September 18 has been given as the release date for The Blue Are Still The Blues, a 15-song retrospective CD from Rebel Records taken from the four albums recorded for the label by The Traditional Grass in the 1990s.
The highly influential group featured the father/son team of the late Paul “Moon” Mullins, icon of The Boys From Indiana, and Joe Mullins, current leader of Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers. For many bluegrass fans, this was Joe’s introduction to the national market, along with Mark Rader on guitar and vocals, and north-central US legend, the late Gerald Evans. Mike Clevenger completed the band on bass.
Together they created a major buzz in the bluegrass world, bringing what has come to be described as the Ohio/Indiana sound to a wider market. They featured the sort of soaring harmonies that had been the hallmark of the Boys From Indiana two decades earlier, on a mix of newly-written songs and bluegrass classics.
While these original Rebel albums were enthusiastically received in the market, it was the band’s powerful live shows that cemented their status as bluegrass legends, and established the younger Mullins as among our most talented tenor singers and banjo players, a role he continues to this day.
Historians of the era rightly consider the emergence of The Traditional Grass as a major impetus for the revival among modern bands playing and writing new music within a solidly traditional bluegrass format.
Songs chosen for the retrospective project include:
The Blues Are Still The Blues
You Are My Flower
I’ll Not Be A Stranger
Rough Edges
The Shuffle of My Feet
A Broken Heart Keeps Beatin’
Old Joe
It’s Grand To Have Someone To Love You
I Believe In The Old-Time Way
She Has Forgotten
Lazarus
You’ll Never Be The Same
You Can Keep Your Nine Pound Hammer
Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar
Back To Hancock County
Anyone who missed this tremendous outfit in the ’90s will want to have this disc in their collection.
This week we are going to remember the life and times of America’s Blue Yodeler, the Singing Brakeman, and the Father of Country Music: the late, great Jimmie Rodgers. On Saturday, May 26, Jimmie Rodgers will have been gone 79 years.
Arguably the most significant man in American music, he has heavily influenced country, blues, folk, jazz, Hawaiian, rock, pop, Americana, western swing, jazz, and bluegrass music. To celebrate the life and times of Jimmie Rodgers, I will be highlighting a Jimmie Rodgers’ song each day and showcasing a popular bluegrass version or two of each song.
My Old Pal — Elsie McWilliams/Jimmie Rodgers
I’m thinking of you tonight, old Pal
And wishing that you were here
I’m dreaming of the times and the days gone by
When you filled my heart with cheer
I remember the nights when all alone
We sang Sweet Adeline
No other face can take your place
In my heart, old Pal of mine
[Yodel]
The old pals are always the best, you see
New friends you can find ev’ry day
But they can’t fill their place or ever be
Like the old pals of yesterday
I’m wondering just where you are tonight
And if you ever think of me
It would make my weary heart so light, Sweetheart
Your face again to see
But in my checked life I find
Nothing comes right it seems
Still you’ll always be a pal of mine
Though it may be only in dreams
[Yodel]
The old pals are always the best, you see
New friends you can find ev’ry day
But they can’t fill their place or ever be
Like the old pals of yesterday
My Old Pal is one of many songs in Jimmie Rodgers’ career written by his sister-in-law, Elsie McWilliams. Elsie wrote roughly thirty-nine songs for Rodgers, although she is only given credit for nineteen. She helped Jimmie with such songs as My Rough And Rowdy Ways, Everybody Does It In My Hawaii, Tuck Away My Lonesome Blues, You And My Old Guitar, Daddy And Home, Nobody Knows But Me, Never No Mo’ Blues, Blue Yodel No. 7, and more.
Rodgers had a relentless tour schedule. When he wasn’t on the road touring, Ralph Peer (of Victor Records and the famous Bristol Sessions) had Jimmie in the studio recording new songs. The key word there is new. Ralph, essentially, wanted only new material. This left quite a strain on Jimmie, so he turned to his sister-in-law, Elsie McWilliams, for help.
Jimmie noticed that Elsie had a knack for songwriting, after reading some poetry and children’s church songs she had written. He decided to have Elsie help him keep up the demand for new material. While Jimmie was on the road touring, Elsie would work on writing songs for her brother-in-law. When Jimmie would return, he would tweak them a bit to fit his style more. Many of these tunes ended up being some of his most successful.
While only accredited with nineteen of these songs, Elsie co-wrote nearly thirty-nine. Her reasoning for not taking co-writing credit on these other songs was that Jimmie needed the songs and the money, particularly due to Jimmie’s tuberculosis. Elsie reflects on this:
“I didn’t want a penny for those songs, you understand, if there was any money coming, I wanted him to have it. He was sick and broke and I loved ‘em both so very much.
