The Front Porch Bluegrass Show

07/27/2024

What song is he playing? Name your favorite...

06/28/2024

A little dark, but the Bluegrass Boys were ready to go... circa 1979.

06/28/2024

43 years ago... I heard "uncle Josh" play in Warrenton. Twenty years later I saw him and gave him a copies of the pictures. He said he was "glad I don't smoke Viceroys anymore." It might have been a different brand... Strange how memories pop up...

06/28/2024

Happy 4th...early. Be safe.

05/28/2024

Some days...you just want to post a picture of uncle Josh...

05/24/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/TxMo3LT6bYTfJwfj/?mibextid=oFDknk

05/01/2024

Happy 3rd anniversary! The Front Porch Bluegrass Show (on Sunday nights at 6 on WIZS in Henderson NC. ) is growing and adding stations... and proud to claim WIZS as our "first expansion ". Lots of appreciation to John Rose for listening and adding us to his station.

04/28/2024

Free advice...

04/28/2024

And now, a word from our sponsor.

04/27/2024

Caution! Photo-dump from Merlefest.

04/26/2024

Heading out to MerleFest...

04/22/2024

Make plans to attend Merlefest this week in beautiful Wilkesboro. You might see me there...

04/22/2024

The Big Lick Bluegrass Festival was a great experience! Make plans to be there next year...

04/21/2024

The Big Lick Bluegrass Festival was a big success! Great lineup and a well run event!!!

04/16/2024

The Big Lick Bluegrass Festival is this weekend. April 18-20 in beautiful Oakboro, NC. It's time to get outdoors....

04/16/2024

They used to say "take a kid fishing " on the Southern Sportsman. I say "teach a kid early" to make music. It's the seed that gives back for a lifetime."

04/16/2024

Howdy, howdy, howdy.....

04/09/2024

My article in Bluegrass Today....

The sounds of bluegrass and country music have been on the air in southeast Virginia for 77 years thanks to WSVS radio (97.1 FM / 800 AM) in Crewe, VA.

02/23/2024

Happy Friday from the Front Porch (with a little help from Little Roy Lewis).

12/29/2023

The Little Roy and Lizzie Show is coming to Troy on February 17th....brought to you by the Troy-Montgomery county Lions Club and Jeff Branch. Details on how to reserve your tickets will be posted soon.

10/01/2023

Great night of entertainment with the IBMA vocal group of the year Authentic Unlimited. Thanks to Jeff Branch for bringing this group to the area and to the Big Lick Bluegrass Festival next year. Jesse Brock on mandolin might be the best in the business today...

09/08/2023

Tip of the hat to Larry Sparks. I enjoyed your show at Camp Springs. Thank you for taking time to chat.

09/02/2023

The Camp Springs Bluegrass Festival is this weekend. It's worth the ride...

07/14/2023

A few old things from a box labeled bluegrass....

07/14/2023

When I was 12, I wrote both Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. These memories popped up today.

07/09/2023

Hillbilly Moms Letter

Dear Son, I'm writing this slow 'cause I know you can't read fast.

We don't live where we did when you left.
Your dad read in the paper that most accidents happen within twenty miles of home, so we moved.

Won't be able to send you the address as the last Arkansas family that lived here took the numbers with them for their house, so they wouldn't have to change their address.

This place has a washing machine. The first day I put four shirts in it, pulled the chain and haven't seen 'em since.

It only rained twice this week, three days the first time and four days the second time.

The coat you wanted me to send to you, Aunt Sue said it would be a little too heavy to send in the mail with them heavy buttons, so we cut them off and put them in the pockets.

We got a bill from the funeral home, and it said if we didn't make the final payment on Grandma's funeral bill, up she comes.

About your sister, she had a baby this morning. I haven't found out whether if it is a boy or girls so dont know if you are an Aunt or Uncle???

Your Uncle John fell in the whiskey vat. Some men tried to get him out, but he fought them off playfully, so he drowned.
We cremated him and he burned for three days.

Three of your friends went off the bridge in a pickup.
One was driving and the other two were in the back. The driver got out. He rolled down the window and swam to safety.
The other 2 drowned. They couldn't get the tailgate down.

Not much more news this time.
Nothing much happened. If you don't get this letter, please let me know and I will send another one.
Love, Mom

P.S. - I was going to send you some spending money, but I had already sealed the envelope and mailed it.

06/28/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10209947635326237&id=1795378764&mibextid=Nif5oz

06/27/2023

Sad days in my bluegrass circle. Bobby Osborne...praying for the family during this difficult time.

06/26/2023

If you ever get the chance, pick up a Hatley Family cd...or see them in person. You'll be glad you did.

06/24/2023

We were leaving a Homecoming service at Thomas Chapel in Vicksboro , NC when I was about 10. My dad turned on the radio and Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys were on. My dad loved Johnny Cash and Hank Williams. If George Jones or Conway Twitty were on the radio, he'd listen, but he wouldn't turn the volume up. Cash? Yes. Hank? Absolutely. That Sunday afternoon in 1973 he turned it up for Jim and Jesse. I don't remember the song, but when it was over, he turned the volume back to low. He told me. "that's Jim and Jesse!" He told me about meeting them in Virginia in the early 60's. Turning the nob up told me how he liked their music.

I met both Jim and Jesse around 1995. I talked with Jesse at a couple of places later on. I've been a fan since I was sitting in the back seat of that 67 Plymouth. My dad raised me right....especially when it comes to appreciating good music.

I just learned that Jesse Mcreynolds passed away. Praying for Joy and the family during this difficult time. We have lost a gentleman and a tremendously talented artist in bluegrass.