8/31/2023
Episode #155 “Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival Stories with Leah Ross”
Today’s Playlist
The Fox – Nicklecreek
Pipedream – Sally and George
I Hear Them All – Old Crow Medicine Show
Our Town – Iris DeMent
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion
7/20/2023
Episode #154 “Life Stories with Harvey Anderson”
Today I’ll be speaking with guest, Harvey Anderson. Harvey has retired twice from two careers: he was a pilot in the Navy for nearly 20 years and then had a career as a teacher at Sullivan County Schools here in Bristol. He volunteers nearly every day, be it here at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum or at many other local organizations in the region. He starts his day out each morning with a hike, usually at Steele Creek Park in Bristol, TN. He’s also an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker completing the entire 2,190+ miles of the AT from Georgia to Maine – at age 67. The most interesting thing I learn speaking with Harvey for this episode is that he’s had the same mustache for over 50 years, never shaving his upper lip since the day before his graduation from the Navy (his grown children have never seen him without the mustache!) Today’s episode features Harvey sharing some of his life stories.
Today’s Playlist
Walk of Life – Dire Straits
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
Leaving on a Jet Plane – John Denver
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
6/21/2023
Episode #153 “Squirrels”
What do you call a fight between squirrels? A squarrel. Today is gonna be a little bit nuts, because in this episode I’ll be talking about squirrels! Joining me for today’s show will be resident squirrel enthusiast and colleague, Erika Barker, who will be helping me with today’s story segment. We’ll be reading an Aesop’s Fable called “A Cartload of Almonds” and featuring a variety of fun facts about the squirrel. Today’s show playlist also features a bunch of nutty, squirrely tunes.
Today’s Playlist
Uh! Oh! – The Nutty Squirrels
I’m a Nut – Roger Miller
Squirrel Heads and Gravy – The Sheets Family Band
The Mississippi Squirrel Revival – Ray Stevens
Put A Lid On It – Squirrel Nut Zippers
Squirrel Hunters – John Hartford
Squirrel of Possibility – Punch Brothers
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Aesop’ Fables – A Cartload of Almonds
10 Nutty Facts to Make You Appreciate Squirrels
5/25/2023
Episode #152 “Storyteller Cynthia Millhorn”
Today I’m speaking with storyteller and performer Cynthia Millhorn, a recent graduate student of the one of a kind Storytelling Communications and Performance program at ETSU. The Appalachian region is deeply rooted in storytelling, and students in this program work on skills to develop a professional career as a performer and much more. Cynthia will talk about her own experience going through this program, and will talk about creating her upcoming show, Fables and Fantasies: A Storytelling Event on June 3rd in Johnson City, TN which features themes of feminism and of flipping the narrative of classic folk and fairy tales. I’m so excited to bring you this conversation with Cynthia today, and special thanks to her for coming in to speak with me!
Today’s Playlist
Little Red Riding Hood – Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs
Fairy Tales – Ella Fitzgerald, The Mills Brothers
The River Knows – Molly Tuttle
Harper Valley PTA – Jeannie C. Riley
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
5/18/2023
Episode #151 “Library of Things at the Bristol Public Library”
Today Tonia Kestner, Executive Director of the Bristol Public Library, will be joining me to talk all about all that libraries do and what resources and services that they provide. The Bristol Public Library serves both cities of Bristol VA and TN and there are so many resources available that you might now know about, one of which is the library of things, a collection of items such as kitchenware, musical instruments, and games hosted at a library that you can check out with a library card. Today we’ll be learning more about this interesting resource and so much more!
Today’s Playlist
Paperback Writer – The Beatles
School Days – Chuck Berry
The Book I Read – Talking Heads
You Can’t Judge A Book By The Cover – Bo Diddley
Book of Memories – George Jones
My Heart Is an Open Book – Jimmy Dean
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
4/27/2023
Episode #150 “Bristol History”
Today I’ll be speaking with Barbara Smith, president of the Bristol Historical Association all about some local Bristol TN/VA history. Barbara is also a senior docent at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and assists with leading many group tours. A museum docent is responsible for content and interpretation of the museum, including the core exhibit, any special exhibits and programs. One way to help connect with visitors is by sharing stories of local history. Today I’ll be talking with Barbara to learn some stories about the twin cities, including histories of the historic train station and the Bristol sign, along with tales of some interesting residents like the “Marrying” Parson Burroughs and Pocahontas Hale.
Today’s Playlist
The Winding Stream – The Carter Family
Chattanooga Choo Choo – Hank Snow
Bristol Stomp – The Dovells
Petty Blue – Charles Alexander
Super 8 – Jason Isbell
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Events at Birthplace of Country Music Museum
4/13/2023
Episode #149 “Radio Bristol’s Story”
Today is a special episode, right now Radio Bristol is in the middle of the annual Radio Bristol Fund Drive! If you like what you hear everyday on this station, please consider giving a tax deductible donation by visiting listenradiobristol.org/give. As part of todays special fund drive program, I’ll be sitting down with Radio Bristol program director Kris Truelsen to talk about the story about how Radio Bristol was made possible. If you’re a regular listener or a new listener you might not know the full story of how it all got started, from being first thought of as an exhibit to a working community radio station for the past eight years! Today’s program features this story along with info about the annual Radio Bristol Fund Drive.
Today’s Playlist
If You’ve Got The Money I’ve Got The Time – Lefty Frizzell
Busted – Ray Charles
Too Much Month (At The End Of The Money) – Marty Stuart
Money That’s What I Want – The Beatles
9 to 5 – Dolly Parton
Poor Folks Town – Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Support Radio Bristol
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
3/23/2023
Episode #148 “Women in Old-Time Music”
Women have always been central to old-time music – in the home and on the stage, and as instrumentalists and singers, preservationists, activists, promoters, and cultural memory keepers. The new special museum exhibit, I’ve Endured: Women in Old-Time Music, highlights the many women who have been integral to this music, exploring the challenges they’ve faced making a career in the field, the ways they have impacted the genre, and their vision for the future of old-time. Today I’ll be joining the conversation and talking with colleagues Rene Rodgers and Erika Barker to talk about some favorite stories that the exhibit features, along with the lengthy process of creating a museum exhibit. I’m so excited that the exhibit is now officially open to the public today!
Today’s Playlist
I’ve Endured – Ola Belle Reed
Polly Ann’s Hammer – Amythyst Kiah, Songs of Our Native Daughters
Nancy Belvins – Allison de Groot & Tatiana Hargreaves
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Women In Old-Time Music website
Birthplace of Country Music Museum
1/19/2023
Episode #147 “Holler House with Brian Serway”
https://bocm-od.streamguys1.com/content/MtnSongStory/20230120154752-9680-MountainSongStoryEpisode147HollerHousewithBrianSerway11923.mp3
Today I’ll be speaking with Brian Serway, a neo-Appalachian artist from right here in SWVA! Brian works professionally as an illustrator and printmaker, and his work is inspired by folklore, the cosmos, and wildlife with a goal to attempt to evoke the archaic, ethereal, and deeply mysterious qualities of Appalachia. He also recently opened up Holler House, a brick and mortar gallery, printshop and maker space celebrating local creators in Southern Appalachia, locate right here in Bristol, VA on downtown state street. Today I talk with Brian to learn all about his art, the Holler House, and so much more, it’s going to be a great conversation. Special thanks for Brian for taking the time to talk about art, folklore for todays show!
