Born in the Mountain

There's a little radio station in Mount Airy, North Carolina that signed on in February of 1948 with a promise to preserve and promote the music of the Blue Ridge. 76 years later they're still at it.

The Martin Family of Mill Creek in Smyth County, Virginia have a love for singing in the old-time unaccompanied, close harmony style that only a family can create. Mabel Martin and her seven daughters, Peggy, Helen, Eula, Jean, Elaine, Debbie, and Tammy filled their home and community with song. In 1999 they went into the studio and made a recording, just for the family, as a way of preserving the music their mother had spent a lifetime sharing. And on January 18, 2024 Elaine and son Bryan Martin and Doug Pote spent a couple hours in the studio sharing those recording and family stories with me. This is a very special show and we hope you'll enjoy listening. www.borninthemountain.com

Live from under the Big Yella Tent at the 85th annual Galax Old Fiddlers Convention, today's show is real old-time radio in the old-time way. This show features live recordings of Nancy Sluys, Tom Mindte, Fiddlin' Willie, Richard Bowman, Daniel Greeson and more.

Celebrating the life and music of the great Jimmie Rodgers on the anniversary of his death, May 26, 1933. Though only 35 when he succumbed to tuberculosis, Jimmie Rodgers was the original country music superstar recording over 100 sides for Victor Records.

Join Ivy Sheppard for another hour of good old-time and bluegrass music. This week things get pretty wound up with George Pegram, the Roan Mountain Hilltoppers, Charlie Jordan, and more. Hold onto your hats and come along for the ride.

In this week's episode we visit the North Carolina Folk Festival and listen to Ernest East and the Pine Ridge Boys and Patsy live on stage as well as get in a good dose of old-time country music.

It's an Easter edition of Born in the Mountain, featuring Gene Autry, Joe Werner, the original Carter Family, and lots more to brighten up any Spring day.