Though he hadn’t worked at the station for nearly a decade, Jerry was still much-beloved by colleagues and listeners alike for his warm delivery, sense of humor, and knowledge and taste in his musical selections.

Jerry left an indelible mark on WAMU’s listening audience as the host of The Jerry Gray Show, mixing traditional bluegrass with contemporary bands during weekday afternoon drive time for many years. He also hosted a popular weekend show that featured traditional country, cowboy tunes, and western swing.

Jerry had a heart attack on the air around 1990. He took a hiatus as he recovered from that medical episode and a subsequent heart transplant, but he eventually returned to the station’s lineup where he remained until 2002.

Jerry Gray was 78.

*American Routes – Sat. 4 a.m. & 8 p.m.
Downhome in the Big City: Andy Statman & Norah Jones
We’ll spend time with two eclectic NYC-based musicians who mix up country with jazz and other traditions. Multi-instrumentalist Andy Statman comes from a family steeped in Jewish musical traditions, but got the bluegrass bug playing with David Grisman and Tony Trischka. We’ll talk about his explorations of bluegrass, klezmer, free jazz and now duets with tea kettles. Then singer and pianist Norah Jones, known for her own personal stamp on jazz, shares the country side of life in her recent work with The Little Willies. Plus lots of “citified” country songs and downhome urban tunes.

Bluegrass Breakdown – Sun. 2 a.m., Mon. 10 p.m., Wed. 5 a.m.
“June—September, 1971″
We’ll be headin’ back to the bluegrassically riveting summer of 1971 when, among other things: Alison Maria Krauss is born in Decatur, Illinois on July 23rd; Bill Monroe & Lester Flatt end their long feud and reunite on stage at Beanblossom; Earl Snead opens the Bluegrass Inn in Nashville; and J.D. Crowe, Kenny Baker, Cliff Waldron, the Country Gentlemen and Ralph Stanley churn out some superlative ‘grass.

Bluegrass Gospel USA! – Tues. 8 p.m.
Featuring host Bill Miller.

Bluegrass Master Class – Sun. 3 p.m. & Fri. 4 a.m.
Banks of the Ohio #123
We visit 1958 this week in the third half hour, including Jimmy Martin live, four great Starday cuts, and Wayne Raney’s WCKY broadcast of the first bluegrass record from Japan (the East Mountain Boys). There are three Vassar Clements cuts and the first all-female bluegrass band (the Buffalo Gals). Don’t miss the last half hour… unless you’re a staunch traditionalist and subject to apoplectic fits. A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, hosted by Fred Bartenstein.

Bluegrass Review – Sun. 11 p.m., Mon. 9 p.m., Wed. 4 a.m.
#1206
Contact host Phil Nusbaum at pnusbaum@bitstream.net or join the conversation at Facebook. The playlist is located at www.bluegrassreview.com.

Bluegrass Signal – Sun. 10 p.m., Mon. 11 p.m., Wed. 6 a.m.
#413 (Music From Virginia)
Music from a 50-song, 2-CD set that features mostly previously-released selections from performers based along “The Crooked Road” in Virginia, a region that’s home to some of the country’s most powerful music. Included in the show are both relatively well-known bluegrass bands (Dr. Ralph & the Clinch Mountain Boys, Blue Highway, Lonesome River Band, Junior Sisk & Rambler’s Choice) and notable old time musicians (Wayne Henderson, Elizabeth LaPrelle, New Ballard’s Branch Bogtrotters, Mac & Jenny Trayham).

The Bob Webster Show – Wed. 12-3 p.m.
Featuring host Bob Webster.
Tune in on February 8th beginning at 1:00 ET for remarks and songs from Jim VanCleve and the band Mountain Heart. Learn what’s new with the band and their upcoming shows.

*Capital Americana – Wed. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m.
Featuring host Jen Hitt.