Today’s Playlist
Scary Monsters (And super creeps) – David Bowie
Less Honkin’ More Tonkin’ – The Deslondes
Fist City – Loretta Lynn
My Tennessee Mountain Home – Dolly Parton
Across the Blue Ridge Mountains – Rising Appalachia
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
1/5/2023
Episode #146 “Special Guest Eugene Wolf”
https://bocm-od.streamguys1.com/content/MtnSongStory/20230119123427-9607-MountainSongStoryEpisode146SpecialGuestEugeneWolf152023.mp3
I’ve got a really special show airing today on Mountain Song & Story with the incredibly wonderful Eugene Wolf! Eugene is well known for years of work acting at the Barter Theater in Abingdon VA, and as a musician in the band the Brother Boys. Eugene has also performed across the US and in other parts of the world. His one man show, The Book of Mamaw, is a solo performance, featuring songs, stories and sketches about growing up with his grandmother in Greenville, TN. The Book of Mamaw is a musical tale of a surprising spiritual path to kindness and compassion. Check out this episode to hear more about Eugene’s life in song and story.
Today’s Playlist
I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me) – The Brother Boys (from new Album released in 2022)
Downtown – Petula Clark
Keep on the Sunny Side – The Carter Family
Singing The Blues – Connie Francis
Hoping That You’re Hoping – The Louvin Brothers
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
The Brother Boys
The Book of Mamaw
The Barter Theater
Eugene Wolf Music
12/15/2022
Episode #145 “Appalachia’s Santa Train”
https://bocm-od.streamguys1.com/content/MtnSongStory/20221220143525-9501-MountainSongStoryEpisode145AppalachiasSantaTrain121522.mp3
Today I have a special Christmas episode where I’ll be broadcasting audio from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s recent monthly speaker series, which is a regular monthly program featuring a variety of talks with experts in their field. This month’s guest was Don Royston (AKA Santa Claus) from Appalachia’s The Santa Train! During this recording, you’ll hear Don talk about this program’s history and his memories from his time on the Santa Train over the years. Each Year the Santa train travels from Pikeville, Ky., to Kingsport, Tenn., on the Saturday before Thanksgiving in celebration of the holiday season. The Santa Train makes 14 stops in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee, distributing more than 15 tons and $300,000 worth of clothing, food, candy, toys and gifts to thousands of people. You’ll also hear some holiday honky tonkin’ hits on todays show – that’s FESTIVE! The monthly speaker series is a great program that is FREE and open to the public at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, the next speaker series is about the hidden history of the banjo, you can learn more about the upcoming programs here.
Special thanks to the museum team – Rene, Erika, and Scotty – for putting on this great monthly program!
Today’s Playlist
Santa Train – Patty Loveless
Christmas Time’s A-Coming – Craig Duncan
Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy (Daddy Looked a Lot Like Him) – Buck Owens
Pretty Paper – Willie Nelson
Even Santa Claus Gets The Blues – Marty Staurt
Let It Snow / The Last Christmas Medley You’ll Ever Need To Hear – Riders In The Sky
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
The Santa Train
Birthplace of Country Music Museum Speaker Series
12/1/2022
Episode #144 “Improvising with Special Guest Michael Gerber”
“We’re not told often enough that we are creative beings and that we need to create to live… so many people are just convinced that they aren’t creative people, I’ve heard people say it, ‘Oh well I’m not one of those creative types’ yes you are, you ARE. And you need to exercise that kind of thing.” – Michael Gerber
https://bocm-od.streamguys1.com/content/MtnSongStory/20221202104344-9427-MountainSongStoryEp.143withSpecialGuestMichaelGerber_12-1-2022.mp3
Today’s guest is my Michael Gerber – an educator specializing in teaching acting and improvised comedy. Today we’ll be chatting about what improv even is, creativity, the theatre, his take on being an Appalachian transplant, and so much more! Special thanks to Michael for taking the time to talk with me for today’s show, Please join us for a really fun conversation! Michael grew up in Portland, Oregon (before it was cool!) where he fell in love with the local theater scene, particularly improvised comedy! All throughout his college days, he spent the majority of his time learning and performing as much comedy improv as possible. He would go on to perform and teach comedy improv for all ages, most recently through the education department at Barter Theater, in Abingdon, Virginia, and through his new theater performance school, Appalachian Performing Arts Academy.
Today’s Playlist
Reincarnation – Roger Miller
How Come Your Dog Don’t Bite Nobody But Me – Webb Pierce & Mel Tillis
Smokey the Bear – Eddy Arnold
What a Wonderful World (Remastered) – Louis Amstrong
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Appalachian Performing Arts Academy
Michael Gerber
Blue Ridge Comedy Club
Barter Theatre
10/27/2022
Episode #143 “2022 Halloween Tales – Part 2”
What’s the best place to hide from ghosts? The living room… it’s another new special Halloween episode of Mountain Song & Story! Today you’ll hear more personal spooky stories from Birthplace of Country Music staff and friends, including a few tales from guests Bailey George, Jacob Jessup, Clinton J Holley, Andrew Small, Ashlee Watkins, and Damean Mathews. This show will wrap up the Halloween episodes for this October, but remember spooky stories are fun ALL year round. Thank you so much to everyone who I had a chance to record a story with, if I didn’t get to yours I’ll be collecting more soon. If you have a spooky Halloween tale you think I’d like to hear, please contact me at info@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org attn: Toni Doman to learn how to submit.
Today’s Playlist
The Witch Queen of New Orleans – Redbone
It’s a Monster’s Holiday – Buck Owens
The Truth is Out There – Bailey George
That Evil Child – BB King
Faithless Ghost – Andrew Bird
Werewolf – The Frantics
Witchcraft – Frank Sinatra
Black Cat – Tommy Collins
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
10/20/2022
Episode #142 “2022 Halloween Tales – Part 1”
I’ve been collecting some personal spooky stories of Birthplace of Country Music staff and friends this year for October’s episodes, and today you’ll hear some of them! I’ve got a variety of different voices sharing their favorite Halloween tales, plus stories of the strange, and the sometimes unsettling weird things they’ve experienced. We all have a story that we either know by heart or maybe we’ve heard our entire lives, and I had a lot of fun speaking with so many folks collecting their stories for this months shows. On this episode you can hear a few tales from Rene Rodgers, Myrissa Pierce, Charlene Tipton Baker, and Erika Allison Barker. Next week I’ll have more stories from more guests. Thanks so much to everyone who I had a chance to record stories with this year! If you have a spooky Halloween tale you think I’d like to hear, please contact me at info@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org attn: Toni Doman to learn how to submit.
