Farm and Fun Time was back at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s Performance Theater on October 18th with another exciting installment. We had a blast at the Paramount Center for the Arts during Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion in September, but there’s no place like home! Thanks to our sponsor Eastman Credit Union, Radio Bristol was able to bring Farm and Fun Time to not only those in the audience or tuned in to WBCM-LP, but to viewers far and wide via Facebook Live. Be sure to like WBCM – Radio Bristol on Facebook to tune in every month!
Host band Bill and the Belles kicked the show off with their unique blend of harmonies, which have become a staple on the Farm and Fun Time stage. The “Heirloom Recipe” segment was presented by Radio Bristol’s own Bailey George, host of “The Honky Tonk Hit Parade,” who informed the audience of the one food that has always been there for him: Armour Potted Meat. Bailey was introduced to potted meat at an early age by his grandfather, who was always willing to share a can or some good advice. A recipe does not have to be difficult to prepare or contain several (labeled) ingredients to be culturally significant. Instead, what matters is the ones with whom we share the food and the bonds that are created over a shared meal. After delivering this heartfelt story, Bailey picked up his guitar and sang “The Potted Meat Boogie” with Bill and The Belles.
Our first featured musical guest was The Barefoot Movement. Though the band is based in Nashville, Tennessee, The Barefoot Movement has roots right here in East Tennessee, where fiddler and singer Noah Wall attended East Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass, Old Time and Country Music Studies program. Performing their brand of laidback, down-home, traditional music, The Barefoot Movement kicked off their shoes and stayed a while. From rip-roaring barn burners to powerful ballads, the band put on a dynamic show that blended soulful singing and incredible musicianship.
For this month’s “ASD Farm Report,” we visited Ridge and Valley Farms in Lebanon, Virginia. Andrew Gilmer works tirelessly to conserve land that has been in his family since the 1700s, and the farm produces some of the finest beef in the region. Here’s a video from our visit:
Wrapping up the evening’s show was a riveting performance by the Quebe Sisters. Hailing from the great fiddling state of Texas, these ladies are no strangers to Bristol, having played Bristol Rhythm twice. From Kenny Baker’s “Bluegrass in the Backwoods” to Western swing and jazz standards such as “Yearning” and “It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie,” they fiddled their way across the full spectrum of roots music in a style all their own. With an incomparable rhythm section and their dazzling three-part harmonies, both vocal and fiddle, the Quebe Sisters put on a show that won’t soon be forgotten by the Farm and Fun Time audience – they really must be seen to be believed!
Thanks to everyone who came out and made this a wonderful evening of fun and music! There are still a few tickets left for November’s Farm and Fun Time. Be a part of our live audience and experience high energy old-time and bluegrass music from Five Mile Mountain Road and Blue Highway.