his mother, Cathy, have been airing their "Bluegrass Rules" program for about 2 years now, and while the show is listed on the schedule as being a one-hour program (3-4PM on Tuesdays), the fact is that until Ramblin' Bert returns to the schedule, "Bluegrass Rules" runs for two hours -- 3-5PM.  James and Cathy are out of state this week celebrating Thanksgiving, so they asked me to fill-in for them while they were gone.  They didn't have to twist my arm too, too much, I'm afraid.  

James and Cathy Ward - hosts of "Bluegrass Rules"
on Tuesdays, 3-5PM 

Generally, when doing a show, I carry A LOT of CDs to WHUS in two very big bags. Do I need to?  Not really, but after 20+ years of broadcasting, I confess that having the "extra" music is sort of like having a big security blanket.  Today, though, I thought trying something slightly different would be smart -- I carried in only 3 CDs today, and the rest of the music came from the pretty decent-sized WHUS Bluegrass library.  Hooray!  I think I might have to try this strategy a bit more often...

Be sure to join James and Cathy for their "Bluegrass Rules" every Tuesday afternoon, if you're able.  While we know there are tons of options for round-the-clock BG listening these days (i.e. Sirius Satellite Radio, WAMU's BluegrassCountry.org, etc.), we think having 5 hours a week devoted to BG broadcasting on a pretty eclectic college radio station is kind of special, too.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  

Amy O.

• Blue Grass Special / Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys / The Essential Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys / Columbia
• On Whiskey Mountain / Bill Emerson with Bill Harrell / Reunion / Webco
• My Heart Is On The Mend / Larry Stephenson / What Really Matters / Compass Records
• Big Spike Hammer / Osborne Brothers / Once More, Volumes 1 & 2 / Sugar Hill
• We're In This Love Together / Darin & Brooke Aldridge / So Much In Between / Mountain Home
• A Natural Thing / Audie Blaylock & Redline / Hard Country / Rural Rhythm
• Blue Skies And Teardrops / Missy Werner Band / Three Kinds Of Lonesome / Self-Produced
• Runaround / Russ Carson / Last Chance / Patuxent Music
• Northern Rail / The Expedition Show / The Expedition Show / Mountain Fever Records
• You Can Mark It Down / The Grascals / Life Finds A Way / Mountain Home
• Take Me Back To Tulsa / Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show / Take Me Back / Pinecastle
• Tell All My Pickin' Friends Goodbye / Chris Brashear / Heart Of The Country / Dog Boy Records
• Cry Of The Loon / Stan Keach & Friends / Cry Of The Loon & Other Original Songs About Maine / Self-Produced
• Long Haul Trucking Man / American Drive / American Drive / Rural Rhythm
• You Love Me Today / Josh Williams / Lonesome Highway / Pinecastle
• Cheatin' Kind Of Life / Rhonda Vincent & the Rage / Ragin' Live / Rounder
• Sawing On The Strings / Reno & Smiley / On Stage / Copper Creek
• Just Wondering Why / Jim & Jesse / Jim & Jesse, 1952-1955 / Bear Family
• Cannonball Blues / Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs / Live At Vanderbilt / Sony
• Foggy Mountain Chimes / Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs / The Essential Earl Scruggs / Columbia
• In Despair / David Peterson & 1946 / In The Mountaintops To Roam / Self-Produced
• Early / Gibson Brothers / Spread Your Wings / Hay Holler
• Remembrance Is A Golden Chain / Heather Berry & Tony Mabe / The Heather Berry & Tony Mabe Show / Mountain Fever Records
• Ol' Lonesome Won't Leave Me Alone / The Boxcars / All In / Mountain Home
• The Train Song / Spinney Brothers / Memories / Mountain Fever Records
• Day In The Life Of A Railroad Spike / Balsam Range / Papertown / Mountain Home
• Let's Part The Best Of Friends / Johnson Mountain Boys / Favorites / Rounder
• Nightwalk / Eddie & Martha Adcock with Tom Gray / Many A Mile / Patuxent Music
• No Blues Is Good News / Charlie Sizemore Band / Good News / Rounder
• Destination Love / Lynn Morris Band / You'll Never Be The Sun / Rounder
• Sittin' On Top Of The World / Lonesome River Band / Chronology, Volume 3 / Rural Rhythm
• Big Sciota / Randy Jones / When Old Lonesome Comes Around / Self-Produced
• I Am A Pilgrim / Country Gentlemen / On The Road (And More) / Smithsonian Folkways

"Bluegrass Cafe" playlist - 11/18/2012

The basketball season has officially started at the University of CT, and that means that the season of occasional sports-related preemptions has also begun.  The start time for today's Bluegrass Cafe was about 25 minutes past 4PM, but even though the program time was shortened, we still included a lot of fine music...or that's what I'd like to think, anyway.