Today’s Playlist
Sturgill Simpson – The Dead Don’t Die
Haunted Heart – Perry Como
Knoxville Girl – The Louvin Brothers
Haunted House – Jumpin’ Gene Simmons
Sitting Up With The Dead – Ray Stevens
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
10/6/2022
Episode #141 “Kicking off October with Author Damean Mathews”
It’s been October for almost a week now, which means it’s the official kick off of all things spooky! All month long in October on Mountain Song & Story on I’ll be featuring a variety of haunting Halloween tales from a whole bunch of folks who shared their stories with me, if you sent a story in or had one recorded, thank you! Today I’ll be kicking off the season and talking with my guest Damean Mathews. a local Appalachian author who focuses on Appalachian fiction. Today’s program features a great conversation about Damean’s work as a independent author, his vast knowledge of regional folklore, and more! Damean is from Tazewell, Virginia and specializes in the paranormal and the mysterious genres in his writing. He independently published his first print collection, Tales of the Mysterious and the Macabre: Stories From the Appalachian Foothills, in 2019, his Appalachian werewolf novel Moonlight in 2020, and the Appalachian vampire novel, Maverip in 2021. He’s also just released a new collection of Appalachian horror short stories, Tales of Horror from the Heart of Appalachia.
Today’s Playlist
Black Cat – Tommy Collins
Daddy’s Little Pumpkin – John Prine
Walking in the Sunshine – Roger Miller
Where Corn Don’t Grow – Waylon Jennings
I’m Your Boogie Man – KC And The Sunshine Band
Howlin’ At The Moon – Hank Williams
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Damean Mathews Website
Books by Damean Mathews
Creative Writing Workshops
9/29/2022
Episode #140 “Bristol in Bloom Art Festival with Artist Marcy Parks”
On today’s program, I’ll be talking with artist Marcy Parks about the upcoming Bristol in Bloom Art Festival that’s kicking off next Saturday, October 8th in downtown Bristol, VA at Cumberland Square Park. The event is focused on celebrating the regional talent of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, an areas that’s brimming with talented musicians, painters, writers, actors, actresses, and more. Bristol in Bloom is an event focused on celebrating the talent that dwells in the foothills of Appalachia by sharing it with the community. Marcy also identifies as a Contemporary Appalachian, Mixed Media, Abstract Artist, Teacher, and Host of the Podcast Perfectionist in Recovery sharing original artwork, prints, and creative recovery courses. So tune in for a really fun conversation with Marcy all about art, the upcoming festival and so much more!
Today’s Playlist
Don’t Wanna Fight – Alabama Shakes
Amythyst Kiah – Fancy Drones (Fracture Me)
Hunger – Florence + The Machine
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Marcy Parks Art
Bristol In Bloom
9/15/2022
Episode #139 “Record Collecting and More with Guest Clint Holley”
Today on Mountain Song & Story I’m talking to my friend and fellow Radio Bristol DJ, Clint Holley! Clint’s program has a program on Radio Bristol called “Pressing Matters” which dives deep into the expanding world of vinyl records. He’s also the owner of the Well Made Music and The Earnest Tube in Bristol, VA. The Earnest Tube is a recording studio that specializes in recording artists live and direct-to-lacquer. Today I sit down with Clint to talk about the growing new generation of folks getting into vinyl record collecting, music (of course) and so much more! It’s always fun to talk with Clint, please join us for a fun conversation and a playlist featuring local musicians on todays show.
Today’s Playlist
Long Hard Life – 49 Winchester
Sittin’ On Top Of The World – Zach McNabb & The Tennessee Esquires
Broken Hearted Man – Tim Easton, Radio Bristol Sessions
You Ain’t No Good for Me – Momma Molasses
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
The Earnest Tube
Pressing Matters
Well Made Music
9/1/2022
Episode #138 “Neo-Appalachian Artist Richard Graves”
.
Today’s Playlist
Coke For The Road – Adam Bolt
Bailout – Annabelle’s Curse
Knocking on Your Screen Door – John Prine
Inside Problems – Andrew Bird
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Richard Graves Art
Arts Depop Abingdon, VA
Bristol in Bloom Art Festival
Serpounce on Instagram
8/25/2022
Episode #137 “Emily Hilliard and Katy Clune”
On today’s program, I’ll be speaking with not one but two guests, Emily Hilliard and Katy Clune! Emily is currently the Program Director for Folk and Traditional Arts at Mid Atlantic Arts, managing the Central Appalachia Living Traditions program, and she also is the former State Folklorist of West Virginia. Katy is Virginia’s new State Folklorist and director of the Virginia Folklife Program, which serves to sustain and empower the vital and diverse cultures and traditions of communities across the Commonwealth. If you’re curious what the role of a Folklorist actually is, this is the episode for you! Today I’ll chat with Emily and Katy about their roles working in folklife, arts and cultural traditions, and so much more. The two of them have done so many wonderful things individually relating to supporting cultural arts, and it was so much fun to speak with them earlier this month for this program. Thanks Katy and Emily for chatting with me!
Today’s Playlist
High on Mountain – Ola Belle Reed
East Virginia Blues – The Stanley Brothers
Black Mountain Rag – Doc Watson
West Virginia My Home – Hazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Emily Hilliard
Katy Clune
Central Appalachian Living Traditions
Mid Atlantic Arts
Virginia Folklife
Making Our Future: Visionary Folklore and Everyday Culture in Appalachia
In Good Keeping Film
8/11/2022
Episode #136 “The McKinney Center with guest Theresa Hammons”
Today’s Playlist
Harper Valley P.T.A. – Jeannie C. Riley
Blood and Bones – Our Native Daughters
Resilient – Rising Appalachia
Crooked Tree – Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway
Popsicle – Jan & Dean
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
8/4/2022
Episode #135 “Beans”
https://bocm-od.streamguys1.com/content/MtnSongStory/20220811163712-8830-MountainSongStory135842022Beans.mp3
Beans… today’s show is all about them! Today’s entire playlist is bean related and the program will feature folklore stories about beans including a Native American story about the Three Sisters, and a look into the classic story of Jack and the Beanstalk, which originally first appeared in print as the story story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean in 1734, and some fun facts about these groovy legumes.Cool beans!
Today’s Playlist
Beans and Cornbread – Louis Jordan and the Tympany Five
Beans For Breakfast – Johnny Cash
Cornbread and Butter Beans – Carolina Chocolate Drops
Don’t Leave Me Here – Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’
Homegrown Tomatoes – Guy Clark
Corn Liquor – Buck Owens
Beans In My Ears – The Serendipity Singers
Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee – Cornbread, Peas and Black Molasses
Cornbread Nation – Tim O’Brien
Look At Them Beans – Johnny Cash
Stringbean – Mountain Dew
Run Little Rabbit Run – Stringbean
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Why Beans Were an Ancient Emblem of Death
The Three Sisters Legend
Jack and the Enchanted Bean
Bean Fun Facts
7/7/2022
Episode #134 “Blue Ridge Comedy with Shawn Carter”
https://bocm-od.streamguys1.com/content/MtnSongStory/20220707235119-8692-MountainSongStoryEp.134772022BlueRidgeComedywithShawnCarter.mp3
Today I have a great show airing on Mountain Song & Story! I’ll be speaking with my guest Shawn Carter all about comedy. Last July, Shawn and his wife Sarah opened up the Blue Ridge Comedy Club on downtown state street in Bristol TN/VA. With weekly shows, open mics, classes, workshops and more they are celebrating their one year business anniversary – today! Blue Ridge Comedy has become the hub for comedy in the local area, and acts as a welcoming space for this community to gather. It’s wonderful that this region now has a platform for this creative artform. Humor is a useful, captivating tool in storytelling, which is something I feature a lot of on Mountain Song & Story, so I’m excited to feature and speak with Shawn all about his journey in the world of comedy for today’s program!
