Foolin' Around with Lightnin' Wells

Lightnin’ Wells debuts eight of the first tracks he ever recorded, using a two-track reel-to-reel recorder in his bedroom in 1969-70, and discusses them with co-host Silas Albright. Check out Young Lightnin' Part One for a deep dive into Lightnin's upbringing and early musical interests and influences. Young Lightnin’ photo gallery(0:00) Variations on Three Blind Mice (clip)(0:48) Intro(5:37) Summertime(8:50) I Shall Not Be Moved(12:52) Under The Double Eagle(16:15) Fishin’ Blues(20:52) Dust My Broom(24:37) Beaumont Rag(28:05) Instrumental (Based on Maui Chimes)(31:15) Variations on Three Blind Mice (full)(35:12) Outro

Lightnin’ Wells details his childhood and early musical influences and interests with co-host Silas Albright. Lightnin’s sister, Cindy, stops by for an insightful conversation. Plus enjoy a taste of a couple early Lightnin' recordings: Fishin' Blues (0:00) and (52:44) and This Land is Your Land (15:04). Check out Young Lightnin' Part Two to hear eight of the first tracks he ever recorded available exclusively on the Foolin' Around Podcast. Young Lightnin’ photo gallery(0:00) Fishin’ Blues clip(0:53) Intro(3:13) Lightnin’ on Lightnin’(15:04) Lightnin’ plays This Land is Your Land clip at Boy Scouts rally(33:01) Conversation with Lightnin’s sister, Cindy(51:49) Outro(52:35) Fishin’ Blues kazoo break

Frank Greathouse joins old friend Lightnin' Wells and host Silas Albright to discuss his journey. Frank co-founded the New Deal String Band, an influential long-haired bluegrass band out of North Carolina in the late 1960s who paved the way for the Newgrass style.After Frank dropped off a record at Fillmore East when he was passing through for Woodstock, the New Deal String Band landed a gig at the iconic NYC venue in December of 1969, which led to a great review in Billboard Magazine and a major record deal with Sire. The band released an album, traveled nationally and became a regular act at Carlton Haney's legendary bluegrass festivals. At one of those festivals in Camp Springs, NC, Bill Monroe joined New Deal on stage for a performance. Frank and the Father of Bluegrass played mandolin together on Dusty Miller. Later, Frank befriended bluesman George Herbert Moore and traveled around playing gigs with different groups and as a solo performer. He ran a waterfront music venue in Wilmington, NC, and successful music shops in Florida. Songs included in episode:0:00: One More Night - New Deal String Band19:44: Dusty Miller - New Deal String Band45:42: O Lordy Mama - George Herbert Moore1:00:31: Black Girl - Frank Greathouse featuring Leroy Savage1:08:03: What Did I Do? - Frank GreathouseLinks:-Video of New Deal String Band playing Love Potion No. 9 at Camp Springs in 1971 -The contract between the Fillmore East and the New Deal String Band for their concert Dec. 2, 1969 in a Facebook post-Audio of New Deal playing One More Night, Memories of Mother & Dad, Prisoner's Songs-Audio (49 minutes worth) of New Deal playing Camp Springs in 1971-Burgaw Blues video of George Herbert Moore, with Frank introducing him and Lightnin' playing harmonica with him -Frank plays an original tune, Sack Full O'Possum, at the Florida Seafood Festival

Lightnin' Wells has showcased his deep repertoire of historic music for decades. In our pilot episode, we're focused on his ukuleles.Lightnin' shares some narrative and history on the instrument and dives deeper into several of the tracks from his latest release, an all ukulele compilation called Foolin' Around.Stick around after the conversation for a taste of the album-- Lightnin' plays the title song Foolin' Around live in our makeshift studio on his back porch.Links:-Buy Lightnin's ukulele album-Photo gallery of complementary images from Lightnin's collection3:27: Profile on Lightnin's friend, Del Rey. She mentions Lightnin' and describes Sandy Hines' influence. Hines is also quoted.5:52: Profile on May Singhi Breen, 'The Ukulele Lady'16:54: YouTube video of Lightnin' playing Cryin' for the Carolines at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, WV17:54: Animated music video from 1930 of Cryin' for the Carolines played by organist Milton Charles20:45: Never Swat a Fly performance by Frank Albertson and Marjorie White Just Imagine (1930)21:13: Video of Lightnin' playing Somewhere Over the Rainbow in Port Townsend, WA21:43: Music video of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel 'IZ' KamakawiwoʻoleCover photo by Rylan Puckett