White Mountain Bluegrass at Country Corner Coffee House - 11/17/2012

The show began with several tunes from New Hampshire-based White Mountain Bluegrass.  Hazel and Mac McGee of White Mountain have been married for 55+ years, and they've been leading their band for nearly 44 years.  The International Bluegrass Music Museum recognizes Hazel and Mac as Pioneers Of Bluegrass, and that's a great thing, as they are definitely New England treasures.  Hazel's had a rough time for the last couple of years with her health, and eldest McGee son (and White Mountain banjo picker), Herman, announced at a Country Corner Coffee House show on Saturday night that 2013 could be their last year playing music.  That would be sad, as there's no doubt that Hazel, Mac, Herman, and all of their White Mountain bandmates over the years have been terrific ambassadors for BG music, both in New England, and through their touring in Europe over the years.  

Mac McHale (with guitar) with the Radio Gang
(Herman McGee, banjo; Sally Roc, bass; John Roc, mandolin)

One of those White Mountain bandmates for a time was Allan "Mac" McHale, who died on November 11th after playing a show in his hometown of Bangor, Maine.  Mac was 80 years old, and had also been recognized as a Pioneer Of Bluegrass by IBMM.  During his music career, Mac had been part of many bands which played several different styles of music, including old-time country music, Irish music, and Bluegrass.  Today, we featured a couple of songs from one of Mac's most recent groupings, The Radio Gang, as well as one tune from Herman McGee's "Family & Friends" project from a couple of years ago.  RIP, Mac McHale.

Stan Keach even painted the loon on the cover of his new CD.

We almost always try to make newer music part of our programming at Bluegrass Cafe, and today was no exception.  Among the 2012 releases  played today were songs by performers such as Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass, Nightflyer, Loafers' Glory, Bob Amos, Jeff Parker, Balsam Range, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers, David Peterson, and the Spinney Brothers.  Included, too, were a couple of tracks from a 14-song tribute to the State of Maine by Maine songwriter, Stan Keach.  The CD -- "Cry Of The Loon & Other Original Songs About Maine" -- features just what it says:  songs written or co-written by Stan Keach about Maine topics as varied as lobstermen, moose, L.L. Bean, and the 20th Maine Civil War regiment that defended Little Round Top at Gettysburg, just to name a few.  This is a fun disc to listen to, and one you'll likely be hearing more from in future weeks on Bluegrass Cafe.

James and Cathy Ward will be away this week, so I'll be sitting in for their "Bluegrass Rules" program from 3-5PM on Tuesday afternoon.  Join me then, if you can, but if not, be sure to tune in next Sunday from 4-7PM when Jim is playing some great BG music for you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Amy