He kept after me to sign a contract, but I wouldn’t, I didn’t want any of his money. But he kept after me anyway, so I finally agreed to accept 1/25th of a percent [.04%]… I nearly fainted when I got my first royalty check, it was for $256.56 dollars. I signed it right over to the church.”
Just for fun, here’s our math lesson of the day:
When calculating inflation over the past eight decades, that same $256.56 would be worth $3,234.78 today. Also, if $256.56 is .04% of the earnings, the total royalties would have equaled $641,400. $641,400 then is the equivalent of $8,086,953.88 now! (I can hear the songwriters’ jaws hitting the floor right now!)
Of Jimmie’s 111 issued recordings, Elsie McWilliams wrote 39 of them- roughly 35%. Many of Elsie’s songs have become some of Jimmie’s most popular. One of these is My Old Pal.
This one of those songs to which everyone can relate. We all know what it’s like to have and lose friends. Whether they were friends of a romantic nature or not, friends are friends, and losing them hurts. My Old Pal does a great job at connecting this experience to the listener, making it very relatable. We’ve all been in those shoes before, and after listening to My Old Pal, you’ll want to pick up and phone and call the “Old Pal” in your life. Elsie put it best when she wrote the chorus.
The old pals are always the best, you see
New friends you can find ev’ry day
But they can’t fill their place or ever be
Like the old pals of yesterday
Although this is a popular Jimmie Rodgers song, much of its acclaim came after Jimmie’s passing. Both Lefty Frizzell and Merle Haggard recorded tribute albums to The Father of Country Music which included My Old Pal. These stellar albums brought about a new awareness for Jimmie Rodgers’ music. One such is example is Mark Rader of The Traditional Grass.
The Traditional Grass was a popular bluegrass band in the 1980s and early ’90s based out of southern Ohio. They recorded four albums for Rebel Records, three of which are still in print. Featuring Mark Rader, Paul “Moon” Mullins, Joe Mullins, Gerald Evans Jr, and Mark Clevenger, The Traditional Grass have had some of their songs recut by such popular modern artists as Adam Steffey, Brandon Rickman, and Mickey Harris. They recorded two different Rodgers songs on their Rebel albums: Jimmie’s Texas Blues and My Old Pal.
Mark Rader attributes the Rodgers influence in his own style to Merle Haggard’s tribute album to Jimmie, Same Train, A Different Time.
“On his radio shows sometime back in the early 70’s, I heard Paul Mullins mention Merle Haggard’s tribute album to Jimmie Rodgers. He regularly featured cuts from it. I rushed out and bought a copy and have been heavily influenced by it ever since.”
As far as I know, The Traditional Grass’s version of My Old Pal is the only bluegrass version of this Jimmie Rodgers’ classic. Mark Rader’s distinguishable lead vocals deliver the song beautifully. Emotion and control are earmarks of a great singer, and both are executed here with ease.
You’ve heard the saying “Sometimes less is more”? Well this song could be the poster-child of that phrase. A simple arrangement featuring just Mark, his guitar, and Gene Wooten’s dobro does wonders. This provides more room for Mark’s voice and his beautiful guitar work to take the spotlight. Gene’s tasteful dobro compliments Mark brilliantly. In my opinion, My Old Pal has yet to be done as well as this. This recording is a masterpiece, and I’m sure you will agree.
After listening to My Old Pal, you will see why this has become such a popular Rodgers song, and why Elsie McWilliams was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 1979 for her work with The Father of Country Music.
Come back tomorrow for Rodgers Remembrance Vol V: Blue Yodel No. 1 (“T” for Texas).
If you enjoy the Rodgers Remembrances this week, feel free to tune in to my radio program, Bending The Strings, this Saturday afternoon on My Classic Country from 3:00-5:00 p.m. (EDT). In honor of the life of Jimmie Rodgers, I will be producing a very special tribute show including many of the songs discussed in the Rodgers Remembrances this week. You won’t want to miss it!
We have reported previously about Gerald Evans, the popular Kentucky bluegrass musician, singer and songwriter, and his battle with cancer. He had been diagnosed in the summer of 2009 with an aggressive, stage 4 cancer that was already widespread throughout his body.
Gerald lost his struggle this past Saturday (April 10) when he passed away early that morning at 50 years of age. He had been perhaps most visible nationally and internationally as a member of The Traditional Grass during the 1990s, but was well-known and loved in his native Kentucky and among the many bluegrass musicians and fans in the Bluegrass State.
