Missouri Bluegrass Preservation Association Archives

2019 Pioneers of Missouri Bluegrass: Frank Ray, Alma Curtner (for Herman Beck),
Andy Bressler, Alvin Bressler, Ken Seaman, Cecil Tinnon (for Paul Tinnon)

On Friday, January 4, six first generation Missouri musicians were awarded plaques proclaiming them as Pioneers of Missouri Bluegrass Music. The event took place at the 37th Annual MABC Winter Bluegrass Festival in Eureka, MO, out on every year by the Missouri Area Bluegrass Committee. MABC is the nation’s oldest bluegrass music association still in existence.

The recipients of the prestigious award were Andy & Alvin Bressler, Ken Seaman, Frank Ray, Herman Beck, and Paul Tinnon.

Ken Seaman is widely known for his Colorado bluegrass band, The Bluegrass Patriots, but was raised in Shannon County, MO. His father, Carl, created the Current River Opry in 1966, which hosted an array of local talent and brought acts such as Jimmy Martin, Flatt & Scruggs, Benny Martin, and The Country Gentlemen’s first show west of the Mississippi. Kenny was among the first Scruggs style banjo players in the Ozarks, following closely behind Doug Dillard. Ken started his first bluegrass festival on the banks of the Current River after a visit to Bean Blossom in 1969. No matter where he went, Ken still called the Ozarks home. Since the retirement of The Bluegrass Patriots, Ken concentrates on his annual Mid-Winter Bluegrass Festival in Denver.

The Bressler Brothers, Andy and Alvin, joined The Current River Opry in 1966, hailing from Shannon County, MO as well. A saying has developed over the years, “There’s something in the water of Shannon County that breeds musicians.” Eldest Brother Andy plays guitar in the thumb pick style and sings lead, while Alvin plays upright bass and sing a true crisp and clean tenor line. They have been featured on many albums through the years, and gained a gracious amount of fame from The Cumberland Highlander Show tapings from Bill Monroe’s Homeplace in Rosine, KY. With over 60 years of Missouri bluegrass music under their belts, The Bressler Brothers were a shoo-in for this award.

Frank Ray has carried on Cedar Hill, based out of Hillsboro, MO for over 50 years. Another hailing from the Ozarks, he is known for carrying his home in his shirt pocket, right next to his heart. Starting as The Ramblin’ Bluegrass Boys in the 1960’s, Frank Ray and Uncle Rich Orchard brought one of the liveliest bluegrass shows to the stage in the Midwest. Twins fiddles were a staple. Recording for numerous labels over the years, the band Cedar Hill slowly formed into what is today, with Frank Ray remaining as the constant. His style is pure Ozark mandolin, and his high tenor voice will shake the hair out of your ears. He is still actively touring with Cedar Hill and has most recently been informed of his SPBGMA Hall Of Greats honor to be awarded at this year’s convention in Nashville, TN.

Cecil Tinnon accepted the Pioneer Award for his father, Paul Tinnon, who had passed many years ago. Paul Tinnon was a fiddle player with influence from Thayne Bradford all the way to Alison Krauss. His son spoke of his encouraging ways to younger musicians through out his entire life. One of Paul’s longest fiddle tenures was with Don Brown and The Ozark Mountain Trio. His smiling face and fiddle music has left a lasting expression on countless Missouri musicians.

Herman Beck was posthumously award as well, with his widow, Alma Curtner accepting on his behalf. Herman was a vital part of the most popular version on Don Brown & The Ozark Mountain Trio. From 1967-1974, The Ozark Mountain Trio worked the Midwestern festival circuit. During this time, the band recorded some of the most memorable music Don Brown was ever a part of, with Herman Beck on the banjo for these recordings. Not only did he bring a unique banjo style to the band, his high tenor vocals were unmistakable. The Ozark Mountain Trio sound was completed with Herman Beck. Four harmonies with one below the lead and two above created this signature sound, and Herman was on the very top!