• Katy Hill / Del McCoury Band / RockyGrass / Blue Planet
• Timber, I'm Falling / White Mountain Bluegrass / January Weekend / R-Own
• I Wonder How The Old Folks Are At Home / White Mountain Bluegrass / Aragon Mill / Strictly Country
• Never Get To Hold You In My Arms Anymore / White Mountain Bluegrass / Oh So Many Years / Self-Produced
• Lamplighting Time / Radio Gang / Two Different Roads / Fishtraks
• Jimmy Brown, The Newsboy / Herman McGee with Mac McHale / Family & Friends / Self-Produced
• Glory Days / Radio Gang / Two Different Roads / Fishtraks
• Ragged Man / Gibson Brothers / Life Goes On / Rural Rhythm
• Shouting Time In Heaven / Kenny & Amanda Smith / Life Goes On / Rural Rhythm
• Six Feet Under The Ground / Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper / Life Goes On / Rural Rhythm
• Boogie Grass Band / Ronnie Reno & the Reno Tradition / Portfolio / Self-Produced
• Love Please Come Home / Reno & Smiley / Bluegrass 1963 / Rural Rhythm
• Proud Mary / Bill Emerson & Cliff Waldron / The Best Of Emerson & Waldron / Rebel
• Foggy Mountain Rock / Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs / Flatt & Scruggs At Carnegie Hall! / Koch Records
• Fox On The Run / Tony Trischka with Tom Adams & Dudley Connell / Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular / Rounder
• Country Boy Rock And Roll / Reno & Smiley / Good Old Country Ballads / King
• Road Into Town / Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass / Road Into Town / Patuxent Music
• Snowbird / Missy Werner / Drifting And Dreaming / Self-Produced
• The Hangman's Daughter / Nightflyer / Nightflyer / Kang Records
• Crow, Little Rooster / Loafers' Glory / Loafers' Glory / Arhoolie Records
• Walking The Floor Over Me / Charlie Sizemore / Heartache Looking For A Home / Rounder
• I'll Never See My Home Again / Fred Pike, Bill Rawlings & the Twin River Boys / Authentic Bluegrass Folk Music / Osage
• Aroostook County / Stan Keach & Friends / Cry Of The Loon & Other Original Songs About Maine / Self-Produced
• Slow Down (You'll Hit A Moose) / Stan Keach & Friends / Cry Of The Loon & Other Original Songs About Maine / Self-Produced
• Seen It All / Bob Amos / Borrowed Time / Bristlecone
• Washington And Lee Fling / Pike Family & the Pine Hill Ranchers / To Warm And Comfort You / Rebel
• Memories / Spinney Brothers / Memories / Mountain Fever Records
• Lord I Hate To See My Darlin' Go / Jeff Parker / Go Parker! / Lonesome Day Records
• Mash Your Finger / Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa / It's Gonna Be A Beautiful Day! / Raincoe Music
• Other Side Of The Mountain / Balsam Range / Papertown / Mountain Home
• Steel Guitar Rag / Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers / They're Playing Our Song / Rebel
• Wild Rose Of The Mountain / Cathy Fink, Laurie Lewis, Marcie Marxer, Molly Mason, Sally Van Meter / Blue Rose / Sugar Hill
• Final Farewell / Chris Jones & the Night Drivers / Lost Souls & Free Spirits / Rebel
• The Man In The Middle / Dave Evans / Hang Out A Light For Me / Rebel
• Beyond Those Gates / Lee Marcus / Grandpa's Pond / Self-Produced
• Are You Washed In The Blood / David Peterson / Simplicity / Self-Produced
• Count Your Blessings / Kathy Kallick [with Laurie Lewis] / Count Your Blessings / Live Oak Records
• Along The Way / Country Gentlemen / Let The Light Shine Down / Rebel
• You Better Wake Up / Volume Five / Children Of The Mountain / Mountain Fever Records
• God Has Been So Good To Me / Crowe & McLaughlin / Going Back / Rounder
• Eat At The Welcome Table / Bluegrass Patriots / Springtime In The Rockies / Copper Creek
• Joy Of Revelation / McCoury Brothers / The McCoury Brothers / Rounder
• Black Mountain Blues / Johnson Mountain Boys / Requests / Rounder

Fill-in Playlist for Saturday 11/17/2012

Hi Folks.

I like fill-ins for absent DJs because I can play music worth listening to that doesn't necessarily fit the Bluegrass Cafe format.

The Bluegrass Travelers
Randy Hawkins, J.R. Smith, Bill Hall

For a one-hour fill-in today 4-5pm, I focused on local Connecticut, Massachusetts, and other New England bluegrass and country artists -- several with historical and rare recordings.

This included Massachusetts banjo phenom Dan Menzone, a bunch of historic recordings on 45 RPM records from the Pike Brothers, Earlene Pike, Nancy Ann (who is now known as Darlene Champagne), and The Bluegrass Travelers with principal artists Bill Hall and Randy Hawkins.

I also played a tribute to Maine country and bluegrass pioneer Mac McHale, who died last Sunday 11/11/2012, with songs from his Taylors Grove CD with Carolyn Hutton, and songs from the last CD from The Radio Gang with John and Sally Roc and Herman McGee.

And I couldn't forget the great Kenny Roberts.

Hope this was enjoyable and informative.

Jim Beaver

Mac McHale (g), Herman McGee (bj),
Sally Roc (bs), John Roc (mn)