The Chris Teskey Show – Thurs. 12-3 p.m. LIVE

*The Dick Spottswood Show – Sun. 12 a.m. & 1 p.m., Thurs. 5 a.m.
#373
Great bluegrass from the Stanley Brothers, Bill (and Charlie!) Monroe, Allen Shelton and the Country Gentlemen, sad songs about the 1946-8 housing shortage, a suite of Cajun classics and a medley of 1930s fiddle jazz. Obsolete Music is full of surprises.

Editor’s Picks – Sat. 3 a.m., Sun. 6 p.m., Thurs. 4 a.m., Fri. 8 p.m.
Crowe Brothers / Gibson Brothers
The Louvin Brothers, The Monroe Brothers, The Stanley Brothers, and Jim and Jesse McReynolds are just some of the acts in early country and bluegrass music that helped established the tradition of the brother duet. This week we’re highlighting two groups that are continuing this proud musical tradition– The Gibson Brothers and The Crowe Brothers, both of whom were recorded live at the 2011 International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

Foster’s Corner – Mon. 6-9 p.m.
Featuring host Bill Foster.

*etown – Sat. 7 p.m.
Lyle Lovett / Taj Mahal – Green Rocks Part 2
It’s Part Two of eTown’s special ‘Green Rocks at Red Rocks’ show. Join hosts Nick & Helen Forster for more great music and conversation, recorded live at the exquisite outdoor Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This year’s eTown’s ‘Green Rocks’ continues the recycling, zero waste zones, renewable energy use, biodiesel bus transportation, carpool incentives, and more that eTown introduced to the venue a few years back, practices that have become standard procedures there these days. Part Two brings more music from Lyle Lovett and Taj Mahal, plus an in-depth interview with Bill Ritter, looking back on his tenure as governor of Colorado and his focus on ‘green’ energy efforts.

The Free for All – Thurs. 6-9 p.m., Fri. 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

The Gary Henderson Show – Sat. 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Mon. 12-3 p.m. LIVE

The Katy Daley Show – Mon.- Fri. LIVE, 7-10 a.m.

The Lee Michael Demsey Show – Sat. 11a.m.-2p.m., Mon.- Fri. LIVE, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard – Mon. 4 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.

*Mountain Stage – Sat. 10 p.m.
Featuring Ra Ra Riot, Elizabeth & the Catapult, Susan Werner, JJ Grey (solo), Khaira Arby. View playlist.

Music from Foggy Hollow – Sat. 12 a.m., Sun. 7 p.m., Tues. 4 a.m., Thurs. 9 p.m.
#201204

The Old Home Place – Tues. 6-9 p.m. LIVE
Featuring host Lisa Kay Howard.

Old Time Jam – Fri. 12-3 p.m. LIVE
Featuring host Rosemarie Nielsen.

Open Mic – Sat. 6 a.m., Fri. 6 p.m.
Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 Countdown for February 2012

Overnight – Mon.-Fri., 12-4 a.m.
Each weeknight we air condensed encore presentations of some of your favorite live Bluegrass Country shows.

The Ray Davis Show – Mon.- Fri. 3-6p.m. LIVE, Sun. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Stained Glass Bluegrass – Sun. 6-10 a.m. LIVE
Featuring host Bob Webster.

*Thistle and Shamrock – Sat. 6 p.m.
From Vinyl to MP3
Storage media have evolved and music collections have migrated from dusty shelves to gigabytes but a classic performance remains a classic regardless of how it is captured for posterity. Enjoy an hour of masterpieces from across a quarter century.

The Tom “Cat” Reeder Show – Tues. 12-3 p.m. LIVE

*Traditions – Sat. 3-6 p.m. LIVE
Featuring hosted Mary Cliff

• On Open Mic, we join host Lee Michael Demsey for the Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 Countdown of February 2012!

• On Editor’s Picks, we’re featuring two groups that keeping the “brother duet” tradition alive and well: The Gibson Brothers and The Crowe Brothers, both of whom were recorded live at the 2011 International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

• On Bluegrass Signal, we feature music from a 50-song, 2-CD set that features mostly previously-released selections from performers based along “The Crooked Road” in Virginia, a region that’s home to some of the country’s most powerful music.