Two of his bandmates from the Traditional Grass have sent remembrances of their dear friend. First up is Mark Rader, who played guitar and shared singing duties with Gerald.
“Gerald was a rough and tumble kind of guy with a heart of gold. He loved to play music more than anyone I have ever met, and he was darn good at it too! What a touch on that fiddle! And songwriting was something he did constantly.
He never met a stranger, and due to that and his love of jamming, he made many friends all across the country. When he joined The Traditional Grass in 1990, our group had been in existence for nearly seven years. Paul Mullins told him ‘You’ll have to make yourself a place here to where you’d be missed if you weren’t there.’
Little did we know that Gerald did this in anything he became involved with. He’ll be missed by all who knew and loved him.”
Joe Mullins has called Gerald a friend since they first started to play music together.
“I had the blessing of Gerald’s friendship for 25 years. We first met in the 1980’s when he was fiddling for Dave Evans. His time with the Goins Brothers in the late 80’s though was certainly memorable for me and thousands of fans. Gerald had been working eastern Kentucky and southern Ohio with Rick May and Bill Hamm. When all three joined Melvin and Ray as the Shed House Trio, they really lit a fire under two bluegrass pioneers and created a fantastic show! The Traditional Grass and the Goins Brothers worked dozens of the same festivals back then and Gerald, Rick and Bill became like brothers to me. We would jam all night!
The Trio got to record a gospel project for Vetco records in Cincinnati. One of the guys called me one afternoon and said ‘We are going to record and would like you to play banjo if you are available.’ I said ‘Absolutely – when is the session’ – they said ‘Tomorrow!’ So, I invited them to drive up to Ohio that evening so we could rehearse. My Dad cooked a kettle of beans and put them up that night and the session came off the next day with no problems at all. Oh the wonderful memories of being young and spontaneous!
Within the next year, the Traditional Grass began touring full-time and needed to expand our show. Me (banjo and vocals), Mark Rader (guitar and vocals), my Dad Paul Mullins (fiddle and vocals) and Glen Inman (bass) had been together several years as a four piece band. We needed a lot to take our music to the next level – mandolin, more vocal variety and original songs. Gerald Evans Jr, was all of the above. A good mandolin player, a great fiddler and showman, could sing ANY part and he was fast becoming one of the most thoughtful songwriters I have known.
Gerald had written some wonderful gospel songs in the 1980’s. He spent a little time in Nashville with Wayne Lewis and worked on Bill Monroe’s farm for a while. Monroe’s Grammy-winning album Southern Flavor included Gerald’s song Give Me Wings. He was really thankful for his time and friendship with Bill.
Gerald joined the Traditional Grass in September 1990. He was an immediate inspiration to our music, stage show and audience. He inspired me and Mark Rader to get much more creative vocally and to become songwriters ourselves. Over the next five years, we recorded four Traditional Grass CD’s for Rebel, each one featuring some of Gerald’s original songs, strong vocal, mandolin and fiddle work. Gerald and I also did an all instrumental CD of just old-time fiddle and banjo tunes.
He continued to create and perform great, original music through last year. He worked with the Wildwood Valley Boys, his own band Paradise and Don Rigsby and Midnight Call. I was so glad to record two of his songs on my latest CD with my band the Radio Ramblers.
One of my most memorable moments on the road with Gerald was in the summer of 1991. We were working the Smithsonian Folk Festival for a week in downtown Washington DC. One afternoon we were free to walk around town and site-see. As with any big city, you encounter a few unfortunate folks who are asking for a hand out. Gerald and I passed a homeless guy by an alley asking for money. Gerald said something to the guy as we passed. The next street had a vendor wagon selling food. Gerald bought a big burrito with the works and carried it back to the homeless guy. I have never forgotten that moment and I will never forget my friend Gerald.”
Funeral arrangements are being handled through Waddell & Whitt in Sandy Hook, KY. Visitation is scheduled for this afternoon (Monday April 12) at 5:00 p.m. with the funeral service tomorrow (4/13) at 1:00 p.m.
Online condolences can be posted on the funeral home web site, where you can also read Gerald’s obituary notice. Friends and fans are also welcome to leave their thoughts and comments here on Bluegrass Today.
We have reported previously about Gerald Evans, the popular Kentucky bluegrass musician, singer and songwriter, and his battle with cancer. He had been diagnosed in the summer of 2009 with an aggressive, stage 4 cancer that was already widespread throughout his body.