Carolyn Hutton and Mac McHale

Darlene Champagne

Darlene Champagne a.k.a. Nancy Ann

Song / Artist / Album / Label

• Menzone Drive / Dan Menzone / Menzone Drive / LC Productions
• Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy / The Pike Brothers / 45 RPM Single / Rebel
• Love Someone Like Me / Darlene And Reflections Of Bluegrass / If It Ain't Love / Self-produced
• We Don't Realize / Nancy Ann / 45 RPM Single / ZAP
• I Know You're Wrong / Nancy Ann / 45 RPM Single / ZAP
• When I Love / Nancy Ann / 45 RPM Single / ZAP
• May You Never Be Alone Like Me / Earlene Pike / 45 RPM Single / ZAP
• Gold Watch And Chain / Taylors Grove / Keep On The Sunny Side / Fishtraks
• Theme-Walking In My Sleep / Mac McHale and the Radio Gang / Two Different Roads / Fishtraks
• Going Back To Dixie / Taylors Grove / Keep On The Sunny Side / Fishtraks
• Two Different Roads / Mac McHale and The Radio Gang / Two Different Roads / Fishtraks
• Valley Of Peace / Taylors Grove / Keep On The Sunny Side / Fishtraks
• Wildwood Flower / Mac McHale and The Radio Gang / Two Different Roads / Fishtraks
• Slide Them Jugs Down The Mountain / Kenny Roberts with Hardrock Gunter / 33-1/3 RPM EP Single / Ess Gee
• Dream Dream Dream / The Bluegrass Travelers / 45 RPM Single / Rebel
• Image Of A Living Doll / The Pike Brothers and Earlene / 45 RPM Single / Rebel
• Washington And Lee Fling / The Pike Brothers / 45 RPM Single / Rebel

"Bluegrass Cafe" Playlist - 11/11/2012 Veterans Day

Hi Folks.

This show fell on Veterans Day, so we saluted our veterans with some songs running the gamut of situations and emotions facing veterans.

Additionally, we remembered Don Stover on the 16th anniversary of his death.

We also brought a good bit of newer music to the airwaves including songs from Ray Edwards, The Grass Cats, The Lonesome River Band, Rhonda Vincent, Darrell Webb, Danny Paisley, Joe Mullins, Kathy Kallick, Ricky Skaggs, Feller & Hill, Robert Hale, and Nu-Blu.

The Heritage Corner was busy today with some of the Veteran-themed songs, such as those by Charlie Monroe, J.D. Crowe and Red Allen, Wilma Lee Cooper, and a relatively rare 45 single from The Kentucky Travelers.

Join Amy next week when the banjos and fiddles will ring again.

Jim Beaver

Title/Artist/Album/Label

• Fire On The Mountain/Michael Cleveland/Sawing On The "C" String/Self-released
• Down Where The River Bends/J.D. Crowe/Bluegrass Holiday/Rebel
• No Vacancy/Valerie Smith/Blame It On The Bluegrass/Bell Buckle
• I'm Comin' Back But I Don't Know When/Charlie Monroe/I'm Old Kentucky Bound/Bear Family
• Margie/Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass/Road Into Town/Patuxent
• War Is Hell/American Drive/Self-titled/Rural Rhythm
• My Southern Soldier Boy/Larry Gillis/Today Marks The Day/Tinman
• Brown Hill/Lost & Found/Classic Bluegrass/Rebel
• Hungry Heart/The Grass Cats/The Mountains My Baby And Me/New Time
• My Name Is Jimmy Martin (Do You Remember Me?)/Ray Edwards/Portrait Of A Bluegrass Songwriter/Rural Rhythm
• Sorry County Blues/Lonesome River Band/Chronology Volume Three/Rural Rhythm
• God Bless The Soldier/Rhonda Vincent/All-American Bluegrass Girl/Rounder
• She's Out Of Here/Darrell Webb Band/Breaking Down The Barriers/Rural Rhythm
• Two Little Boys/Bob Paisley & The Southern Grass/Who Will Calm The Storm/Strictly Country
• Dig A Hole In The Meadow/Pete Corum/The Best of Pete Corum/Rising Sun
• Pray For the Boys/Ralph Stanley/Pray For The Boys/Rebel
• Things In Life/Don Stover/Things In Life/Rounder
• Little Joe/Dave Evans & Riverbend/The Vetco Sessions/Vetco
• Lord I Hate To See My Darlin' Go/Jeff Parker/Go Parker!/Lonesome Day
• Homeless Of The Brave/Detour/A Better Place/BlueGrass Ahead
• Goin' Across The Sea/J.D. Crowe & The New South/Life Goes On/Rural Rhythm
• She Left Me Standing On The Mountain/Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers/They're Playing My Song/Rebel
• Fare Thee Well/Kathy Kallick Band/Time/Live Oak
• Building The Fire/Balsam Range/Papertown/Mountain Home
• Big Blue Roses/Feller & Hill and the Bluegrass Buckaroos/Self-titled/Self-released
• Song On The Jukebox/Karl Shiflett And Big Country Show/Take Me Back/Pinecastle
• Right Here/The Missy Werner Band/Three Kinds Of Lonesome/Self-released
• Life Finds A Way/The Grascals/Life Finds A Way/Mountain Home
• Hello Mr. Lonesome/The Grascals/Life Finds A Way/Mountain Home
• Tennessee Stud/Ricky Skaggs/Music To My Ears/Skaggs Family
• The Sad Wind Sighs/Nightflyer/Self-titled/Kang
• Damn Yankee Lad/The Osborne Brothers/When The Roses Bloom In Dixieland/Pinecastle
• Going Back To Dixie/Taylors Grove/Keep On The Sunny Side/Fishtraks
• Sweet Hearts Again/Fred Etheridge w. Nick Anderson & Mark Doyle/Pickin' And Singin'/Self-released
• Borrowed Time/Bob Amos/Borrowed Time/Bristlecone
• Did She Mention My Name?/Robert Hale/Pure & Simple/Pinecastle
• Blue Monday Morning/Travers Chandler & Avery County/Pardon Me.../Mountain Fever
• Bear Tracks/Larry Stephenson/What Really Matters/Compass
• River Of Regret/Mark Houser & Bluegrass Drive/Uneven Road/Rural Rhythm
• Old Kentucky Hills/The Kentucky Travelers/45 RPM Single/Starday (45)
• Are You Waiting Just For Me/Red Allen/Lonesome And Blue/Rebel
• The Chair/Audie Blaylock and Redline/Hard Country/Rural Rhythm
• Steel Guitar Rag/Various/Foggy Mountain Special/Rounder
• Close By/Del McCoury/Old Memories/McCoury Music
• Let My Feet Go Runnin'/Mickey Boles/Let My Feet Go Runnin'/Self-released
• Beulah Land/David Peterson/Simplicity/Self-released
• Martha And Mary/Nu-Blu/Nail By Nail/Pinecastle
• How Deep The Father's Love For Us/Sleepy Man Banjo Boys/The Farthest Horizon/Self-released
• Joshua/Rhonda Vincent/Sunday Mornin' Singin' Live!/Upper Management
• Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven (But Nobody Wants To Die)/Tommy Brown & The County Line Grass/Hard Drivin'/Lavenir
• Great Specked Bird/Wilma Lee Cooper/Hits - Keep On The Sunny Side/K-Tel
• The First Step To Heaven/Ralph Stanley w. Ricky Skaggs/Saturday Night & Sunday Morning/CRFreeland
• America The Beautiful/The Osborne Brothers/When The Roses Bloom In Dixieland/Pinecastle

