West Virginia author B. L. Dotson-Lewis has published her third book on the people and culture of the Appalachian region.
The Sunny Side of Appalachia: Bluegrass from the Grassroots traces the early days of the music through first person oral histories from seminal grassers Everett Lilly, Jesse McReynolds, Bobby Osborne and Aubrey Holt. Their stories are related verbatim, retaining the dialectical quirks of the original conversations.
The focus is on how these early artists told the stories of mountain people through their songs, and how they continued to do so against the odds stacked against them – dismissive record companies, low wages and small town venues.
Lewis also includes a narrative on Bill Monroe based on her research of available resources, and personal testimony from friends and business associates.
The book runs to 184 pages and is printed with large text and many black and white photos. It sells for $15.95 and can be ordered online.
Bobby Osborne and J.D. Crowe are hitting the road, together. The two legends are planning to tour as part of The American Bluegrass Masters concert tour. Organizers are stating this is the first time in 50 years that Crowe and Osborne have toured together. The tour is being promoted as featuring Living Legends & Next Generation Stars.
Once again, The Grand Ole Opry has some bluegrass to offer in this weekend’s broadcasts.
Friday night’s Opry (6/13) will feature performances from Mountain Heart, The Whites and Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top X-Press while Saturday (6/14) night has 3 Fox Drive and the Carolina Chocolate Drops on tap.
Kim Fox of 3 Fox Drive tells us that they will also be performing Saturday evening at the Opry Plaza Party, a free event just outside the Opry House that starts at 5:30 p.m.
“We’re really looking forward to the weekend as we’re flying our dad in for Father’s Day. Crossing our fingers that the weather holds out!!”
The Friday Opry is broadcast from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. (EST) and the Saturday show runs from 7:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Both shows are available over the air in the Nashville market on WSM AM 650, on XM channel 11 (XM Nashville), and simulcast worldwide via online streaming at wsmonline.com.
The famous Wheeling, West Virginia, radio programme, the Wheeling Jamboree, on WWVA 1170AM, returns the air on Saturday, April 19. The Wheeling Jamboree Inc. will host their first show from John Marshall Center for the Performing Arts in Glen Dale, West Virginia.
On the bill is Bobby Osborne, who comes back to the stage on which he and his brother, Sonny, as the Osborne Brothers, were stalwarts in the 1950s and 1960s. Topping the bill is country star Earl Thomas Conley, a contemporary country music star in the1980s, while also on the show are Bluegrass Express from Eastern Ohio, Logan Wells from Cleveland who does a great tribute to Patsy Cline, and Roger Hoard with the Fabulous Bender Boys.
Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top X-Press can be heard also on their latest Rounder CD, Bluegrass Melodies (0582).
Tickets for this show are available at Wheeling Jamboree website or by calling 800-875-8702. Show time is 7:00 to 10:oo p.m. (EDT). Doors open at 5:30 pm.
Radio station WWVA aired its first broadcast on December 13, 1926, and like so many radio stations at the time it had its own Barn Dance featuring local music talent, particularly yodelers. Spurred by the success of these live music shows WWVA owner George W. Smith gathered several local musicians, set them up at WWVA’s Hawley Building studios, and broadcast the program as a late-night Saturday Jamboree. The first Wheeling Jamboree took place in the station’s Hawley Building studios in January 1933.
During its very storied history the Wheeling Jamboree has been the home to many fine singers.
Among the early performers were Loye Donald Pack, professionally known as singer/guitarist “Cowboy” Loye; “wandering minstrel” Elmer Crowe and Marshall Jones, the banjo and guitar player who would later achieve fame as Grandpa Jones. These were followed by Doc Williams and his Border Riders, Chickie Williams, Doc’ wife, who became legends on the programme; Lee and Juanita Moore; Dusty Owens; the Clinch Mountain Clan, led by Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper; Everett Lilly; Little Jimmy Dickens; Harold “Hawkshaw” Hawkins; Charlie Louvin; the afore-mentioned Osborne Brothers; Mac Wiseman; the Davis Sisters; the Stanley Brothers; Jim Greer’s Mac-O-Chee Valley Folks; and Brad Paisley, a twelve-year-old when he made his debut.
The programme celebrated its seventieth year of continuous broadcasts in 2003. Only the Grand Ole Opry has had a longer stage run. For millions of country music fans who come to the Capitol Music Hall every year, or who tune in the station on a Saturday night, Jamboree USA is an important piece in the country music tapestry.
The show ran for 72 years, until in 2005, when the Wheeling Capitol Music Hall changed ownership.
Wheeling Jamboree, Inc. is a non-profit corporation established by a group of dedicated individuals who have decided to revive the show, to promote educational opportunities in the music industry and performing arts, and to promote travel and tourism to the Wheeling area.
Wichita Rutherford is reporting this morning on the latest lawsuit to involve a bluegrass celebrity.
Bobby Osborne has reportedly been sued for $16 million, in a suit claiming he caused irreparable hearing damage to a listener’s ears, when hitting the high note in Ruby. The suit alleges that the note, unamplified, reached an ear shattering 190 decibels. That volume level would rival that of the largest commercially available firearm.