A reunion of Jim Orchard, Ken Seaman, and The Bressler Brothers marked a special moment, as well. The men gathered after more than 25 years to play songs from their ultra rare 33rpm Longing For The Ozarks, cut in 1976 on Rimrock Records. Andy joked quite a bit saying, “here’s a song from our latest record.” Joining then on mandolins were Roy Lee Bond and C.J. Lewandowski. The night also included The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys closing out the show.

Many years, many smiles, and many memories shared in Eureka, MO as The Missouri Area Bluegrass Committee, The Missouri Bluegrass Preservation Association and Missouri bluegrass fans honored some of their heroes and pioneers.

To some, when they think of bluegrass music in Missouri, they think of The Dillard’s. Doug, Rodney, Dean Webb, and Mitch Jayne made quite an impact with their darling spot as the Darling family on The Andy Griffith Show. From Salem, Missouri, these boys took their Ozark bluegrass all over the world. With that being said, there is more to the Show-Me State Bluegrass world these fellers.

The history of Missouri Bluegrass Music is similar to that in other regions, with the basis being radios tuned to WSM in 1946, but unique in it’s own way as well. The Ozark fiddle style, Monroe flavored mandolin, raised head banjo sound, and rhythm guitar with heavy runs made up the first generation of Missouri bluegrass’ sound. Distinct harmony can be heard on these early recordings that uncommon to any other region. Home to one of the first bluegrass festivals west of the Mississippi (Bluegrass Pickin’ Time – Dixon MO 1967), the oldest Bluegrass association (Missouri Area Bluegrass Committee), and SPBGMA Missouri is an important state to the development and history

With the first generation of bluegrassers leaving us, a group of Show-Me-State natives have teamed up to form the Missouri Bluegrass Preservation Association. The non-profit organization has teamed up with The State Historical Society of Missouri to retain important information unique to the state’s music. MBPA is gathering up recordings, pictures, film, instruments, stories, etc to preserve for future generations with plans to open a museum in the near future. The museum will display several artifacts already collecting by the team, along with future donations and purchases.

The first objective for this group is the presentation of the Pioneer of Missouri Bluegrass Award. This award will recognize first generation bluegrass artists from the state that were influential in creating the unique style that is specific to Missouri. Several of these pioneers are still living, and it’s only right to “give them their flowers while they live,” so to speak. Honoring someone’s lifetime of music is an important chapter in the history of bluegrass, and Missouri Bluegrass Preservation Association has an avid desire to honor their pioneers and heroes. They will start presenting Pioneer Awards to those gone on once all the living legends have been honored. The Pioneer of Missouri Bluegrass is just a small token of gratitude for these important figures’ dedication and hard work for the music we love so much.

There have been many important artifacts disposed of in the past few years, which is a shame. Folks with anything pertaining to Missouri bluegrass music are encouraged to share the history they possess with the Missouri Bluegrass Preservation Association. Three collections have already been gathered and donated since the formation of the group in October ranging from records, to vintage instrument straps, to stage clothing and pictures. Any donations are welcome. Donated materials, specifically flats, will be archived through The State Historical Society of Missouri via their Rolla office, then properly stored until a museum is set in place. Partnerships with The Missouri Arts Council and Missouri Pure Music and Bluegrass Hall of Fame are being discussed right now.

This is a great new association with goals to preserve and honor a style of bluegrass unique to Missouri. If you have a piece of history you would like to have preserved for future generations, would like to make a donation (physical or monetary), have some artifacts to sell, or have any questions, contact mobluegrasspreservation@gmail.com. A Facebook page has been set up, so folks can view some of the memorabilia that has been donated. A website is in the process of being set up, so MBPA can be more accessible to the public in the near future.

The history of bluegrass music is important anywhere in the world, and the Missouri Bluegrass Preservation Association is working hard to keep the roots of Show-Me-State bluegrass alive for the future.

Here is a sampling of some of the items donated to date.