Today’s Playlist
You Can’t Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd – Roger Miller
My Uncle Used to Love Me But She Died – Roger Miller
You’re The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly – Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty
That’s the Way the World Goes Round – John Prine
Thank God and Greyhound – Roy Clark
Funny Man – Ray Stevens
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Blue Ridge Comedy Club
Blue Ridge Comedy Club Facebook
6/23/2022
Episode #133 “Chairmaking with Curtis Buchanan, Part 2”
Today is another really wonderful program, I’ll be airing part two of my conversation with guest Curtis Buchanan, a Windsor chairmaker who lives in historic Jonesborough, TN who’s been making chairs for a living full time since 1984. We’ll pick back up on my conversation with Curtis about chairmaking, working as a artisan, slowing down and enjoying life and more. Check out last week’s program for part one.
Today’s Playlist
Rockin’ Alone (In An Old Rocking Chair) – The Everly Brothers
Rockin’ Years – Ricky Van Shelton & Dolly Parton
Cuckoo Bird Song – Chris Rodrigues and Abby the Spoon Lady
Elizabeth Cotton – Freight Train
The Wabash Cannonball – Roy Acuff
Wedding Bells/Let’s Turn Back the Years – John Prine
The Little Carpenter – JP Harris
Little Cabin Home On the Hill – Flatt and Scruggs
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Curtis Buchanan Website
Charimaking YouTube videos – Curtis Buchanan
Southern Highlands Craft Shows
6/16/2022
Episode #132 “Chairmaking with Curtis Buchanan, Part 1”
Today is a really wonderful program, I’ll be speaking with my guest Curtis Buchanan, a Windsor chairmaker who lives in historic Jonesborough, TN who’s been making chairs for a living full time since 1984. Back in February I went on a visit to chat with Curtis in his workshop to learn all about what he does. Curtis specializes in making Windsor chairs in the same way they were made 200 years ago. His chairs are in the permanent collection of the Tennessee State Museum, the Southern Highlands Craft Guild, the Tennessee State Governor’s Mansion and Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. He’s also published numerous articles on chairmaking, has taught the craft to apprentices over the years and in crafts schools, and has dozens of instructional videos on the craft available online for others to learn. Curtis has such a wonderful outlook on life and it was so fun to slow down and speak with him. Today’s show will be a special two part program, tune in next week for the part two.
Today’s Playlist
Rocking Chair on the Moon – Bill Haley and His Comets
Rockin’ Chair – Louis Armstrong, Hoagy Carmichael
I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair – George Jones
Reuben’s Train – Chris Rodrigues and Abby the Spoon Lady
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Curtis Buchanan Website
Charimaking YouTube videos – Curtis Buchanan
Southern Highlands Craft Shows
6/9/2022
Episode #131 “Roses”
https://bocm-od.streamguys1.com/content/MtnSongStory/20220707110232-8549-MountainSongStoryEp.1316922Roses.mp3
Today I’ve got a great program for you all about today’s theme of roses. As with all of the themes I feature on this program, the rose has it’s place in folklore and in music, acting as a symbol of romance, love, and beauty. Flowers can also represent theme of life, growth and rebirth. Today I’ll explore a few popular folktales that feature roses, some Appalachian garden folklore from superstitions to myths, and of course a whole hour of rosy music. So sit back, relax, and get ready to stop and smell the roses.
Today’s Playlist
I Never Promised You A Rose Garden – Lynn Anderson
A Good Year For The Roses – George Jones
Love is a Rose – Linda Ronstadt
The Last Living Rose – PJ Harvey
Rosemary Rose – The Kinks
Roses Are Falling – Orville Peck
Barbara Allen – The Everly Brothers
Mother Rose – Patti Smith
Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses – Kathy Mattea
Ernest Tubb – The Yellow Rose Of Texas
18 Yellow Roses – Bobby Darin
Give My Love To Rose – Johnny Cash
Dead Flowers – Townes Van Zandt
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Folkdays: Rose Lore
Say It With Roses: Folklore Of The Queen Of All Flowers
The Rose in Myths & Legends
Appalachian Garden Folklore :Chad Brock Red Bird Mission
6 Fascinating Facts About Roses That You Probably Didn’t Know
Behind The Song: The Traditional “Barbara Allen”
5/12/2022
Episode #130 “The Crooked Road Radio Hour with Bill Smith”
https://bocm-od.streamguys1.com/content/MtnSongStory/20220707105804-8403-MountainSongStoryEp.13051222TheCrookedRoadRadioHourwithBillSmith.mp3
On this episode of Mountain Song & Story, I’ll speak with with Bill Smith, host of The Crooked Road Radio Hour, another wonderful program here on Radio Bristol! Bill is the former Executive Director of The Crooked Road, a nonprofit organization and a 330 mile driving trail through the mountains of Southwest Virginia that connects nine major venues and over 60 affiliated venues and festivals that visitors can enjoy every day of the year. Bill will be sharing his story his involvement of how the organization got started, along with info about his radio show, life and so much more. You can catch The Crooked Road Radio Hour every Wednesday at 1pm EST on Radio Bristol. Explore the diverse sounds of traditional music in Southwest Virginia through live performances, historic recordings, and oral histories found along the Crooked Road!
Today’s Playlist
Leave The Light On – Chris Smither
Love At The Five And Dime – Nanci Griffith
Can the Circle Be Unbroken – The Carter Family
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
The Crooked Road Radio Hour with Bill Smith
The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail
5/5/2022
Episode #129 “The Tennessee Ukulele Lady: Kelle Jolly”
https://bocm-od.streamguys1.com/content/MtnSongStory/20220725141628-8764-MountainSongStory1295-5-2022KellyJolly.mp3
Today’s Playlist
Broken Hearted Melody – Sarah Vaughan
Too Darn Hot – Ella Fitzgerald
Stormy Weather – Etta James
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Kelle Jolly’s Website
Jazz Jam on WUOT 91.9FM
Ukesphere of Knoxville
Women in Jazz Jam Festival
4/21/2022
Episode #128 “Audio Stories from the Archives of Appalachia”
Once a month on Mountain Song & Story I’ll be featuring some archival audio from the Archives of Appalachia from The Joseph Hall Collection. This collection focuses primarily on Hall’s research of language and folklore of the people living in the Great Smoky Mountains. Tune in on today’s program for another installment of a variety of short stories including folktales, including bear stories and a few ghostly tales told by people living in the mountains recorded by folklorist Joseph Hall in the mid 20th century.
