Ozark Highlands Radio

This week, OHR celebrates the singularly American musical art form, Jazz, with a mélange of both regional and nationally renowned artists recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with these melodious mavens. The uniquely blended culture of America has produced some of the world’s most notable modern musical genres. Not the least of these is jazz. Growing from its roots in African-American blues music, jazz in its many forms dominated American popular music of the first half of the 20th Century. Featured on this episode of Ozark Highlands Radio are: A.J. Croce, jazz pianist, singer, songwriter and son of famed American singer-songwriter Jim Croce; powerhouse jazz and Texas swing trio The Quebe Sisters; talented Arkansas family group The Clark Family Trio; Ozark original singer and guitarist Denise Lanuti with her band Mighty Fine Time; multi-instrumentalist and featured artist on PBS’ American Epic, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton; inimitable time traveling San Francisco ragtime duo Me

This week, Ozark original all girl old-time string band sensation the Ozark Granny Chicks recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with these seasoned sirens. The Ozark Granny Chicks are an old-time string band quartet comprising Kay Thomas on mountain dulcimer, fiddle and vocals, Tara Ludwig on clawhammer banjo and vocals, Pam Setser on mountain dulcimer, guitar, spoons and vocals, and Crystal McCool on upright acoustic bass, fiddle and vocals. Specializing in traditional Ozark folk music, these ladies bring superb mountain harmonies and mastery of a variety of acoustic stringed instruments. Their laid back style is evocative of gentler days, when Ozark folks gathered for what were called “pickins” where they could socialize, dance, and listen to local musicians “pick.” Let the granny’s music transport you to the old Ozarks for a toe tapping down home good time. In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark J

This week, Ozark original all girl old-time string band sensation the Ozark Granny Chicks recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with these seasoned sirens. The Ozark Granny Chicks are an old-time string band quartet comprising Kay Thomas on mountain dulcimer, fiddle and vocals, Tara Ludwig on clawhammer banjo and vocals, Pam Setser on mountain dulcimer, guitar, spoons and vocals, and Crystal McCool on upright acoustic bass, fiddle and vocals. Specializing in traditional Ozark folk music, these ladies bring superb mountain harmonies and mastery of a variety of acoustic stringed instruments. Their laid back style is evocative of gentler days, when Ozark folks gathered for what were called “pickins” where they could socialize, dance, and listen to local musicians “pick.” Let the granny’s music transport you to the old Ozarks for a toe tapping down home good time. In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark J

This week, Colorado old-time and progressive bluegrass singer-songwriter duo Lizzy Plotkin and Natalie Spears recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with these promising new artists. “Lizzy Plotkin and Natalie Spears revel in the endless groove of Appalachian fiddle/banjo duets, funky blues bass lines, and soulful harmony singing. Their original compositions and reverent interpretations of old-time and bluegrass standards draw from a rich history of listening and learning from great American music of the past. They have appeared on the stages of The John Hartford Memorial Festival, Jammin at Hippie Jack’s, BlackPot Festival, Swallow Hill, Steve’s Guitar’s, The Jalopy Theatre, and can be seen touring around their homes on the Western Slope of Colorado and beyond.” https://www.lizzyandnatalie.com/about “Natalie’s original compositions are a home-grown recipe of honest lyricism, soulful melodies, and placed-based inspiration. Drawing on the roots of Americana, including Old time a

This week, Colorado old-time and progressive bluegrass singer-songwriter duo Lizzy Plotkin and Natalie Spears recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with these promising new artists. “Lizzy Plotkin and Natalie Spears revel in the endless groove of Appalachian fiddle/banjo duets, funky blues bass lines, and soulful harmony singing. Their original compositions and reverent interpretations of old-time and bluegrass standards draw from a rich history of listening and learning from great American music of the past. They have appeared on the stages of The John Hartford Memorial Festival, Jammin at Hippie Jack’s, BlackPot Festival, Swallow Hill, Steve’s Guitar’s, The Jalopy Theatre, and can be seen touring around their homes on the Western Slope of Colorado and beyond.” https://www.lizzyandnatalie.com/about “Natalie’s original compositions are a home-grown recipe of honest lyricism, soulful melodies, and placed-based inspiration. Drawing on the roots of Americana, including Old time a