• Also, be sure to check out videos of recent live performances from our Washington, DC studios.

Read about all this and more in the February 4-10 Highlights.

The two Washington bluegrass legends will officially accept the honor at the 3rd annual DC Bluegrass Bluegrass Festival (Feb 24-25) in College Park, MD.

Congratulations Eddie and Tom!

Randy joins Katy to announce the 2012 recipients of the Washington Monument Award. The awards will be presented in a ceremony during the 3rd Annual DC Bluegrass Festival (Feb 24-25 in College Park, MD).

This event takes place on February 11 at 8 pm in Manassas, VA.

Click Here To Enter!

Rules: To enter to you must submit your full name, telephone number, AND email address. Only one entry per person is permitted. Giveaway ends February 03 at exactly 11:59 pm ET. Winners will be notified by WAMU by email when the winners are drawn. The winning entry is subject to verification of eligibility to win. Good Luck! All participants who submit their information during the specified time will automatically be entered in the contest. Employees of American University and their families are ineligible to win. Winners must be 18 years of age or older and proof of identification is necessary to claim the prize. Cash may not be substituted for the prize. If for any reason the prize can not be awarded to the first participant whose name is drawn, a second name will be drawn, and so forth until the tickets are awarded. The decision of WAMU management on the drawing of this prize is final and binding. WAMU is solely responsible for contacting winners. If participants do not wish to hear from WAMU, do not register. WAMU will not retain the participants’ information for future solicitations.

The Boxcars, Sierra Hull and Highway 111 will be headlining the event. Also appearing: US Navy Band Country Current, Eddie & Martha Adcock w/Tom Gray, Mama Tried, Mitch Harrell and the Virginians, Big Chimney

The festival is Friday, Feb. 24 to Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012 at The Holiday Inn, College Park.
10000 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD 20740

This event takes place on February 11, 2012 at 8 pm in Fairfax, Virginia.

Click Here To Enter!

Rules: To enter to you must submit your full name, telephone number, AND email address. Only one entry per person is permitted. Giveaway ends January 31 at exactly 11:59 pm ET. Winners will be notified by WAMU by email when the winners are drawn. The winning entry is subject to verification of eligibility to win. Good Luck! All participants who submit their information during the specified time will automatically be entered in the contest. Employees of American University and their families are ineligible to win. Winners must be 18 years of age or older and proof of identification is necessary to claim the prize. Cash may not be substituted for the prize. If for any reason the prize can not be awarded to the first participant whose name is drawn, a second name will be drawn, and so forth until the tickets are awarded. The decision of WAMU management on the drawing of this prize is final and binding. WAMU is solely responsible for contacting winners. If participants do not wish to hear from WAMU, do not register. WAMU will not retain the participants’ information for future solicitations.

*American Routes – Sat. 4 a.m. & 8 p.m.
The Indie Gramophone
Whether you’re spinning 45s, 78s, or LPs, you’ll discover gold in the vinyl this week on American Routes. We check in with the record label dedicated to resurrecting lost sounds for the digital age, Dust to Digital. For some soul sides, we hear from Gabriel Roth, founder of Daptone Records, who’s re-imaging classic soul with the band Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. We’ll also talk to the man who got the Bossa Nova on record and started the Impulse label, jazz producer Creed Taylor. Then it’s off to Ville Platte for a conversation with Cajun recordman Floyd Soileau of Swallow Records. Plus tunes to get the jukebox shaking!

Bluegrass Breakdown – Sun. 2 a.m., Mon. 10 p.m., Wed. 5 a.m.
Chris Stuart & Backcountry Live
They sing some of the most compelling originals to ever come down the old crooked road. Guitarist Eric Uglum, banjoist Janet Beazley, fiddler Christian Ward, bassist Austin Ward and guitarist (and renown songwriter) Chris Stuart—Chris Stuart and Backcountry– will be roaring in from the west with more of their “Neo Proto Folki Blue Gramericana for the discriminating masses” the middle chunk of our outing. We’ll also have new music from the bins from the likes of Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice, The Bluegrass Regulators, Darin & Brooke Aldridge and Blue Highway.

