Sunday Night Bluegrass on 92.3 FM WMOQ

20/07/2024

This is your admin, Jack Ritchie. I just found out my friend and former boss, David Malcom "Julio the Midnight Chef", has passed away (1959-2024). David and I go back at least 15 years, to my days on the radio in Athens, GA. I'll refer to him as Julio, because that is what everyone called him (funny story behind thar name) but anyways, Julio was a huge part of 92.3 FM WMOQ since it's inception in '94. He was that radio station. I first started listening to this little small town country radio station around 2007, particularly their Sunday night Bluegrass show. I also enjoyed their Morning Madness and Old Country Jukebox shows as well. Everything was live, raw, and full of good down-to-earth entertainment. Even the commercials were entertaining. I never thought I'd get the opportunity to work at WMOQ until Julio reached out to me in 2012, after a staffing change at the station. It was perfect timing, as I was at the end of my college radio career, having graduated that spring but was in the process of training my replacement at WUOG. I started on at WMOQ in December 2012. I was working 5 part time jobs, as the recession was still impacting jobs in the Landscape Architecture field. Getting to work with Julio and all the great folks at WMOQ was one of my favorite job experiences to date. Julio also gave me the opportunity to work for him on his farm, propagating plants in his green houses-an experience I'll never forget. Working alongside Booyank and other laborers, it provided me an opportunity to learn about farming, but more importantly other people. Through my days at WMOQ, I met many wonderful people and have been blessed numerous times from those interactions. Many of my Facebook friends are former listeners of my show and I'm grateful we met. Julio will go down in history as one of the funniest radio personalities in Georgia, if not anywhere. His love for family, old country and Bluegrass music, barbecue, black labs, and life in general was unparalleled. Please pray for his family and his extended radio station family at WMOQ 92.3 FM as I know it will never quite be the same without him. Rest in peace Julio, you will be sorely missed.

04/06/2014

Bluegrass lost one of it's best guitar pickers today to cancer. RIP James Alan Shelton (1960-2014). The Clinch Mountain Boys won't be the same without you. You now pick & sing in the angel band.

03/05/2014

Please pray for James Allan Shelton, Ralph Stanley's lead guitarist of 20 years. He recently found out he has Stage 4 cancer. He's a wonderful person who is so talented, yet so humble.
http://bluegrasstoday.com/hard-news-from-james-alan-shelton/

When we reported last week that James Alan Shelton had been hospitalized, we all hoped to hear good news by now. Instead, James received some very difficult news earlier today.

30/04/2014

Nice tribute to a former Bluegrass Boy, Ralph Lewis. Many of the great Bluegrass pickers had stints in the military, like Don Reno for example.

Today's Veteran of the Day is Ralph Lewis. Before playing music and touring the world with Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys, Ralph was a sailor on the USS Hancock (CV-19) from 1951-1955. During his Navy service Ralph was a pipefitter and firefighter. Ralph is pictured in 1952 in San Diego, California and again in 2012 in Marshall, North Carolina.

Thank you for your service, Ralph!

08/04/2014

RIP George Shuffler(1925-2014). George Shuffler was one of the members of Ralph & Carter Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys. His baritone vocals and trademark guitar picking can be heard on many of the Stanley Brothers' recordings. Here's one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENiMyzyex8w

04/04/2014

RIP Arthur Smith. The real author of "Dueling Banjos."

Charlotte-based Arthur Smith was guitar wizard, Southern gentleman and influenced generations of musicians from Johnny Cash to Paul McCartney. He won lawsuit over use of ‘Dueling Banjos.’

02/03/2014

Today would've been Doc Watson's 91st birthday. We lost him two years ago.

Please join us in remembering Doc Watson on what would have been his 91st birthday! www.facebook.com/BluegrassLife

25/02/2014

Today is Dr. Ralph Stanley's 87th birthday!

23/02/2014

It was on this day in 1969 that Flatt & Scruggs played their last show together. This ended a 21 year run for one of the greatest groups to even perform Bluegrass music. Earl Scruggs left to continue his music career with his sons & the Earl Scruggs R***e. Lester kept the same traditional sound alive with the Nashville Grass until his death in 1979.

02/02/2014

Happy ground hog day! Let's listen to old Grandpa Jones sing a good 'un.
http://youtu.be/MIFPy_MGhoc

PUBLIC DOMAIN

10/01/2014

Friends and listeners, I want to tell you that I will no longer be able to host Sunday Night Bluegrass on 92.3 FM WMOQ. I have loved my time here at WMOQ 92.3 FM as a disc jockey for a special genre of music that is dear to my heart. I appreciate each and every one of you. This show would've dropped off programing hadn't it not been for your support when I took over the show in December 2012. Many of you I have gotten to know through radio here or when I was at WUOG. Unfortunately, I can no longer devote enough time to the show, primarily the commute. I have taken a full time job elsewhere and am going on a radio hiatus for now. Sunday Night Bluegrass is going to continue as a syndicated show. Stay tuned to 92.3 FM WMOQ for more information. You just might hear me again and that wonderful Bluegrass music again one of these days on a radio station near you. Thanks and take care! -Jack Ritchie

06/01/2014

Today would've been Earl Scruggs' 90th birthday.

On this day in 1924 Earl Scruggs was born. We are grateful for his life and his talent. He truly changed the world with a banjo. Happy Birthday Earl!

05/01/2014

No radio show tonight folks. Sorry, but it is just too darn cold and the roads are gonna be icy on the long journey home. I don't want to end up like BJ the DJ. Stay tuned...

29/12/2013

Tune in tonight if you can, 7-10pm on 92.3 FM or live over the web at wmoqfm.com! Thanks!

01/12/2013

Going to a three hour format TONIGHT! Tune in if you can to 92.3 FM WMOQ Bostwick/Monroe and live over the web at wmoqfm.com. Going to be some good music comin' over the airwaves this evening!

24/11/2013

Back on air tonight! Tonight's featured artist is Roy Acuff, who passed away 21 years ago yesterday. He was a very influential member of the Grand Ole Opry and kept the old-time mountain music alive throughout a changing 20th century of country music. Expect to hear some of his music tonight along with all the best from 7-9pm on 92.3 FM WMOQ and wmoqfm.com!

17/11/2013

Heads up, Jack Ritchie won't be hosting Sunday Night Bluegrass on 92.3 FM WMOQ tonight. He'll be back next Sunday. Stay tuned...

10/11/2013

40 years ago today, one of the saddest crimes was committed. "Stringbean" David Akemon(1916-1973) and his wife Estelle was murdered by the Brown boys over money. RIP String, you are still missed 40 years later. He was one of the best old-time banjo players and most entertaining figures in Nashville. Take a listen to this moving song...
http://youtu.be/c6ETIy8fi0g

Official music video music written and performed by Verlon Thompson Video produced by Genuine Human Productions