This week, international multi-award winning Toronto, Canada guerrilla-folk ensemble The Lemon Bucket Orkestra recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with Mark Marczyk, founding member of this genre-bending super-band. “Lemon Bucket Orkestra are Toronto's original guerrilla-folk party-punk massive. The multi-award-winning ensemble has been heralded as a groundbreaking, genre-bending phenomenon by media and fans alike, and over the past 8 years have performed all over the world from WOMAD in New Zealand and Pohoda in Slovakia, to Festival D’Été in Québec City, and Luminato in Toronto. The Guardian proclaimed that their performances are ‘gorgeously sung and passionately played’ and The New York Times declared them ‘charismatic...handsome and ambitious.’ “Equal parts exhilarating precision and reckless abandon, LBO’s live shows are a truly immersive experience - ranging from the ecstatic to the cathartic and all points in between - and they have expertly captured that unique blend of

This week, international multi-award winning Toronto, Canada guerrilla-folk ensemble The Lemon Bucket Orkestra recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with Mark Marczyk, founding member of this genre-bending super-band. “Lemon Bucket Orkestra are Toronto's original guerrilla-folk party-punk massive. The multi-award-winning ensemble has been heralded as a groundbreaking, genre-bending phenomenon by media and fans alike, and over the past 8 years have performed all over the world from WOMAD in New Zealand and Pohoda in Slovakia, to Festival D’Été in Québec City, and Luminato in Toronto. The Guardian proclaimed that their performances are ‘gorgeously sung and passionately played’ and The New York Times declared them ‘charismatic...handsome and ambitious.’ “Equal parts exhilarating precision and reckless abandon, LBO’s live shows are a truly immersive experience - ranging from the ecstatic to the cathartic and all points in between - and they have expertly captured that unique blend of

This week, award winning Baltimore, Maryland Old-time and progressive Bluegrass sensation The Ken & Brad Kolodner Quartet recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with this musical father and son. “The dynamic father-son team Ken & Brad Kolodner weave together a captivating soundscape on hammered dulcimer and clawhammer banjo blurring the lines of Old-Time, Bluegrass and American Roots music. Regarded as one of the most influential hammered dulcimer players in North America, Baltimore’s Ken Kolodner has joined forces with his son Brad Kolodner, a renowned clawhammer banjo player. They've sculpted their own brand of driving, innovative, tasteful acoustic roots music with a ‘creative curiosity that lets all listeners know that a passion for traditional music yet thrives in every generation.’ The hypnotizing groove of the percussive hammered dulcimer and rhythmic clawhammer banjo is the core of their sound. They are joined by bassist Alex Lacquement who loc

This week, award winning Baltimore, Maryland Old-time and progressive Bluegrass sensation The Ken & Brad Kolodner Quartet recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with this musical father and son. “The dynamic father-son team Ken & Brad Kolodner weave together a captivating soundscape on hammered dulcimer and clawhammer banjo blurring the lines of Old-Time, Bluegrass and American Roots music. Regarded as one of the most influential hammered dulcimer players in North America, Baltimore’s Ken Kolodner has joined forces with his son Brad Kolodner, a renowned clawhammer banjo player. They've sculpted their own brand of driving, innovative, tasteful acoustic roots music with a ‘creative curiosity that lets all listeners know that a passion for traditional music yet thrives in every generation.’ The hypnotizing groove of the percussive hammered dulcimer and rhythmic clawhammer banjo is the core of their sound. They are joined by bassist Alex Lacquement who loc