Today’s Playlist
Blue Railroad Train – Delmore Brothers
Billy in the Lowground – Clark Kessinger
Wild Bill Jones – Bruce Hutton
I Believe in the Old Time Way – Ola Belle Reed
Ain’t Gonna Rain No More – Hoyt Ming and the Pep Steppers
Bye Bye Love – Everly Brothers
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
ETSU’s Archives of Appalachia
Joseph Sargent Hall Collection, Archives of Appalachia, East Tennessee State University
4/14/2022
Episode #127 “The Radio Bristol Fund Drive”
Did you know that the Radio Bristol radio station was first thought of as a museum exhibit? It’s since became community radio station and working exhibit broadcasting from inside of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
Today WBCM-LP Radio Bristol is in the middle of the annual Radio Bristol Fund Drive! I’ll be doing a special episode of Mountain Song & Story all about the story and history of how Radio Bristol got started. As part of todays special Fund Drive program, I’ll be sitting down with Radio Bristol’s Kris Truelsen to talk about the story about how Radio Bristol was made possible. If you’re a regular listener or a new listener you might not know the full story and today I’ll sit down with Kris to learn all about it. As Radio Bristol Program Director, Kris directs and shapes programming for the station’s four diverse channels including WBCM-LP, Radio Bristol Classic, Radio Bristol Americana, and Radio Bristol Video.
Today’s Playlist
If You’ve Got The Money I’ve Got The Time – Early Lefty Frizzell
Busted – Ray Charles RAY
Money That’s What I Want – The Beatles
9 to 5 – Dolly Parton
Poor Folks Town – Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton
Too Much Month (At The End Of The Money) – Marty Stuart
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
4/7/2022
Episode #126 “Create Appalachia”
https://bocm-od.streamguys1.com/content/MtnSongStory/20220420110116-8232-MountainSongStoryEp.1264722CreateAppalachia.mp3
Today I’ll be speaking with my guest, Katie Hoffman, Executive Director of Create Appalachia. Create Appalachia strives to make the Appalachian Highlands a better place to live and work by supporting innovation and entrepreneurship centered around the arts, technology, and creativity. They work to sustain an environment that will generate new businesses, provide jobs in art-and-tech-based businesses, and highlight the important role that creativity plays in the region’s economic vitality. I’ll be speaking with Katie all about what Create Appalachia is and all of the great things they are doing for the Appalachia region on today’s episode.
Today’s Playlist
My Home’s Across the Blue Ridge Mountains – Doc Watson
Hello Stranger – The Carter Family
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Episode #125 “Audio Stories from the Archives of Appalachia”
Once a month on Mountain Song & Story I’ll be featuring some archival audio from the Archives of Appalachia from The Joseph Hall Collection. This collection focuses primarily on Hall’s research of language and folklore of the people living in the Great Smoky Mountains. Tune in on today’s program for another installment of a variety of short stories including folktales, haunted places, wolf stories, more.
Today’s Playlist
My Tennessee Mountain Home – Dolly Parton
You Shall Be Free – Bill & Belle Reed
I’ve Endured – Ola Belle Reed
Hard Times – Gillian Welch
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
ETSU’s Archives of Appalachia
Joseph Sargent Hall Collection, Archives of Appalachia, East Tennessee State University
3/3/2022
Episode #124 “Heritage Alliance with Special Guest Anne G’Fellers Mason”
I’ll be speaking with Anne G’Fellers Mason, Executive Director of Heritage Alliance of Northeast Tennessee & Southwest Virginia located in Jonesborough, TN (also nicknamed “Tennessee’s Oldest Town”). The Heritage Alliance is dedicated to the preservation of the architectural, historical, and cultural heritage of our region and to providing educational experiences related to history and heritage for a wide range of audiences. The Heritage Alliance also manages two other historic sites including the Chester Inn State Historic Site & Museum and the Oak Hill School and Heritage Education Program. I’ll be talking with Anne about so many things from what Heritage Alliance does, their programming, why preservation is so important and even how you can get involved in heritage preservation. I’m excited to share our conversation, tune in for a great show!
Today’s Playlist
Tennessee Waltz – Patti Page
Tennessee Homesick Blues – Dolly Parton
Tennessee Song – Margo Price
The Tennessee Stud – Doc Watson
The Jealous Sweetheart – The Johnson Brothers
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Heritage Alliance
Heritage Alliance Facebook
2/24/2022
Episode #123 “Audio Stories from the Archives of Appalachia”
https://bocm-od.streamguys1.com/content/MtnSongStory/20220303100537-8034-MountainSongStoryEp.12322422ArchivesofAppalachiaAudioStories.mp3
Once a month on Mountain Song & Story I’ll be featuring some archival audio from the Archives of Appalachia from The Joseph Hall Collection. This collection focuses primarily on Hall’s research of language and folklore of the people living in the Great Smoky Mountains. It’s really interesting to take a listen back in time to some of oral histories and interviews of people from the early to mid 20th century. Tune in on today’s program for a variety of short stories including folktales, stories of Paul Bunyan’s ram, bear stories, ghost stories and more which were recorded on July 15th 1959 in the home of Lee Webb by Joseph Hall.
Today’s Playlist
Great Speckled Bird – Roy Acuff
Pig In A Pen – Stanley Brothers
Rosewood Casket – Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris
Listening To The Rain – The Osborne Brothers
Are You Washed In The Blood – Ernest Stoneman & The Dixie Mountaineers
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
ETSU’s Archives of Appalachia
Joseph Sargent Hall Collection, Archives of Appalachia, East Tennessee State University
2/17/2022
Episode #122 “GOAT”
What do you really call a mountain goat? A hillbilly. On today’s show, I’m featuring a freaky topic…goats! I’ll be talking about a few weird goat stories including the tale of the Powell Mountain Goat, the Sheepsquash, an Appalachian cryptid, and more including a reading of a Russian fairy tale called “The Goat and The Ram”. I promise you today’s show won’t be too baaaad.
Today’s Playlist
Goat Annie – Carol King
Fair Swiss Maiden -Roger Miller
The Matterhorn – Country Gentleman
Arizona Yodeler – DeZurik Sisters
High on the Moutain Top – Ola Belle Reed
Yodeling Cowboy – Jimmie Rodgers
Climbing Up the Mountain – Don Gibson
High On A Mountain Top – Loretta Lynn
Oh Yes I’d Climb (The Highest Mountain Just For You) – Pete Seeger
Goat Rodeo – Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
The Legendary Powell Mountain Goat
The Goatman
Sheepsquatch
The Goat and The Ram
2/10/2022
Episode #121 “Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia”
Today I’ll be speaking with Walter Jenny Jr. President of the Historical Society of Washington County, VA. Located in downtown Abingdon, Virginia and founded in 1936, the Society has grown from a small collection housed in founders’ homes into one of the finest small historical and genealogical research facilities in Virginia. Tune in for a great discussion on what this organization does and more, including the story of the preservation efforts of moving the historic Hiram Dooley house across the street last year.
