Darrell Waltrip, pickin’ and singin’

The overlap between the bluegrass and NASCAR audience is one we have mentioned in the past, and given the size of the racing scene, bluegrass is always happy to get some attention from the motorsports community.

Just last week, the folks in Owensboro, KY took some time to repay the favor by hosting a reception at the International Bluegras Music Museum for NASCAR champion and newly-inducted Hall Of Famer Darrell Waltrip. Though based now in Franklin, TN where he owns a number of auto dealerships, Waltrip is an Owensboro native, and during his visit back home for the festivities, he participated in a music video shoot to boost awareness of the IBMM and the many attractions along the river in O’boro.

The video is a joint effort from the Board and staff of the Bluegras Museum, the Owensboro/Davis County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the city of Owensboro. It was brought about by the work of a number of people, notably IBMM Board member Rosemary Conder, and Bill Brown with Motorsports Brand Development in Owensboro.

IBMM director Gabrielle Gray wrote a song, Owensboro Boogie, honoring their native son and to let the world know how proud they are that Darrell is from Owensboro. A studio recording has been produced, and a professional video crew was on hand at the April 11 reception, under the direction of Michael Hicks, to create a music video. Waltrip joined in the fun during the shoot, even pretending to play the banjo on stage.

A finished video should be released in the next few weeks, and will be available soon on YouTube. No audio has been released so far, but I am told that you can expect to hear “boogity, boogity, boogity” in the chorus.

Danny Clark at IBMM said that everyone involved is thankful for Darrell’s participation, and hopes that the video can help spread the word about the museum, the city’s new Riverfront Center, and their annual bluegrass festival, ROMP.

How cool would it be if Waltrip also featured it on the Speed Channel? Fingers crossed.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.