*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series
*American Routes – Roadside Attractions
It’s summertime and the living’s easy. Jump in as we hit the road in search of new faces and places. Head north out of New Orleans, across Lake Pontchartrain, to the Abita Mystery House at UCM Museum in Abita Springs. And much further north, to the Musical Wonder House in Wiscasset, Maine. Plus, a refreshing visit to a local New Orleans favorite, Hansen’s Sno-Bliz, servin’ up the best sno-cones you’ve ever tasted.
Banks of the Ohio
Hear seven great train numbers, from “Fiddlin’” Arthur Smith’s 1935 “Lost Train Blues” to the Spinney Brothers’ 2008 “Next Train Smokin’.” The fifth half-hour features music from 2002, including recordings celebrating the Lewis Family’s 50th and the Country Gentlemen’s 45th anniversaries, plus first releases from the Grascals and Kenny & Amanda Smith. Don’t miss two rare live cuts from the bar scene — Roy Lee Centers from 1969 in Cincinnati and Lynn Morris from 1978 in Denver. A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, hosted by Fred Bartenstein.
Bluegrass Breakdown – J.D. Crowe & The New South Live
We’ll be spending some quality live time with a true bluegrass legend—a pioneer, stylist and icon—who has inspired countless banjo players and set a whole new standard on what bluegrass can be. J.D. Crowe and the New South—Ricky Wasson on guitar; Dwight McCall on mandolin; Harold Nixon on the bass; Ron Stewart on the fiddle and J.D., with his atomic-clock like right hand, on the banjo —will be picking live in commemoration of their new one, “Lefty’s Old Guitar.”
Bluegrass Review
Cabin, house, mansion: These are very strong terms in bluegrass because they symbolize completely different types of experiences. Lyle Lofgren is the guess who uncovers these secrets. Later on the show, Adam Granger plays songs about the animals we hold dearest: dogs.
Bluegrass Signal
This week’s Bluegrass Signal was originally broadcast on a Hot Night In August, and is a collection of summer songs from a variety of sources, ranging from the Carter Family to J.D. Crowe, Ralph Stanley and Vern Williams to Valerie Smith and Biscuit Burners, Doc Watson and Norman Blake to IIIrd Tyme Out and Lonesome River Band, High Country to Robin & Linda Williams. And more.
*The Dick Spottswood Show
A few mid-summer train song treasures, some hard times, and varied melodies applicable to “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down” and “Man of Consrtant Sorrow.” Charlie Poole, both Monroes, Merle Travis, Jimmy Murphy, Molly O’Day and a host of other dated celebrities make brief appearances. Obsolete Music is an acquired taste, and it’s a taste worth acquiring.
*etown
etown delights in the return of singer-songwriter John Gorka, dubbed the “the voice of ‘new folk’” by Rolling Stone. Joining him is Chris Hillman, founding member of The Byrds. Hillman contributes some new and classic tunes to the mix. Add to this another moving e-chievement award story of a Colorado woman who’s out there making a big difference in the lives of injured and orphaned wildlife, and you have an hour of etown radio.
LIVE Friday Night Free for All 8 p.m. – 12 a.m. ET
The Old Home Place with Lisa Kay Howard Sunday 3 a.m. (8/10)
Foster’s Corner Tuesday 12 p.m., Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (8/17)
The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m. LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.
LIVE The Katy Daley Show Mon-Fri, 7-10 a.m.
LIVE The Lee Michael Demsey Show Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.
*Mountain Stage
Featuring Suzy Bogguss, Sylvie Lewis, Anais Mitchell, Eleni Mandell, and Lucky Tomblin Band. Playlist .
Music from Foggy Hollow
A slight change of format this week. The theme is “the Whippersnappers”, and Mike Kear turns his attention to the wealth of young talent emerging in bluegrass. Mike plays music from the Under 25’s like Sierra Hull, Cory and Jarrod Walker, Ryan Holladay, Kate Lee, Evan Ward and plenty more. As you’ll hear from the show, the future of bluegrass looks pretty bright with the whippersnappers coming along. It’s another terrific show, so don’t miss it!
Musician Tip – Fiddle player, Jeremy Garrett
Open Mic
This week we Open the Mic for two bands who recently visited our Washington D.C. studios. We’ll hear from the members of Cadillac Sky, they sat down with Host Jen Hitt to provide some insight into their music and their sense of humor. Also, the family band Cherryholmes stopped by to speak with Lee Michael Demsey and pick some great bluegrass.
Old Time Jam
Hubie’s selections this week include some unusual songs, as well as some more rousing dance tunes and a romantic song of yesteryear, still being enjoyed today. My Texas Girl is the love song, while We’ll Die in the Pig Pen Fighting is a barnyard rebellion in which pigs decide they’re not going down without a struggle. Then, Twenty Cent Cotton; Ninety Cent Meat is a consumer complaint, marked up from the original Eleven Cents and Forty Cents, respectively. Boston Boy, is one of the tunes Bill Monroe’s Uncle Pen played, and Whiskey before Breakfast does not signify a drunken spree. Add to these a corny joke title, a tragic shipwreck name, a cowboy bank robber, a tune named Turkey Buzzard and another called Wait till You Hear This One, Boy, by a band called The Bing Bang Boys, and you’ve got an action-packed hour.
Special Programming
This week’s special program is another episode of Sound Sessions: Black Banjo 1 from Smithsonian Folkways. Host Sam Litzinger and Scott O’dell bring us a two part series on the sounds and social history of African American banjo playing from Virginia and North Carolina.
LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
Broadcaster, fiddle player, and founder of bands, Paul “Moon” Mullins passed away on August 3rd. We’ll recognize many of Paul’s contributions to bluegrass gospel music following the old hymns portion of this week’s edition of Stained Glass Bluegrass.
*Thistle and Shamrock Saturday 7 p.m. ET
LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