Today’s Playlist
Carry Me Back to Old Virginia – Jerry Lee Lewis
The Old Home – The Stanley Brothers
East Virginia Blues – Carter Family
Oh, Virginia – Marty Robbins
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia
Historic Dooley House moved from original location in Abingdon
1/27/2022
Episode #120 “Eagles”
Today I’ll be featuring a program about eagles and talking all about some local eagle viewing cameras. Here in the Tri Cities, we have several eagle wildlife viewing cameras in the area including the ETSU Eagle and Johnson City eagle cams. These cameras are meant to for viewers and the public to to share, learn, and communicate about native Bald Eagles. I’ll be talking with BCMM volunteer and ETSU eagle cam volunteer Mary Geiger who will be joining me to talk about animal advocacy, viewing native wildlife and more ways that you can get involved by volunteering.
Today’s Playlist
The Eagle and Me – Lena Horne
Eagle When She Flies – Dolly Parton
Chicken and The Hawk – Big Joe Turner
I’ll Fly Away – Ralph Stanley
Silver Eagle – George Jones, Merle Haggard
Love the One You’re With – Crosby, Stills & Nash
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
ETSU Eagle Cam Information
Eagle Resources – Elfruler
ETSU Eagle Cam Facebook
ETSU Eagle Cam YouTube
1/20/2022
Episode #119 “Tunnels”
Today, I’ll be featuring a variety of stories about tunnels, starting with the story of the Sensabaugh Tunnel in Kingsport Tennessee, an allegedly very haunted local tunnel! I’ll also be checking out the story the Bee Rock Troll. Back in the days when railroads were being installed, sightings of this small grotesque creature were often seen in the tunnel cut through rock formations between the towns of Appalachia and Big Stone Gap Virginia. I’ll also be featuring a few more stories about some creepy tunnels including a reading of the tale “Broadtree Tunnel” from the book, the Telltale Lilac Bush by Ruth Ann Music which is one of my favorite regional resources of short folktales.
Today’s Playlist
Tunnel of Love – Doris Day
There a Light at the End of the Tunnel – Keith Whitley
Funnel Of Love – Wanda Jackson
Love, Love, Love Me Honey Do – Patsy Cline
Big Mama’s Bumble Bee Blues – Big Mama Thornton
I Got Stung – Elvis Presley
Honey Bee – Muddy Waters
Mystery Train – Elvis Presley
Irene Kelley – Coal Train
Train on the Island – Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard
Rocky Island – Ralph Stanley
Rock-A-Bye Boogie – Davis Sisters
Rocky Mountain – Bruce Molsky
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Bee Rock Troll
The Tale of the Troll
Mountain Lore – The Bee Rock Troll
Sensabaugh Tunnel
Kingsport Public Library Archives
1/13/2022
Episode #118 “Skunk Stories”
Today, I’ll be turning up the funk and talking about skunks. Skunks are not only odor-able, but talking about them just makes scents… Skunks are native to the Appalachian region, and there more than a few tales about them. Today on the program I’ll be featuring a story called Why The Skunk Walks Alone along with some Native American mythology about these critters. I’ll even be looking into stories about the mysterious Skunk Ape, a bigfoot like creature who resides in Florida. Today’s show does not stink!
Today’s Playlist
Dead Skunk – Loudon Wainwright, III
The Skunk Song – Cab Calloway
Skunk Hollow Blues – Duke Ellington
Skunk Hollow Rag – Tom Brier
Ole Slew Foot – Jim and Jesse
Footprints In The Snow – Roger Miller
Big Foot – Osey Helton
Hey Hey We’re The Monkees – The Monkees
Harry The Hairy Ape – Ray Stevens
There’s a Snake in the House – Del McCoury
The Skunk, the Goose, and the Fly – Tower Of Power
Black And White – Three Dog Night
Monkey In The Dog Cart – Jim Herd
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Why The Skunk Walks Alone
Native American Skunk Mythology
The Fox and The Skunk
Fun Facts About Skunks
Skunk Symbolism Facts & Meaning: A Totem, Spirit & Power Animal
The Florida Skunk Ape
12/2/2021
Episode #117 “The Baba Yaga“
Today, I’ll be talking about some stories from Slavic or Russian folklore, specifically some stories about the Baba Yaga. What is the Baba Yaga? Well, she’s a mistress of magic, a supernatural old witch. She lives in a hut usually described as standing on chicken legs. I’ll be featuring a few folktale readings about the Baba Yaga today from the book Russian Fairy Tales by Alexander Afanasyev including “Baba Yaga and The Brave Youth” and “Baba Yaga”. In honor of old age, today’s show will feature some old age inspired music as part of today’s playlist.
Today’s Playlist
Wild Witch Lady – Donovan
Crow Black Chicken – The New Lost City Ramblers
The Witch Queen of New Orleans – Redbone
A Chicken Can Waltz the Gravy Around – Stovepipe No 1, David Crockett
The Old Man And The Old Woman – Don Messer
Old And In The Way – Hazel Dickens
A Woman Half My Age – Kitty Wells
Hello Grandma – Lyle Lovett
Old Lady & The Devil – Bill & Belle Reed
I’ve Aged 20 Years In 5 – George Jones
Old Man at the Mill – The Dillards
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane – Norman Blake
Old Salty Dog Blues – Flatt and Scruggs
Ugly & Slouchy – The Maddox Brothers
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Russian Fairy Tales Book
The Enduring Allure of Baba Yaga
10/28/2021
Episode #116 “Halloween Stories – Part Two”
Today is part two of our Halloween show specials for this year. I’ll be talking about Mummies in Appalachian (yes would you believe it) along with more Halloween stories, including a reading of Ghosts and Spirts written and performed by West Virginia Storyteller Mack Samples. I’ll also be featuring a reading of “As Light Fades” by Kristin Pearson from the book Haints and Hollers: New Ghost Tales from Appalachia.
Today’s Playlist
Keep Them Cold Icy Fingers Off Of Me – The Stanley Brothers
Old Bangum – JP Harris
Black Cat, Hoot Owl Blues – Ma Rainey
The Beast In Me – Johnny Cash
Graveyard Blues – Roscoe Holcomb
The Phantom Stagecoach – Vaughn Monroe
Haunted House – Gene Simmons
Ghost Trains – Hank Snow
The Unquiet Grave – Hedy West
Bubba Hyde – Diamond Rio
Wild Dogs – Colter Wall
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Spooky Scary Tales: Inside Haunted Appalachia
Philippi Mummies
The Mummies of Philippi – Paranormal W.Va.
The Devils Tea Tables, West Virginia Ghost Stories and Other Tales by Mack Samples
Haints & Hollers: New Ghost Tales from Appalachia
Mack Samples
10/21/2021
Episode #115 “Halloween Stories – Part One”
I’ve got a fantastic episode ready to go for you with it being October WHICH MEANS Halloween is right around the corner! Today on Mountain Song and Story is part one of two shows devoted entirely to spooky Halloween stories, music and more. Today’s program will feature a tale about “The Smith and The Devil” which some researched have traced the origins of the story dating back to over 6,000 years ago (wow). Along with spooky tunes and tales, I’ll also be featuring a story called “Banshee” by OT Watts – thank you so much for sending in your story. I’ll also have audio from a haint tale from ETSU’s Archives of Appalachia as part of today’s program.