This week, nationally renowned Arkansas singer-songwriter Erin Enderlin recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with this award winning wordsmith. “‘One of the best things about country music was that it was adult music,’ Erin Enderlin says of the country songs she grew up listening to in Arkansas. ‘It was real music that dealt with hard issues in life so that people going through those things don’t feel so alone.’   “The observation is signature Enderlin: She has a way of turning a song or even just a thought into an outstretched hand to the lonely or ashamed. While she first turned heads as a godsend to those aching for an artist with some golden-era country backbone, Enderlin’s acclaimed 2017 record Whiskeytown Crier firmly cemented her as something more. She’s a literary songwriter and superb vocal stylist with a knack for sharply drawn––and often sad––characters. Backsliders, avengers, lovers, and victims––they’re all swapping forlorn tales on the coll

This week, nationally renowned Arkansas singer-songwriter Erin Enderlin recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with this award winning wordsmith. “‘One of the best things about country music was that it was adult music,’ Erin Enderlin says of the country songs she grew up listening to in Arkansas. ‘It was real music that dealt with hard issues in life so that people going through those things don’t feel so alone.’   “The observation is signature Enderlin: She has a way of turning a song or even just a thought into an outstretched hand to the lonely or ashamed. While she first turned heads as a godsend to those aching for an artist with some golden-era country backbone, Enderlin’s acclaimed 2017 record Whiskeytown Crier firmly cemented her as something more. She’s a literary songwriter and superb vocal stylist with a knack for sharply drawn––and often sad––characters. Backsliders, avengers, lovers, and victims––they’re all swapping forlorn tales on the coll

This week, we celebrate the life and music of traditional folk troubadour and Ozark original the late Cathy Barton. Enjoy Cathy and her husband Dave Para recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with Cathy & Dave. “A lifelong musician, Cathy Barton grew up singing and started learning the ukulele in elementary school in Hawaii. After moving to Missouri, she took up the guitar and banjo and eventually developed a champion old-time banjo style. After hearing a record by Bill Spence on community radio, she became one of the first hammered dulcimer players in her region and helped expand the popularity of the instrument, inspiring many players nationally. Her playing was vibrant, powerful and spot on. She was also a generous and thoughtful teacher. Music was always fun for her and she tried to pass that on as much as any technique to her students and audiences. Cathy and her husband Dave Para shared a love for singing and cultivated a versatile and distinctive harmony duet and a re

This week, Grammy Award winning North Carolina modern bluegrass supergroup The Steep Canyon Rangers recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with the band’s leader and mandolin Jedi Mike Guggino. “Steep Canyon Rangers are Asheville, North Carolina’s GRAMMY winners, perennial Billboard chart-toppers, and frequent collaborators of the renowned banjoist (and occasional comedian) Steve Martin. The Rangers are made up of Woody Platt on guitar and vocals, Graham Sharp on banjo and vocals, Mike Guggino on mandolin/mandola and vocals, Nicky Sanders on fiddle and vocals, Mike Ashworth on drums and vocals, and Barrett Smith on bass and vocals. Steep Canyon Rangers have been on a journey that is uniquely their own. The band started in college at UNC-Chapel Hill, then dove head first into bluegrass in its most traditional form, and over the years have risen to the top of the bluegrass genre headlining top festivals such as Merlefest and Grey Fox Bluegrass. Only to th

This week, Grammy Award winning North Carolina modern bluegrass supergroup The Steep Canyon Rangers recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with the band’s leader and mandolin Jedi Mike Guggino. “Steep Canyon Rangers are Asheville, North Carolina’s GRAMMY winners, perennial Billboard chart-toppers, and frequent collaborators of the renowned banjoist (and occasional comedian) Steve Martin. The Rangers are made up of Woody Platt on guitar and vocals, Graham Sharp on banjo and vocals, Mike Guggino on mandolin/mandola and vocals, Nicky Sanders on fiddle and vocals, Mike Ashworth on drums and vocals, and Barrett Smith on bass and vocals. Steep Canyon Rangers have been on a journey that is uniquely their own. The band started in college at UNC-Chapel Hill, then dove head first into bluegrass in its most traditional form, and over the years have risen to the top of the bluegrass genre headlining top festivals such as Merlefest and Grey Fox Bluegrass. Only to th