A classic country & BG fill-in, 11/9/2012

Friday morning found me at WHUS for a three-hour fill-in program, and, as always, I kind of look at these fill-ins as an opportunity to play some classic country tunes that haven't been heard on the radio in a while.  It seems a bit lame to call it a "public service" to get those shaggy old honky tonk tunes on the radio, but sometimes, that's what it feels like.  As always, I squeezed in a few BG tunes, too, but primarily, we stuck to the country tunes on Friday morning.  Fun!  



Veterans Day happens on Sunday (celebrated on Monday this year, as that's the closest workday to November 11th), so it seemed quite obvious that we really needed to put together some songs that celebrate soldiers.  The challenging part is to find soldier songs that don't involve the soldier dying in battle.  Veterans Day is for celebrating anyone who has served in any of the U.S. armed forces -- not like Memorial Day, in which the primary focus is on soldiers who have died during service.  The Veterans Day songs we played on Friday came from several sources, including Don Reno, the Statler Brothers, BearTracks, the Spinney Brothers, and David Grisman.  Be sure to take a few moments this weekend to remember that Veterans Day is not just another day for pre-Christmas sales -- thanks to all vets!


While we were able to play nearly 60 songs in the 3-hour time period on Friday, we still managed to feature a couple of recordings and performers.  There's really no better way to appreciate a performer than to hear and/or see them perform live, and in the days before smoke machines and dance routines and audio sweetening gizmos, performers didn't have anything behind which they could hide.  Among the live performances we featured were several cuts each from Jim Reeves (recorded at a 1962 concert on a rainy day at Pennsylvania's Sunset Park) and Buck Owens (he played in a White House concert with the Buckaroos in 1968).  


If live music from those two Country Music Hall of Famers wasn't enough, we added a full "Health & Happiness" radio show from the one-and-only Hank Williams.  This one just featured Hank with the Drifting Cowboys -- no Miss Audrey.  Studio recordings of Hank are great to listen to and enjoy, but I believe that listening to Hank's live shows makes him come alive.  As long as they keep unearthing these live recordings of Hank's, I'm going to keep on listening.  Hope you will, too...

Amy


REQUESTS ARE RED.