Bluegrass Gospel USA! – Tues. 8 p.m.
Featuring host Bill Miller.

Bluegrass Master Class – Sun. 3 p.m. & Fri. 4 a.m.
Banks of the Ohio #122
A listener’s recollections of pioneer disc jockey Eddie Matherly prompt a review of Washington, D.C. area contributions to bluegrass history on this week’s Banks of the Ohio. The “Starving Out” segment presents 10 cuts from 1957, culminating with the Osborne Brothers & Red Allen’s first high-lead trio and chart hit, “Once More.” “Modern Branches” explores boundary stretching music from young bluegrass Turks in the U.S. And Europe. A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum.

Bluegrass Review – Sun. 11 p.m., Mon. 9 p.m., Wed. 4 a.m.
#1205
The show starts out with some recent songs about farmers. On the Gem of Bluegrass, we survey bluegrass songs where instruments imitate a usually non-musical sound. Today we present our fourth in a series of “Out in the Country” visits with important bluegrass people who think globally and act locally on behalf of bluegrass. We meet Bill C. Malone of Madison, WI., teacher, author and musician. We talk about his life and about country music during his life. Contact host Phil Nusbaum at pnusbaum@bitstream.net or join the conversation at Facebook. The playlist is located at www.bluegrassreview.com.

Bluegrass Signal – Sun. 10 p.m., Mon. 11 p.m., Wed. 6 a.m.
#412 (California Home Songs)
Originally broadcast on a holiday weekend, a collection of songs about longing for, going to, remembering, or being at home — all performed by California musicians.

The Bob Webster Show – Wed. 12-3 p.m.
Featuring host Bob Webster.

*Capital Americana – Wed. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 p.m.
Featuring host Jen Hitt.

The Chris Teskey Show – Thurs. 12-3 p.m. LIVE

*The Dick Spottswood Show – Sun. 12 a.m. & 1 p.m., Thurs. 5 a.m.
#372 (Groundhog Day)
Outside of a music salute to Ground Hog Day, here are few threads to follow on this week’s Obsolete offering. Featured acts include the Carter Family, Blue Sky Boys, Barbecue Bob, Hanks Williams and Snow, Elvis Presley, Tampa Red, Vern and Ray, Molly O’Day and, of course, the Leap Frogs. Not a bad show, actually!

Editor’s Picks – Sat. 3 a.m., Sun. 6 p.m., Thurs. 4 a.m., Fri. 8 p.m.
Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie / Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
This week we’re featuring new projects from two Washingtonians who are also alumni of the US Navy’s bluegrass band Country Current— Bill Emerson and Wayne Taylor.

Foster’s Corner – Mon. 6-9 p.m.
Featuring host Bill Foster.

*etown – Sat. 7 p.m.
Lyle Lovett / Taj Mahal – Green Rocks Part I
Brought back by popular demand: eTown returns to the stunningly beautiful Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado for eTown’s “Green Rocks at Red Rocks,” originally taped and aired in 2010. Our “Green Rocks” event continues the recycling, zero waste zones, renewable energy use, and biodiesel bus transportation we originated at this magnificent venue a few years back, practices that have now become standard procedure for Red Rocks. Hosts Nick & Helen Forster present this special two-part broadcast filled with exciting live performances and intimate, ‘behind-the-scenes’ interviews. Our special featured musical guests are Lyle Lovett and Taj Mahal.

The Free for All – Thurs. 6-9 p.m., Fri. 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

The Gary Henderson Show – Sat. 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Mon. 12-3 p.m. LIVE

The Katy Daley Show – Mon.- Fri. LIVE, 7-10 a.m.