Today’s Playlist
Take the Devil Out of Me – George Jones
Me and the Devil Blues – Robert Johnson
Old Lady and the Devil – The Tillers
The Owl And I – Hank Snow
Night Owl – James Taylor
Nice To Be Here – The Moody Blues
Katy Dear – The Louvin Brothers
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Ghosts, Haunts, Witches, and Boogers – Historic Recordings East Tennessee State University, Archives of Appalachia
Fairy Tale Origins Thousands of Years Old
The Smith and The Devil
Special Thanks to OT Watts for his story and reading of “Banshee”
9/30/2021
Episode #114 “Birthday Folklore”
Today, I’ll be talking about birthday folklore! Welcome to the party. This episode will get started with some weird birthday myths and superstitions, and I’ll be talking about the origins of one of the worlds most known songs, “Happy Birthday”. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Happy Birthday is the most frequently sung song in the English language. The world’s most popular songs was written by Louisville sisters Patty and Mildred Hill in the 1890s. The pair were two school teachers who wrote a song called “Good Morning To All”. but the lyrics were eventually changed to “Happy Birthday”. I’ll dive into the story of how these women lost the copywrite to the original song. So kick back and relax with me for a full hour or birthday celebrations and more!
Today’s Playlist
Birthday – The Beatles
It’s My Party – Lesley Gore
Happy Birthday (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year) – Loretta Lynn
Happy Birthday – Stevie Wonder
Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay – Otis Redding
Lazy Day – Carter Sisters
Relaxation – John R. Miller
Ernest Tubb – Waltz Across Texas
Sweet Dreams (Of You) – Patsy Cline
Wasting Time – Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Well I Guess I Told You Off – Mother Maybelle & The Carter Sisters
Take This Job And Shove It – Johnny Paycheck
Working Girl Blues – Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard
Put It Off Until Tomorrow – Dolly Parton
Roger Miller – Whistle Stop
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
5 Weird Historical Myths About Birthdays
10 Wacky Birthday Superstitions
How Did The Tradition of Birthdays Begin?
Who really wrote the ‘Happy Birthday’ song?
9/23/2021
Episode #113 “Mussels”
Today, I’ll be talking about mussels. Specifically freshwater mussels! The Clinch River right here in SWVA has the most diverse eco system of freshwater filtering mussels in the entire world. I’ll be playing music about mollusks the whole hour (can we do it? Yes we clam). Today’s program will also feature a great story about the Irish Ballad of Molly Malone, who was a fishmonger who turns into a Ghost.
Today’s Playlist
Do The Clam – Elvis Presley
All Of My Cryin’ – Shannon & The Clams
Acres of Clams – Makem and Spain, Bill Staines
Molly Malone (Cockles and Mussels) – The Dubliners
Big Strong Man – Wolfe Tones
John Henry – Tennessee Ernie Ford
Mama Tried – Merle Haggard
Stand By Your Man – Tammy Wynette
Just Because I’m a Woman – Dolly Parton
Woman Walk The Line – Emmylou Harris
I Didn’t Know My Own Strength – Lorrie Morgan
Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire – Joni Mitchell
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
The timeless tragedy of Molly Malone
Did You Know: “A Whole Other World” in Southwest Virginia’s Rivers
A freshwater mussel apocalypse is underway—and no one knows why
Freshwater Mussel Restoration
9/2/2021
Episode #112 “Young Appalachian Story Summit”
Th upcoming Young Appalachian Story Summit is scheduled for September 12th, 2021 at the International Storytelling Center. The Summit is a young adult-led event that focuses on a critical issue: how young adults can use storytelling as a leadership tool to create Appalachia’s future. Today I’ll be talking with Stella Childress and Lynnes Salinas from the ISC to learn more about this important event.
Today’s Playlist
Firewater – Amythyst Kiah
The Last Thing On My Mind – Tom Paxton
Growing Pains – Mike And The Moonpies
Pretty Fair Maid In The Garden – Tim O’Brien
Do I Ever Cross Your Mind – Red Molly
Grey Owl & Victor’s No. 39 – Bruce Molsky
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
International Storytelling Center
Special thanks to Stella Childress, Lynnea Salina, and the International Storytelling Center
8/26/2021
Episode #111 “Motors”
Did you know that it wasn’t gasoline—but moonshine—that fueled the growth of stock car racing in Appalachia and led to the rise of NASCAR? I’ll be diving into this story and more right here on today’s episode of Mountain Song and Story along with the most fitting music to go along with out theme. Buckle up!
Today’s Playlist
Motor’s Fried – John R. Miller
My Old Chevy Van – Melissa Carper
Half Ton Van – John R. Miller
Johnny Cash – One Piece at a Time
Long Ride Home – Patty Griffin
King Of The Road – Roger Miller
The Corvette Song –George Jones
Bus Route – Tyler Childers
From a Buick 6 – Bob Dylan
Lord Mr. Ford – Jerry Reed
Hot Rod Lincoln – Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen
Woody Guthrie – Riding in My Car (Car Song)
Driving My Life Away – Eddie Rabbit
Panhead – Otis Gibbs
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Bristol Motor Speedway Media Guide
How to Prohibition Gave Birth to Nascar
From Moonshine to NASCAR: How The Prohibition Lead to Stock Car Racing
8/19/2021
Episode #110 “Cows”
Today, we’re talking about cows, and the steaks are high. Many images of cattle show up in folklore stories, like that of the bull, or the ox. Probably the most famous ox would have to be Paul Bunyons Big Blue Ox named Babe. Today, I’ll be talking about some of these Paul Bunyon stories and more, including some cowboy ballads along with a whole hour of cow related songs inspired by today’s topic. Moo.
Today’s Playlist
Cows Around – Corb Lund
Cow Cow Boogie – Ella Fitzgerald
Milk Bucket Boogie – Red Foley
Milk Cow Blues – Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys
I’m an Old Cowhand – Roy Rogers
Night Herding Song – Colter Wall
The Dying Cowboy – Cisco Houston
Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow up to Be Cowboys – Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson
The Cows Came Home – Joe Diffie
Big Ball’s In Cowtown – Bob Willis
Cattle Call – Eddy Arnold
Milkcow’s Calf Blues – Robert Johnson (talk, story)
Restless Cattle – Marty Robbins (ending song)
Tune the Old Cow Died On – John Kirk and Friends
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Folk Music of the United States: Cowboy Songs, Ballads, and Cattle Calls from Texas
How Now Brown Cow? Folklore Thursday
Ox, cow and bull in folklore imagery and tales
Babe the Blue Ox
8/5/2021
Episode #109 “Ian Kirkpatrick & Sheila Kay Adams Mentor – Apprenticeship”
Today on Mountain Song and Story, I’ll be featuring a wonderful conversation with Ian Kirkpatrick and Sheila Kay Adams. They’ll be joining me to talk about their experience as part of a mentor apprentice team through the Folk and Traditional Arts Cross-Border Mentor Apprenticeship program from South Arts. They’ll be talking about their mentor and apprenticeship experiences which focused on Ballad singing in Appalachia, a tradition that goes back to the earliest Scottish and English settlers to the area. Tune in for a great conversation and of course music!