Furthermore, the suit goes on to imply that Osborne did this maliciously.
Mr. Osborne is a phenomenal singer, there’s no question about that, however, he used a high note as a weapon. This isn’t the first time either.
It appears the suit is being settled out of court for a lesser sum than the plaintiff originally requested from the court.
Former Blue Grass Boy Larry Richardson passed away on Fathers Day, June 17, after a six-month long battle with colon cancer. He died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Lake Butler, Florida.
Born August 9, 1927, in the Galax area of Virginia, Richardson was a highly-rated old style mountain banjo player, someone who epitomised the early days of bluegrass music. He was from the old school of lead/tenor singers, crystal clear and high and real lonesome. Also, as can be heard on his work with the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, he was a talented lead guitarist.
He penned Don’t Forget Me, the perennially popular Pain in My Heart, Will I Meet Mother in Heaven and Lonesome, Sad and Blue with Bobby Osborne, each of which was recorded in March 1950 while the duo were with the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. These recordings are also found on an album in Rounder’s Early Days Of Bluegrass series, Vol. 3 – New Sounds Ramblin’ from Coast to Coast.
Richardson worked with Bill Monroe during the 1950-1951 period.
Larry Richardson can be heard in the form of several tracks on the 1957 Various Artists LP American Banjo Three-Finger and Scruggs Style (Folkways FA 2314, re-issued on CD as Smithsonian Folkways 40037), Dear Old Dixie, Little Maggie, Take Me Back To the Sweet Sunny South , Bucking Mule and Lonesome Road Blues.
Another Larry Richardson recording is found on a later Folkways album, Galax, Virginia; Old Fiddler’s Convention (Folkways FA 2435, 1964). Accompanied by Sonny Miller and Johnny Jackson, Richardson plays a fine rendition of Turkey In The Straw.
Also, in the mid 1960s County Records put out a full LP featuring Richardson with Red Barker & the Blue Ridge Boys. Blue Ridge Bluegrass (County 702) comprised a dozen excellent cuts that underlined Richardson’s high rating within the traditional bluegrass field. The lead cut was the superb Let Me Fall.
Other driving renditions of great quality bluegrass include:
Pain in my Heart
My Home’s Across the Blue Ridge Mountains
Paul and Silas
Sad And Lonesome Day
I Don’t Love (‘a) Nobody
In the late 1960s Larry had a television show that aired in the Winston Salem area.
Other recordings include another version of Let Me Fall, along with Larry’s Ride, Nashville Jail, I’m Lonesome and Lonesome Road Blues, four of which were with Happy Smith. All of these tracks are featured on the County compilation album Springtime in the Mountains (County 749, 1975). Most of these recordings were from 1958.
Larry Richardson spent the last 30 years of his life traveling, singing and preaching. During this period he recorded a Gospel album, Ship Of Zion (Lifeline 4070) that was released in 1983.
Richardson was a significant figure in the early days of bluegrass, but perhaps he never received full credit during his lifetime. I hope that this brief tribute goes some way towards recognising his true worth as a member of the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers and the Blue Grass Boys and beyond.
Bluegrass legend Bobby Osborne has just released a his new CD, Bluegrass Melodies. Bobby has long been a favorite of mine. The smooth, clear quality of his high lonesome singing serves as a constant example of what bluegrass singing should sound like. Mr. Osborne does not disappoint on this new recording.
The band on the CD is the same band you’ll see at a show, Rocky Top X-Press. The band consists of Daryl Mosely on bass, Dana Cupp on banjo, Bobby Osborne Jr. on guitar, Mat Despain on dobro, and of course Bobby Osborne himself on mandolin. All the band members contribute vocally to the project.
The only thing you’ll hear on the CD that differs from the band is the addition of Glen Duncan’s superb fiddle playing, and a special guest vocalist on the last song (see below).
I asked Bobby what the most enjoyable part of the experience in making this CD was.
The most enjoyabe part of making the cd is having a great band to work with and my long time friend and producer Glen Duncan. His super work with the Fiddle is another one of my favorite things on the cd.
Let’s talk about the songs on this disc. The CD opens with a classic Osborne sound on the song, What Kind of Fool. If this tune sets the stage for the rest of the CD, we’re in for a good listen.
The second song is the title cut and slows the tempo down, but the singing is so incredible you’ll be compelled to listen.
Bobby’s treatment of Lonesome River is outstanding. This song is one of those fast 3/4 time songs that Ron Stuart refers to as “heavy 3/4.” Bobby makes you feel the emotion of the lyrics with the lonesomeness of his voice. And watch out for the last chorus, wow!
I did ask Bobby if he had a favorite song from the CD.
lt would be hard for me to determine my favorite song but l like Lonesome River a lot.
I’d have to agree. This cut is worth the price of admission.
That high lonesome emotion comes through again on the last song, Go Rest High On That Mountain. Rhonda Vincent joins him on this cut, singing harmony on the choruses and taking the lead for the second verse. It’s easy to hear the similarities and realize the influence the Osborne sound has had on Rhonda.