• March Winds Gonna Blow My Blues All Away / Carter Family / Longing For Old Virginia / Rounder
• Pistol Packin' Papa / Jimmie Rodgers / The Essential Jimmie Rodgers / RCA
• Pistol Packin' Mama / Willie Nelson / Country Music / Rounder
• You Nearly Lose Your Mind / Ernest Tubb / The Definitive Collection / MCA
• Lonesome Blue Yodel / Hank Snow / The Singing Ranger / Living Era
• Blue Yodel #3 / Johnson Mountain Boys / Live At The Birchmere / Rounder
• California Blues / Seldom Scene / Act Four / Sugar Hill
• I'm In Love With You / Kitty Wells / Makin' Believe / Country Stars
• Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind) / Loretta Lynn / Country Music Hall Of Fame / MCA
• The Blizzard / Jim Reeves / The Velvet Voice Of Jim Reeves / Reader's Digest
• Medley (Walking The Floor Over You/There Stands The Glass/One By One/Guess Things Happen That Way/I Want To Be With You) / Jim Reeves / The Velvet Voice Of Jim Reeves / Reader's Digest
• Stand At Your Window / Jim Reeves / The Velvet Voice Of Jim Reeves / Reader's Digest
• If You've Got The Money, I've Got The Time / Lefty Frizzell / Your Cheatin' Heart / Dynamic
• Look What Thoughts Can Do / Merle Haggard / Roots, Volume 1 / Anti Records
• Lefty's Old Guitar / J.D. Crowe & the New South / Lefty's Old Guitar / Rounder
• I'd Rather Love A Memory / Missy Werner Band / Three Kinds Of Lonesome / Self-Produced
• Can't Live Life / Edgar Loudermilk with Rhonda Vincent / Roads Traveled / Mountain Fever Records
• Top Of The World / Michelle Nixon & Drive / A Place I Belong / Mountain Fever Records
• I Am Weary, Let Me Rest / Eddie & Martha Adcock with Tom Gray / Many A Mile / Patuxent Music
• I'm Layin' It On The Line / Don Rich / Country Pickin' / Sundazed
• You Ain't Gonna Have Ol' Buck To Kick Around No More / Buck Owens / Live At The White House / Omnivore Recordings
• Cajun Fiddle / Don Rich / Country Pickin' / Sundazed
• Act Naturally / Buck Owens & the Buckaroos / Live At The White House / Omnivore Recordings
• Together Again / Buck Owens & the Buckaroos / Live At The White House / Omnivore Recordings
• Love's Gonna Live Here / Buck Owens & the Buckaroos / Live At The White House / Omnivore Recordings
• Crying Time / Buck Owens & the Buckaroos / Live At The White House / Omnivore Recordings
• The Fightin' Side Of Me / Merle Haggard / The Best Of The Best Of Merle Haggard / Capitol
• She Thinks I Still Care / George Jones / The Essential George Jones / Epic
• Silver Wings / Merle Haggard / The Best Of The Best Of Merle Haggard / Capitol
• The Window Up Above / George Jones / The Essential George Jones / Epic
• Happy Rovin' Cowboy / Hank Williams / The Legend Begins / Time Life
• Mansion On The Hill / Hank Williams / The Legend Begins / Time Life
• There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight / Hank Williams / The Legend Begins / Time Life
• Tennessee Wagoner / Hank Williams feat. Jerry Rivers / The Legend Begins / Time Life
• The Prodigal Son / Hank Williams / The Legend Begins / Time Life
• Sally Goodin / Hank Williams feat. Jerry Rivers / The Legend Begins / Time Life
• Man In Black / Johnny Cash / The Essential Johnny Cash / Columbia
• Military Five String / Reno & Smiley / Sweethearts In Heaven / Bear Family
• Silver Medals And Sweet Memories / Statler Brothers / The Best Of The Statler Brothers Rides Again, Volume 2 / Mercury
• Traveling Soldier / BearTracks / Together 'Til The End / AMT Records
• Sally's Waltz / Spinney Brothers / Memories / Mountain Fever Records
• I'm Comin' Back But I Don't Know When / David Grisman / Home Is Where The Heart Is / Rounder
• I'll Be There (If You Ever Want Me) / Ray Price / The Essential Ray Price / Columbia
• Take My Ring From Your Finger / Johnnie & Jack / For Old Times Sake / Bear Family
• Loose Talk / Carl Smith / The Essential Carl Smith / Columbia
• Once A Day / Connie Smith / The Essential Connie Smith / RCA
• A Hundred Years From Now / Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs / Radio Gems / no label
• I Can't Like Myself / Gibson Brothers / Ring The Bell / Compass Records
• Hoping That You're Hoping / Louvin Brothers / My Baby's Gone, 1955-1964 / Raven
• Call Me Up (And I'll Come Callin' On You) / Marty Robbins / Live Classics / Koch Records
• Blue Blue Day / Don Gibson / RCA Country Legends / RCA
• Second Fiddle To An Old Guitar / Jean Shepard / Opry Country Classics, Volume 2 / Opry Music
• You're The Only World I Know / Sonny James / Grand Ole Opry Live Classics, Volume 2 / Opry Music
• Why Baby Why / Webb Pierce with Red Sovine / 20th Century Masters / MCA
• I Couldn't Believe It Was True / Roy Acuff / The Prodigal Son / Country Stars
• Keep On The Sunny Side / Carter Family / Opry Country Classics, Volume 2 / Opry Music
• Raw Hide / Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys / Anthology / MCA

