Mac Wiseman - The Wreck of the Old 97
Here's a classic from the `89 Charlotte Bluegrass Festival of Mac Wiseman performing his rendition of 'The Wreck of the Old 97'. Mac appeared at the Charlotte festival numerous times and was always a fan favorite for the attending crowd. The remainder of this show will be available tomorrow (8/20) on our YouTube channel. Be sure to like and subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE9iTlJEgyx8Yfxu2cQxwGA .
Bluegrass Twist (LIVE) - David Davis & the Warrior River Boys
The Warrior River Boys have recently come out with a new CD for Rounder Records and we couldn’t be happier for them. It is hard to think of any band that deserves success more than David Davis & the Warrior River Boys. We have been proud to know David for coming on thirty years. They kind of came out of the neo-traditionalist movement of the 80s spearheaded by groups such as the Johnson Mountain Boys. Those who saw them back in the late 80s can testify that there was nobody like them and we continue to be so proud that they recorded one of their first albums for us in Passin’ Thru which remains one of our best offerings. One crucial, but understated, element to the band has always been David’s devotion to play the mandolin in the manner of William Smith Monroe. So we offer one of our favorites that the group used to play back in the day which highlighted David especially well, Bluegrass Twist. Of course, he boasted one of the best bands of the time: Larry Wallace on banjo, Mitch Scott on guitar, Stan Wilemon on bass and Charlie Cline on fiddle. Still, it is David’s mandolin that we hope you pay special attention to on this number which was taken from their appearance at Charlotte Bluegrass Festival in 1990.
The Charlie Sizemore Band - Gravel Road (1988)
Charlie Sizemore was lead vocalist for Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys in the 70's and 80's replacing Keith Whitley. "Gravel Road" is the first track and title track for The Charlie Sizemore Band's first album with Old Homestead's Rutabaga Records after leaving the Clinch Mountain Boys. Released in 1988, this track is the perfect example of Sizemore's eloquent blend of vocals and instrumentation that would be their calling card for years to come.
Delia Bell & Bill Grant - Violet and the Rose
It was with great sadness that we learned news of Delia Bell's recent passing. We are so fortunate that she and Bill Grant graced us with their presence on Old Homestead, much less that they recorded nine wonderful albums for us and let us reissue five of their self-produced albums from the 70's. Delia Bell and Bill were such a joy to work with, and we loved having them at the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival for all the years that we ran it. It is hard to find just one song to showcase her talents, but here is a song that seemed like it must have been written just for her. Jake Jenkins and Allan Phelps do some nice work on this one on the banjo and dobro, respectively, and Karl Shifflett also has a nice fiddle break on this one. However, let’s be clear – the true talent on this one is Delia Bell.
Clyde Moody - One Step More (1972)
We have been fortunate through the years to be able to record some country music legends. One of whom we are most proud, is Clyde Moody. His first album for us, Moody’s Blues (OHS90013) in 1972 has always been one of our favorite items in the Old Homestead catalog. We were able to show Clyde in many different ways and lights, both familiar and unfamiliar. No matter what setting you put him in, though, you always knew you were going to get Clyde’s best, which was better than most. Backed by Roy McGinnis and the Sunnysiders, and some nice fills by David Fraley on the banjo, One Step More is a sacred song that was made popular by Pete Cassell, but I have always associated with Clyde after hearing him do this version.
DID YOU KNOW: This Old Homestead classic, along with the first 26 releases are available on digital markets and streaming outlets like iTunes, Amazon and Spotify? Check out our new OHS Digital Store and download your favorites today! New releases are updated weekly. https://oldhomesteadrecords.com/portfolio/shopdigital/
Wade & Julia Mainer - Little Maggie/Will the Circle Be Unbroken (1989)
Wade and Julia Mainer performing "Little Maggie" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" at the Charlotte (MI) Bluegrass Festival in 1989. Wade along with his brother J.E. and the Sons of the Mountaineers were among a handful of innovators who would pioneer what we know of today as Bluegrass music.
This clip is especially notable because it highlights some of the 'family' of people who would collectively help John Morris and make the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival run. From Carl and Nadine Cook who were operating the camera here, to Kris Nagel who mastered mobile food decades before food trucks were a 'thing'. Wilma Gray and her family who ran the music tent, Virgil Shouse, Dan Secrest, Stan and Steve Hester, Berk Bryant as the emcee, Fred Morris, Dennis Delprato, and John Morris (II) managing the front gate, to Gary Suntken (seen in video) and later Keith, running festival operations, and so many more.
If you're friends with them or just remember attending the show, feel free to tag friends of the festival to this post, and share your own memories in the comments.
These Old Blues - Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers
By the time he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015, we can all agree Larry Sparks was long overdue. We like to think that maybe this track helped him get there. From 1974's OHS 90041 (The Lonesome Sounds), "These Old Blues" remains one of Larry's best compositions. The Lonesome Ramblers (Mike Lilly, Wendy Miller and Joe Meadows) are in fine form here as well. And while he recorded it for others, in our humble opinion, this version is the best.
Blue Dreamer [1975] - Wendy Miller & Mike Lilly
'Blue Dreamer' is off of Wendy Miller and Mike Lilly’s third album together, 'Country Grass' (OHS90049 1975). Most people familiar with bluegrass in the 1970's are aware of Mike’s banjo playing but it is his Tony Rice-esque guitar that shines on this one. Written by Wendy and Nolan Faulkner, this is a classic instrumental that should be heard by many more people.
Musicians:
Wendy Miller
Mike Lilly
Tommy Boyd
Vernon McIntyre Jr.
John Henry - Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys (1994)
As the calendar turns to the end of June this reminds us of the annual bluegrass pilgrimage that we and thousands of diehard fans of bluegrass and old time music would make to a field and agriculture center in the middle of the Eaton County (MI) Fairgrounds; the Charlotte Bluegrass Festival.
While the festival rolls on successfully to this day, Old Homestead and John Morris no longer have an active role outside of rooting for its continued success. But from the mid 70's until the early 2000's, as owner and operator of the festival, John would bring in some of bluegrass music's legendary performers to entertain the crowds.
This particular performance features the Father of Bluegrass himself, Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys in 1994. Even at the age of 82 years, Monroe was still getting it done with this rendition of 'John Henry' that he would use to close his first of two sets on June 24, 1994 in Charlotte, MI.
We'll be posting the full concert on our YouTube channel early next week. Be sure to Subscribe so you can enjoy the entirety of the performance. - Charlotte Bluegrass Festival-June 21-23, 2018 Dana Cupp
Fifty Miles of Elbow Room [1979] - Helen Carter
John Morris, Old Homestead’s owner, was a huge Carter Family fan and jumped at the chance to record an album by one of Maybelle Carter’s talented daughters, Helen Carter. How much more of a thrill must it have been for him to provide the A. P. Carter part on Helen’s very true-to-the-original version of the Carter’s song, Fifty Miles of Elbow Room, which also featured Helen using Maybelle’s autoharp on the track. 'Fifty Miles of Elbow Room' originally appeared on the 1979 Old Homestead Records release 'This is for You Mama' (OHS 90124).
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![Blue Dreamer [1975] - Wendy Miller & Mike Lilly](https://img2.medioq.com/v/071/759/1726696540717596.jpg)
![Fifty Miles of Elbow Room [1979] - Helen Carter](https://img2.medioq.com/v/507/189/1716486935071890.jpg)