I won’t comment on any other titles specifically since they are all worthy of mention in their own right. What does strike me about this recording in an overall sense is the quality of Bobby’s singing. It is consistent and inspiring. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this CD (several times) and remembering the classic Osborne Brothers sound that I like so much. Bobby, at age 75, has still got it. More than that, as this CD demonstrates, he’s still innovating.
Bobby Osborne’s second CD release with his new band, Rocky Top X-Press, is due from Rounder Records on July 10. Bluegrass Melodies will showcase the soulful voice and mandolin prowess of this 75 year old music legend.
The new CD was produced by Osborne and Glen Duncan, and includes three new original songs that Bobby wrote himself, along with some popular favorites like Lonesome River and Thank God I’m A Country Boy.
A certain highlight will be Bobby’s duet with Rhonda Vincent on Vince Gill’s Go Rest High On That Mountain, a haunting ode Gill wrote to his brother shortly after his untimely death.
Members of Rocky Top X-Press are Dana Cupp on banjo, David Crow on fiddle, Matt DeSpain on resonator guitar, Darryl Mosley on bass, Bobby Osborne, Jr. on guitar, and Bobby Sr. on mandolin. Bobby formed this group when his brother and long-time musical partner, Sonny, chose to retire, effectively disbanding The Osborne Brothers.
There are no audio samples up yet online for Bluegrass Melodies (that we can find), so we’ll post again when they turn up.
The state of Kentucky Department of Parks is teaming up with America’s Bluegrass Inc. to promote both bluegrass music and the state parks. A series of four concerts are to be held at three of the state parks this spring/summer in what is being called the Cradle of Bluegrass Music Trail.
The series features Kentucky natives who are bluegrass musicians including: Don Rigsby, Larry Cordle, Bobby Osborne, Kenny Bishop, Melvin Goins, the Grascals and, of course, J.D. Crowe and the New South.
The series begins April 7th at the Rough River Dan State Park near Leitchfield, continues April 21st at the Frankfort Convention Center (this show is headlined by Earl Scruggs), then on to Jenny Wiley State Resort Park on April 28, and concludes May 19 at the General Butler State Resort Park.
The genesis of the idea can be traced back to Charles Lewis, president of America’s Bluegrass Inc. Lewis hosts a bluegrass show on WSAZ-TV in Huntington, WV and on KET2, Kentucky Public Television. He approached the park department with the idea of a single concert.
J.T. Miller, commissioner of Kentucky State Parks, tells us what the purpose is of holding this concert series.
From our standpoint, it is to build excitement for and occupancy of our state parks, as well as promoting Bluegrass music in Kentucky. Charles Lewis proposed a “big name” event at the 5,000-seat Frankfort Convention Center to build public awareness of the “Trail.”
Lewis was responsible was choosing the talent for the concert series, but following his Grammy nomination, Miller suggested they add kenny Bishop to the lineup.
All concerts start at 1pm local time and will feature a combination of secular and gospel bluegrass music. Lodging packages are offered at the three state park shows and include the concert, a night’s lodging, meals, and a chance to meet the artists.
The state park concert tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. The convention center show tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets can be ordered by visiting the Kentucky State Park website.
J.T. Miller tells me that they may consider a similar event in the fall.
If successful, we’d like to do this in the fall at even more parks. Kentucky is truly the “Cradle” of Bluegrass, so it is natural that we would want to be a part of this.
Pinecastle has wonderful news for fans of The Osborne Brothers. They are set to release a 3 disk set recorded on July 30, 1989 in Streekermoor, Germany entitled, appropriately enough, The Osborne Brothers: Live In Germany. Tom Riggs at Pinecastle says that this is just the first of several unreleased Osborne Brothers recordings which they will put out over the next few years.
This concert was part of a European tour with Bill Monroe, and the accompanying liner notes from Sonny and Bobby describe bus travel with the Father of Bluegrass.
“While traveling, everyone wore just plain old riding clothes and such, but not Mr. Monroe. His traveling uniform was a suit and tie, along with his hat, which I thought was strange, but that was Monroe. Our only transportation was two small and I mean small, vans in which to carry two complete bands.”
The Osborne’s band at the time included Terry Eldridge on guitar/vocals and Terry Smith on bass – both currently members of The Grascals – and Steve Thomas on fiddle, along with Bobby and Sonny Osborne.
This live set includes two audio CDs, and a DVD video of the show. The audio has been painstakingly remastered, produced and overseen by Sonny Osborne with John Eberle of Americana Mastering. The DVD is included, despite the fact that it was not professionally recorded, because it is one of the few video recordings on the band from that era.
Many Osborne Brothers favorites are on tap: Kentucky, Listening To The Rain, Georgia Mules and Country Boys, Midnight Flyer, Tennessee Hound Dog and – of course – Rocky Top.
Pinecastle has The Osborne Brothers: Live In Germany scheduled for release on April 3, 2007.
