Gerry Lee

16/08/2024

To all the friends of Spike, after wasting for a while he was quietly assisted into that long, dark night at 11.30am. He was 18 years old.

16/08/2024

16/08/2024

Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia once said that the goal was not to be the best at what you do, but the only one who does what you do. In a way, that applies to Rhiannon Giddens’ high-profile career — except what she does is pretty much everything. It can be more than a little […]

15/08/2024

15/08/2024

Unfortunately, BITSA is cancelled today, Spike’s not well.

15/08/2024

Tomorrow on BITSA we're going to hear one of the most influential western albums ever made - Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs with Marty Robbins. Marty had a few hits in the 0s, which were generally considered part of the new rock'n'roll movement. Shortly after, he released El Paso, which won a grammy for best Country and Western recording. Frome then, he dived deeply into the western genre, and never returned. This bright pink album (why?) was in nearly every living room fortunate enough to have a phonogram. Also tomorrow, we'll hear Watling & Bates' Closer, which we couldn't play last week due to technical problems (I stuffed up). Back in the Saddle Again, River FM, 92.9, streaming, 16.8.24, 10 - noon.

08/08/2024

Closer is a ballad, a love song for a love that stands the test of time. Closer was written by Geoffrey Bates and Kym Watling, with both singing their respec...

08/08/2024

Tomorrow on BITSA we will feature Emmylou Harris' 19th studio album, one which imho is second only to Wrecking Ball, and which shows strong production influences of the Ball. The big difference is that the songs were largely written or co-written by EH. Also Watling & Bates' new banger, Closer. Plus some leftovers from last week, and other bon-bons. Back in the Saddle Again, River FM, 92.9, streaming, 10-noon 9.8.24.

01/08/2024

In 1970, Rounder records was founded, withy the aim of producing American roots music. Because many of the tunes played on BITSA have been recorded on Rounder, tomorrow we will hear a compilation record, Hand-Picked: 25 Years of bluegrass, which was released in 1995. Legends and obscurities, but all class music. Back In the Saddle Again, River FM, 92.9, streaming, 10-midday, 2.8.24.

25/07/2024

Tomorrow on BITSA we'll listen to the Lauren Canyon Ramblers, a group fronted by Herb Pedersen, one of the most versatile and in-demand bluegrass/folk performers going. It's a Sugar Hill release, so the quality is guaranteed. Plus other bits and pieces. Back In the Saddle Again, River FM, 92.9, 10-noon, 26.7.24.

18/07/2024

Tomorrow on BITSA, we will hear the fourth in the series of americana programmes. This time it will be a compilation, This Is Americana, which is a random selection of tracks that fit into the pretty loose genre. But good tracks, most of which I haven't played yet. Back in the Saddle Again, River FM, 92.9, streamingFri 19.7.24, 10am til noon.

11/07/2024

Tomorrow on BITSA we are going right back the the roots of country music with the Carter Family, who are thought to have recorded the first ever country single, Will the Circle Be Unbroken. These songs are still being recorded and performed today. Plus a few more modern bits and pieces. Back in the Saddle Again, Friday 12.7.24, 10am til noon, River FM, 92.9, and streaming.

04/07/2024

Tomorrow on BITSA, we are honouring the noble life of one of the most intellectual, scathing and the funniest americana artist, the original Texas Jewboy, Kinky Friedman, who died last week. Writer, performer, politician, and animal rescuer, we will hear some of his greatest tracks, including Ride 'em Jewboy, They Ain't Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore (which includes the immortal line "they ain't making carpenters who know what nails are for", and heaps others. A treat awaits. Back in the Saddle Again, River FM, 92.9 and streaming, 10-midday, 5.7.24.

27/06/2024

Tomorrow on BITSA we will go back to the origins of bluegrass, looking at the legend that is Bill Monroe, who arguably invented the genre. We will also jump into the 21st century with the latest release from Watling and Bates. A big show, Friday 28.6.24 at 10am on River FM, 92.9 and streaming.

20/06/2024

Last week we did the legendary George Jones, who's rendition of "He stopped loving her today" recalled Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday morning coming down", so we'll do Kris tomorrow. Well known for writing songs that were huge hits for other people (Bobby McGee, eg) we'll play his versions along with some other interesting songs. Also some sweet sweet country from other artists. BISTSA, River FM, 92.9, streaming, 10-midday, 21.6.24.

13/06/2024

Tomorrow on BITSA we are going to dip into the work and tragic life of George Jones, generally recognised as the GOAT of country singers (also known as Possum because of his pointy nose and narrow eyes). He had an abusive childhood, and a destructively alcoholic adulthood; but when he turned up for performances, always won critical and peer acclaim. I'll trawl through the station playlist, and add some of my faves. BITSA, Friday 14 June, River FM, 92.9, streaming, 10-midday.

06/06/2024

Tomorrow on BITSA we are going to listen to Herb Pedersen solo and with some of the influential artists he performed with. A second generation bluegrass musician, he has worked with Earl Scruggs, Chris Hillman, David Grisman and many others. Back in the Saddle Again, Friday 7.6.24 at 10am on River FM, 92.9, and streaming.

30/05/2024

Tomorrow on BITSA we are going to listen to the great Mississipi John Hurt, one of the many authentic country/blues/folk artists who were unearthed after the white college kids stole their songs and made a motza. At least MJ got a dignified old age and funeral, as well as these tracks making it into the Library of Congress. Plus other goodies. Back in the Saddle Again, River FM, 92.9, streaming, 31.5.24 10-noon.

23/05/2024

💋🕶🚔 Out tomorrow!
Presave https://gyro.to/231468Alice

23/05/2024

Tomorrow on BITSA we are going to look at Anne Kirkpatricks live album, Out of the Blue. She shares the stage with the best Oz acts of the time, 1991, and I'm surprised that I haven't already done it. Even mummy and daddy are there in the mix. Hailed as a watershed in Oz country music, it is firmly rooted in americana; that does my head in. Back in the Saddle Again, River FM, 92.9, 10-high noon, 24.5.24.