First generation bluegrass banjo picker Jim Smoak will be this weekend’s guest on Best of Bluegrass with Bob Mitchell. Jim had recorded and toured with Bill Monroe, Hylo Brown, Little Jimmy Dickens and Arthur Smith in the 1950s and ’60s. He also had a career as a band leader with the The Louisiana Honeydrippers, and as a solo recording artist.
Smoak’s songwriting credits include familiar titles like This Heart of Mine, You Can Share My Blanket, Cold Sailor and Colly Davis.
Mitchell gave a brief preview of what to expect on the show.
“Jim shares fascinating stories about his 62 years in the music business including an on-the-road story about traveling with Bill Monroe and Jimmy Martin. Jim also talks about his latest recording, Smoak House Jam: Songs from The High and Low Country. You will hear several tracks from the project and a historic festival recording of Jim when he was working with Hylo Brown.”
There are several opportunities to catch the show. It broadcasts on WMAK from 4:00-6:00 p.m. (ET) on Saturday (3/8) at 101.3 FM, and via online streaming. On Tuesday (3/11), it can be heard on The Bluegrass Mix online at 10:00 a.m. (ET).
Folks in Owensboro, KY can hear the show on WKWC FM 90.3 on Saturday morning (3/8) from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. (CT).
For anyone who cares about good banjo music or the early days of bluegrass, this should be appointment listening.
