History
“The Story Behind “Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley” “Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley” is a classic American folk song that has captivated audiences for generations. The song, also known as “Tom Dooley,” tells the tragic tale of Tom Dula (pronounced “Dooley” in the local dialect), a Confederate veteran who was convicted of murdering […]
The Last Columbia Recordings by Bill Monroe: A Glimpse into Bluegrass History Bill Monroe, often celebrated as the “Father of Bluegrass,” impacted the world of music. His contributions to the genre are immense, and his recordings with Columbia Records stand as a testament to his pioneering spirit and musical genius. In this blog post, we […]
Vern Williams (December 9, 1930– June 6, 2006) Vern was a singer and mandolin player who wasinstrumental in introducing Bluegrass music to the West Coastof the United States. Williams was born in Newton County, Arkansas (or Bullfrog Valley, Pope County, Arkansas), as part of a musical family, that played either the fiddle, the guitar, or […]
J. D. Crowe, whose full name was James Dee Crowe, was a renowned American banjo player and bluegrass band leader who significantly impacted the genre by blending tradition with innovation. During the 1950s, Crowe gained prominence during his four-year collaboration with Jimmy Martin. The legendary Earl Scruggs influenced his banjo playing style, and he mastered […]
The Carter Scratch by Wayne Erbsen They didn’t call her Mother Maybelle for nuthin.’ Nope. In addition to being the mother of three girls (Helen, Valerie June, and Anita), Maybelle Carter certainly earned the title of Mother of Bluegrass Guitar. Starting in 1927, her lead and rhythm guitar playing laid the foundation that was built […]
The Orange Blossom Special was a deluxe passenger train that inspired the tune by the same name. Ervin T. Rouse wrote and copyrighted the song in 1938, and Ervin and Gordon Rouse recorded it first in 1939. There has been a bit of controversy as to the original composer of the instrumental. Robert Russell […]
The Big Bang Theory of Bluegrass If the “Big Bang Theory” helps to explain the origin of the universe, perhaps “the big bang theory of bluegrass” will shed some light on the origin of the bluegrass music universe. First, let me say that there are two schools of thought as to the origins of bluegrass […]
In the early 1970s, “Fox on the Run” was among the most requested bluegrass songs. Along with “Rocky Top,” a bluegrass band could scarcely play a show without fans yelling for “Rocky Top” or “Fox on the Run.” The song was written in 1968 by an Englishman named Tony Hazzard and first recorded as […]
Merle Haggard was an American singer-songwriter who earned a reputation as a country music icon with his soulful and honest music that spoke to people’s struggles, hopes, and dreams. Born in 1937 in California, Haggard grew up in a poor family and had to work hard from an early age. His father died when he […]
“Big Bad John” is a country song written and composed by Jimmy Dean.
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