The Lee Michael Demsey Show – Sat. 11a.m.-2p.m., Mon.- Fri. LIVE, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
This Saturday, Lee Michael Demsey devotes his singer/songwriter hour (1 pm ET) to the music of Kate Wolf. Kate’s lovely, quietly soulful folk music inspired many musicians and listeners alike, in the 1970′s and 80′s, before her untimely death in 1986, at the age of 44. There was a touch of Bluegrass in some of the tunes, with the support of folks like Tony Rice and the Cache Valley Drifters. Lee will play tunes written by Kate Wolf, some performed by her, and some by other top flight performers, like Emmylou Harris, Peter Rowan, Nanci Griffith, John Gorka and Utah Phillips.

Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard – Mon. 4 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.
Best of 2011, Earl Scruggs 88th Birthday

*Mountain Stage – Sat. 10 p.m.
Featuring The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Dale Jett & Hello Stranger w/ Special Guest John Carter Cash & Laura Cash, Dale Ann Bradley, Steve Gulley & Kim Fox, Jill Andrews. View playlist.

Music from Foggy Hollow – Sat. 12 a.m., Sun. 7 p.m., Tues. 4 a.m., Thurs. 9 p.m.
#201150 (rebroadcast)
Mike Kear is sick this week, so we’re airing an encore presentation of a show from last year.During this week’s show, Mike is featuring “Skippin’ & Flyin’”, the new CD from laurie Lewis. Mike’s playing some of the music and talking about Laurie’s background. Also on the show, brand new Christmas songs from Southern Rail, Chris Jones, Heather Berry and Donna Ulisse, music from the amazing Frank Wakefield, Della Mae, Leon Morris, Ethan Hughes and Clay Hess. He’ll open the vaults and look back 5 years to remember what was on the show back then, and Angelika Torrie, our European Correspondent will join Mike for a chat about what’s going on in Europe in the world of bluegrass. The show’s only for fun, so don’t miss it!

The Old Home Place – Tues. 6-9 p.m. LIVE
Featuring host Lisa Kay Howard.

Old Time Jam – Fri. 12-3 p.m. LIVE
Featuring host Rosemarie Nielsen.

Open Mic – Sat. 6 a.m., Fri. 6 p.m.
Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 Countdown for February 2012

Overnight – Mon.-Fri., 12-4 a.m.
Each weeknight we air condensed encore presentations of some of your favorite live Bluegrass Country shows.

The Ray Davis Show – Mon.- Fri. 3-6p.m. LIVE, Sun. 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Stained Glass Bluegrass – Sun. 6-10 a.m. LIVE
Featuring host Bob Webster
The band Mountain Faith will be featured on Stained Glass Bluegrass with a two-part interview conducted at IBMA in Nashville last fall. Part two will air on February 5th. Get the stories behind the songs on their CD “Save Me” from this North Carolina family.

*Thistle and Shamrock – Sat. 6 p.m.
Songs of Robert Burns
Hear a variety of artists in the intoxicating embrace of the Scottish bard’s songs, including Rod Paterson and Eddi Reader.

The Tom “Cat” Reeder Show – Tues. 12-3 p.m. LIVE

*Traditions – Sat. 3-6 p.m. LIVE
Featuring hosted Mary Cliff

• On Open Mic, we join host Lee Michael Demsey for the Bluegrass Unlimited Top 30 Countdown of February 2012!

• On Editor’s Picks, we’re featuring new projects from two Washingtonians who are also alumni of the US Navy’s bluegrass band Country Current: Bill Emerson & Sweet Dixie and Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa.

• On Bluegrass Breakdown, host Dave Higgs is highlighting a live performance from Chris Stuart and Backcountry.

• On Stained Glass Bluegrass, host Bob Webster is checking in with the band Mountain Faith. Bob will air the first of a two-part interview conducted at IBMA in Nashville last fall.

• Also, be sure to check out videos of recent live performances from our Washington, DC studios.

Read about all this and more in the January 28-February 4 Highlights.