Today’s Playlist
Devil’s Nine Questions – Elizabeth LaPrelle
Knoxville Girl – Ian Kirkpatrick
Barbary Allen – Sheila Kay Adams
George Collins – Ian Kirkpatrick
Jubilee – Jean Ritchie
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Special thanks to Sheila Kay Adams and Ian Kirkpatrick
Folk & Traditional Arts Cross-Border Mentor-Apprentice Program – South Arts
Grand Divide
Sheila Kay Adams and Ian Kirkpatrick
7/29/2021
Episode #108 “Bees”
Today on Mountain Song and Story, I’ll be buzzing about and talking bees! Did you know that according to some folklore, it was bad luck to buy or sell hives, because when you sell one, you sell your luck with your bees? Bees were much better given as gifts. It’s also said that if bees flew into a house, a stranger would soon call (or buzz). I’ve got more bee folklore stories from across the globe today here on the program, including a bit about the stories of “the telling of the bees” along with a playlist of all things honey!
Today’s Playlist
Honey, Honey – The Milk Carton Kids
Honey Open That Door – Ricky Skaggs
Dying To Make a Living – The Local Honeys
True Fine Mama – Little Richard
So Long Honeybee, Goodbye – Pokey Lafarge & the South City Three
Honey You Don’t Know My Mind – Jimmy Martin
Loneliest Songs – The Honey Dewdrops
Honey Don’t – Carl Perkins
Honey In The Rock – Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys
Queen Bee – Taj Mahal
Honey & The Bees – Baby, Do That Thing
The Bee Song – Arthur Askey
Long Monday – John Prine
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
The Sacred Bee: Ancient Egypt
Bee Folklore for the Darkest of Days
The Adorable Custom of ‘Telling The Bees’
Folklore of the Bees
7/22/2021
Episode #107 “Wedding Folklore”
Today’s Playlist
Wedding Bell Chimes – Bill and the Belles
The Right Left Hand – George Jones
Wedding Bells/Let’s Turn Back the Years – John Prine and Lucinda Williams
Magnolia Wind – Guy Clark
Candy – Dave Rawlings Machine
I’d Have to Be Crazy – Willie Nelson
When You Say Nothing at All – Keith Whitley
Wedding Bell Blues – 5th Dimension
If I Needed You – Townes Van Zant
Rockin’ Years – Ricky Van Shelton & Dolly Parton
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Bride Tests in Folktales
Wedding Folklore, The Old Farmers Almanac
Origins of the Corpse Bride Story
Wedding Traditions, Myths and Facts Uncovered
50 Wedding Traditions and Superstitions
Special thanks to KT Vandyke – Story Segment Reading
7/15/2021
Episode #106 “Record Collecting with Special Guest Lonnie Salyer”
On today’s episode of Mountain Song and Story, I’ll be talking with another Radio Bristol DJ, Lonnie Salyer! If you’re an avid Radio Bristol listener you’ll know that Lonnie has a program right here on the station called Diggin’ with Big Lon that air every Thursday at 5pm. The program discovers the rich musical heritage of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia and features music from Lonnie’s record collection of found local 45rpm and 78rpm records. On this episode you’ll hear more about Lonnie’s story including how his passion for record collecting all got started, stories of finding local records, plus some great local music!
Today’s Playlist
Milk Bucket Boogie – Reece Shipley and the Rainbow Valley Boys
Kenny Springs and the Scat Cats – Let Nobody Love You
Continuous Action – The Starlites
The Bottle Keeps Me Goin’ – Art Hall
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Special thanks to Lonnie Salyer
Big Lon’s Crateful Dig
7/8/2021
Episode #105 “Grandfather Mountain Highland Games”
On last week’s program, we talked about Scottish dancing, music, and history with my guest Jennifer Licko, and today I’ve got some more Scottish History lined up! Today I’m talking with Stephen Quillin, current President of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. He’ll be joining me to talk more about this annual event. Scottish highland games are celebrated in many countries across the globe, not just in Europe but also right here in Appalachia. They act as a way to connect people to their roots and are a celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture, especially that of the Scottish Highlands. Tune in for a great conversation, music and more!
Today’s Playlist
The Oak Table – EJ Jones
Deep Salt Sea – Emerald Rae
The Generator – Will MacMorran
Hello Stranger – The Carter Family
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Special thanks to Stephen Quillin
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
7/1/2021
Episode #104 “Scottish History with Special Guest Jennifer Licko”
On today’s episode of Mountain Song and Story, I’ll be talking with my guest Jennifer Licko. Jennifer is a former Scottish Highland dancer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who plays the piano, guitar, and bodhrán (Irish drum), and an educator. After living almost a decade in Scotland and Ireland, Jennifer realized the strong similarities between Scotland and North Carolina and her music began to branch out into a genre which honors those connections. Today I’ll be speaking with her to talk about the music and dance connections and more between Appalachia and Scotland.
Today’s Playlist
Puirt a beul (Mouth Music) – Jennifer Licko
The Farmer’s Curst Wife – Pete Seeger
He Na Milibhig – Jennifer Licko
We Are Your Home – Jennifer Licko
Barbara Allen – The Everly Brothers
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Special Thanks to Jennifer Licko
Scotland In The Class
Visit Scotland
Jennifer Licko
Highland Echoes
6/24/2021
Episode #103 “Stones”
On today’s episode of Mountain Song and Story, I’ll be talking about the mysterious story of the Grafton Monster, an Appalachian bigfoot-like creature with sightings first seen in the late 1960s near the town of Grafton, West Virginia. The headless creature is sometimes known to have the likeness and look of a large boulder, so in honor of this story, today’s theme is rocks and stones and I’ll be playing songs and reading more stories relating to stone. From Medusa to Poseidon, folklore is full of stories of folks being petrified and turning into stone, I’ll look into a few of these myths and more on today’s program.
Today’s Playlist
Steppin’ Stones – Jimmy Martin
Dying Girl’s Farewell – Earnest Stoneman, Kahle Brewer, Walter Mooney
Big Jet Plane – Angus and Julia Stone
(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone – The Monkees
Waterloo – Stonewall Jackson
The Sinking Of The Titanic – The Stoneman Family
Ruby – Ronnie Stoneman
House of Stone – Mandolin Orange
Like a Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan
The Rolling Stones – Under My Thumb
Rock The Cradle Joe – Adam Steffey
Intro and theme music Omie Wise (feat. Kalia Yeagle) by Hasee Ciaccio
Background instrumental music by Brittany Haas, Produced by Darol Anger. All traditional old-time tunes. 2004.
Resources and Additional Materials
Special Thanks to the Grafton Monster Facebook Page
Meet the top five monsters from the West Virginia hills
June 16 marks anniversary of Grafton Monster sightings
Petrification in Mythology
_________________________________________________
*Due to a recent website update, blog posts prior to 6/24/2021 have yet to be recovered. Please check back on this page for updates.