"Bluegrass Cafe" playlist - 11/4/2012

Hey everybody - 

Today's show was my first since the middle of October, so I always think it's fun -- and slightly challenging -- to go back on the air after a bit of an absence.  The three hours seemed to fly by (for me, anyway), and we tried to fill 'em with a good bit of new music, songs from classic performers, and even a bit more.

Our special guest featured on the show was Gene White, Jr. -- the founder (and fiddler) for the regional band known as the Bluegrass Gospel Project.  This group was originally brought together in 2001 to play a one-time-only, First Night event in Burlington, VT.  Eleven years later, the band is still playing shows throughout New England, including a show at the Chaplin Congregational Church next Saturday, November 10th at 7PM.  (If you'd like more information on the show, please call 860-455-9400).  While the Bluegrass Gospel Project has released six records since they came together as a group, we included a good number of songs from their last two recordings:  "The Blue Morpho" (2009) and "Shine" (2012).  If you're in the neighborhood next Saturday evening, you might wish to take in the show -- perhaps we'll see you there?

Jim pretty well covered a few Halloween songs last Sunday, as well as one Bluegrass standard, of sorts, from the pen of the late Connie Gately (of the duo, Connie & Babe), who died on October 15th at the age of 83.  However, I couldn't fight the urge to play a few more spooky ghost tunes post-Halloween,  this time from the Country Gentlemen, the Seldom Scene, Del McCoury & the Dixie Pals, and Hot Rize.  To honor Connie Gately, we played three songs he either wrote or co-wrote.  Hope you enjoyed them.

We also briefly honored Country Music Hall of Famer, Bill Anderson who celebrated his 75th birthday this past week (born November 1, 1937).  Anderson is also a terrific songwriter, and we played two BG versions of songs he'd written that were country hits in the 1960s for Connie Smith ("Cincinnati, Ohio") and Charlie Louvin ("I Don't Love You Anymore").  The versions we played were performed by the Osborne Brothers and Johnson Mountain Boys, respectively.  

There was still time for a bit of new music, too, from a multitude of 2012 releases, some of which you may never have heard before.  Among the titles were collections by Ricky Skaggs, Sweet Potato Pie, the Spinney Brothers, Chris Brashear, RI songwriter Dawn Kenney, the Lonesome River Band, the Sleepy Man Banjo Boys, Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass, Jeff Parker, the Kathy Kallick Band, Richard Bennett, American Drive, Balsam Range, Grasstowne, and Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers.  

Be sure to tune in next week for another music-filled edition of the Bluegrass Cafe.  We'll be looking for you...

Have a good week!

Amy 



REQUESTS ARE RED.