Gerald lost his struggle this past Saturday (April 10) when he passed away early that morning at 50 years of age. He had been perhaps most visible nationally and internationally as a member of The Traditional Grass during the 1990s, but was well-known and loved in his native Kentucky and among the many bluegrass musicians and fans in the Bluegrass State.
Two of his bandmates from the Traditional Grass have sent remembrances of their dear friend. First up is Mark Rader, who played guitar and shared singing duties with Gerald.
“Gerald was a rough and tumble kind of guy with a heart of gold. He loved to play music more than anyone I have ever met, and he was darn good at it too! What a touch on that fiddle! And songwriting was something he did constantly.
He never met a stranger, and due to that and his love of jamming, he made many friends all across the country. When he joined The Traditional Grass in 1990, our group had been in existence for nearly seven years. Paul Mullins told him ‘You’ll have to make yourself a place here to where you’d be missed if you weren’t there.’
Little did we know that Gerald did this in anything he became involved with. He’ll be missed by all who knew and loved him.”
Joe Mullins has called Gerald a friend since they first started to play music together.
“I had the blessing of Gerald’s friendship for 25 years. We first met in the 1980’s when he was fiddling for Dave Evans. His time with the Goins Brothers in the late 80’s though was certainly memorable for me and thousands of fans. Gerald had been working eastern Kentucky and southern Ohio with Rick May and Bill Hamm. When all three joined Melvin and Ray as the Shed House Trio, they really lit a fire under two bluegrass pioneers and created a fantastic show! The Traditional Grass and the Goins Brothers worked dozens of the same festivals back then and Gerald, Rick and Bill became like brothers to me. We would jam all night!
The Trio got to record a gospel project for Vetco records in Cincinnati. One of the guys called me one afternoon and said ‘We are going to record and would like you to play banjo if you are available.’ I said ‘Absolutely – when is the session’ – they said ‘Tomorrow!’ So, I invited them to drive up to Ohio that evening so we could rehearse. My Dad cooked a kettle of beans and put them up that night and the session came off the next day with no problems at all. Oh the wonderful memories of being young and spontaneous!
Within the next year, the Traditional Grass began touring full-time and needed to expand our show. Me (banjo and vocals), Mark Rader (guitar and vocals), my Dad Paul Mullins (fiddle and vocals) and Glen Inman (bass) had been together several years as a four piece band. We needed a lot to take our music to the next level – mandolin, more vocal variety and original songs. Gerald Evans Jr, was all of the above. A good mandolin player, a great fiddler and showman, could sing ANY part and he was fast becoming one of the most thoughtful songwriters I have known.
Gerald had written some wonderful gospel songs in the 1980’s. He spent a little time in Nashville with Wayne Lewis and worked on Bill Monroe’s farm for a while. Monroe’s Grammy-winning album Southern Flavor included Gerald’s song Give Me Wings. He was really thankful for his time and friendship with Bill.
Gerald joined the Traditional Grass in September 1990. He was an immediate inspiration to our music, stage show and audience. He inspired me and Mark Rader to get much more creative vocally and to become songwriters ourselves. Over the next five years, we recorded four Traditional Grass CD’s for Rebel, each one featuring some of Gerald’s original songs, strong vocal, mandolin and fiddle work. Gerald and I also did an all instrumental CD of just old-time fiddle and banjo tunes.
He continued to create and perform great, original music through last year. He worked with the Wildwood Valley Boys, his own band Paradise and Don Rigsby and Midnight Call. I was so glad to record two of his songs on my latest CD with my band the Radio Ramblers.
One of my most memorable moments on the road with Gerald was in the summer of 1991. We were working the Smithsonian Folk Festival for a week in downtown Washington DC. One afternoon we were free to walk around town and site-see. As with any big city, you encounter a few unfortunate folks who are asking for a hand out. Gerald and I passed a homeless guy by an alley asking for money. Gerald said something to the guy as we passed. The next street had a vendor wagon selling food. Gerald bought a big burrito with the works and carried it back to the homeless guy. I have never forgotten that moment and I will never forget my friend Gerald.”
Funeral arrangements are being handled through Waddell & Whitt in Sandy Hook, KY. Visitation is scheduled for this afternoon (Monday April 12) at 5:00 p.m. with the funeral service tomorrow (4/13) at 1:00 p.m.
Online condolences can be posted on the funeral home web site, where you can also read Gerald’s obituary notice. Friends and fans are also welcome to leave their thoughts and comments here on Bluegrass Today.