• Katy Hill / Del McCoury Band / RockyGrass / Blue Planet
• Sugar Coated Love / Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys / Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys, 1950-1958 / JSP Records
• Eating Out Of Your Hand / Longview / Deep In The Mountains / Rounder
• Hey! Hey! Hey! / Stanley Brothers / Select Sides, 1959-1963 / JSP Records
• Loving You Too Well / Ricky Skaggs / Music To My Ears / Skaggs Family Records
• Bringing Mary Home / "Original" Country Gentlemen / Bluegrass:  The World's Greatest Show / Sugar Hill
• I've Come To Take You Home / Seldom Scene / Like We Used To Be / Sugar Hill
• Eli Renfro / Del McCoury & the Dixie Pals / Classic Bluegrass / Rebel
• Footsteps So Near / Hot Rize / Traditional Ties / Sugar Hill
• Hey Lonesome / Bluegrass Album Band / The Bluegrass Compact Disc, Volume 2 / Rounder
• Roly Poly / Sweet Potato Pie / Brand New Day / Mountain Fever Records
• Rebels Ye Rest / Spinney Brothers / Memories / Mountain Fever Records
• Roll On Blues / Audie Blaylock & Redline / Audie Blaylock & Redline / Rural Rhythm [written by Connie Gately]
• The Lonely Years / Bear Bridge Band / Bear Essentials / Open Road [co-written by Connie Gately]
• Home Is Where The Heart Is / Connie & Babe & the Backwoods Boys / Hand-Picked / Rounder [written by Connie Gately]
• That's The Way Love Goes / Bluegrass Gospel Project / Shine / Vital Records
• Age / Bluegrass Gospel Project / The Blue Morpho / Vital Records
• Conversation with Gene White, Jr. of the Bluegrass Gospel Project
• Travel, Travel On / Bluegrass Gospel Project / Shine / Vital Records
• I Am A Pilgrim / Bluegrass Gospel Project / The Blue Morpho / Vital Records
• The Old Pueblo / Chris Brashear / Heart Of The Country / Dog Boy Records
• Reach High / Dawn Kenney / Sing Me Home / Self-Produced
• Harvest Time / Lonesome River Band / Chronology, Volume 3 / Rural Rhythm
• Shuckin' The Corn / Sleepy Man Banjo Boys / The Farthest Horizon / Self-Produced
• I Overlooked An Orchid / Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass / Road Into Town / Patuxent Music
• Let's Be Sweethearts Again / Jeff Parker with Dailey & Vincent / Go Parker! / Lonesome Day Records
• Old Red Mandolin / Kathy Kallick Band / Time / Live Oak Records
• Don Quixote / Richard Bennett / Last Train From Poor Valley / Lonesome Day Records
• No One Know / Pike Family & the Pine Hill Ranchers / To Warm And Comfort You / Rebel
• Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven / Bluegrass Gospel Project / The Blue Morpho / Vital Records
• Is It Too Late To Settle Down / American Drive / American Drive / Rural Rhythm
• Row By Row / Balsam Range / Papertown / Mountain Home
• This Old Guitar And Me / Grasstowne with Ronnie Bowman / Hot New Singles / Mountain Fever Records
• Cincinnati, Ohio / Osborne Brothers / Hillbilly Fever / CMH [written by Bill Anderson]
• I Don't Love You Anymore / Johnson Mountain Boys / Requests / Rounder [written by Bill Anderson]
• Old Roman Soldier / Spinney Brothers / Memories / Mountain Fever Records
• Springtime In Heaven / Reno & Smiley / Early Years, 1950-1959 / Gusto
• Moses, Set My People Free / Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers / They're Playing My Song / Rebel
• Far Side Banks Of Jordan / Beartracks / Together 'Til The End / AMT Records
• Paul And Silas / Country Gentlemen / Let The Light Shine Down / Rebel
• Gone Home / Gibson Brothers / Iron & Diamonds / Sugar Hill
• Lord Lift Me Up / Bluegrass Patriots / E Pluribus Bluegrass / Red Feather
• Get In Line Brother / Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs / Foggy Mountain Gospel / Columbia
• On The Sea Of Life / Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver / Every Time I Feel The Spirit / Sugar Hill
• Black Mountain Blues / Johnson Mountain Boys / Requests / Rounder

Special Guest Sunday...

Hey everybody -


As you may know, one of the weekly features on the Bluegrass Cafe is the infamous Bluegrass Calendar, in which we try to keep listeners somewhat updated and informed about various BG events taking place in southern New England. While there are far fewer outdoor events this time of year -- for obvious reasons -- there is still a boatload of indoor shows. Coming up on Saturday, November 10th, there'll be another fine indoor show happening very near to our home base in Storrs, CT; in fact, this one goes on in the neighboring town of Chaplin, CT when the Vermont-based Bluegrass Gospel Project will be performing at the Chaplin Congregational Church, 43 Chaplin Street, Chaplin. Showtime is 7PM -- doors open at 6PM. For more show information, call 860-455-9400.


The Bluegrass Gospel Project (or, BGP) has been impressing audiences with expertly-rendered performances since its inception in 2001. They continue to thrill listeners with their impeccable vocal harmonies on all kinds of songs, from pop to folk to, of course, Bluegrass. While their name might lead you to believe the band primarily is one who performs gospel music, that is not necessarily the case.

To learn more about the Bluegrass Gospel Project, visit the band online at www.bluegrassgospelproject.com. We'll also talk a lot more about the band and their Chaplin show during the Bluegrass Cafe on Sunday, November 4th when I chat with BGP founder (and fiddler), Gene White, Jr. The plan is to visit with Gene on the phone beginning around 5PM -- hope you can join me!


And don't forget -- Daylight Savings Time ends on November 4th, so be sure to set your clocks back one hour before turning out the lights when you go to bed Saturday night, November 3rd.


Amy O.