This week, Fayetteville, Arkansas Ozark original old time acoustic quartet “Mighty Fine Times” recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with the band’s fearless leader Denise Lanuti. "Mighty Fine Times" members Dennis Collins and Denise Lanuti have many years of musical experience and have been performing together since 1987. Bayard Blain and Jennifer Parker joined the band and together the group features songs from many genres including old time, jazz, cowboy, bluegrass, blues and folk music. In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark Jones offers a 1978 archival recording of his own family, The Jones Family, performing the Buck White tune “Buck’s Waltz,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives. Writer, musician, and traditional dancer Aubrey Atwater presents a portrait of Bessie Jones and the Georgia Sea Island Singers. In this segment, we look in particular at the music and dance of Bessie Jones

This week, Fayetteville, Arkansas Ozark original old time acoustic quartet “Mighty Fine Times” recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with the band’s fearless leader Denise Lanuti. "Mighty Fine Times" members Dennis Collins and Denise Lanuti have many years of musical experience and have been performing together since 1987. Bayard Blain and Jennifer Parker joined the band and together the group features songs from many genres including old time, jazz, cowboy, bluegrass, blues and folk music. In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark Jones offers a 1978 archival recording of his own family, The Jones Family, performing the Buck White tune “Buck’s Waltz,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives. Writer, musician, and traditional dancer Aubrey Atwater presents a portrait of Bessie Jones and the Georgia Sea Island Singers. In this segment, we look in particular at the music and dance of Bessie Jones

This week, Grammy nominated Austin, Texas based progressive bluegrass quintet “Wood & Wire.” Also, interviews with these boundary bending bluegrass mavericks. “To understand the musical entity known as Wood & Wire, it’s best to toss aside expectations regarding the sounds that might be created by four pickers holding assemblages of wood and wire — specifically acoustic guitar, bass, banjo and mandolin. Banjo player Trevor Smith spent some of his teen years in Tucson, Arizona, playing in headbanger bands while studying Bill Monroe and J.D. Crowe. Mandolinist Billy Bright, raised in El Paso, Texas, swore his youthful allegiance to punk rock. And bassist Dom Fisher holds a jazz studies degree from Ithaca College in upstate New York. They don’t claim to defy categorization, they just ignore the notion of boundaries.  ‘Us coming together and throwing those recipes in a blender is what makes the sound of what we do unique’ asserts Houston and Galveston raised lead singer/guitarist Tony Kamel. Kamel, unbeli

This week, New York singer-songwriter, Americana and folk duo Richie & Rosie recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with these two fascinating talents. “Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton grew up 150 miles and a few decades apart. While both were raised by professional cellists, Richie started playing banjo at age 14 and Rosie began classical piano lessons at eight, eventually moving to classical viola as a teen. Both shared incredibly unique, musically-immersed childhoods. Richie’s family founded the iconic GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance (of which he is now President) and by her junior year of high school, Rosie was playing fiddle and touring with folk rock band The Mammals. During that time, the two were introduced at Saratoga Springs’ Flurry festival, a meeting that would spark a fated friendship and unique musical bond.  ‘He left an impression on me because he was wearing Converse. I had never seen an adult wear Converse before,’ said Rosie, re

This week, New York singer-songwriter, Americana and folk duo Richie & Rosie recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with these two fascinating talents. “Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton grew up 150 miles and a few decades apart. While both were raised by professional cellists, Richie started playing banjo at age 14 and Rosie began classical piano lessons at eight, eventually moving to classical viola as a teen. Both shared incredibly unique, musically-immersed childhoods. Richie’s family founded the iconic GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance (of which he is now President) and by her junior year of high school, Rosie was playing fiddle and touring with folk rock band The Mammals. During that time, the two were introduced at Saratoga Springs’ Flurry festival, a meeting that would spark a fated friendship and unique musical bond.  ‘He left an impression on me because he was wearing Converse. I had never seen an adult wear Converse before,’ said Rosie, re

This week, Woodstock, NY singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and American musical legacy Amy Helm recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with this descendant of American music royalty. “Amy Helm is an American singer-songwriter and daughter of The Band drummer Levon Helm and singer Libby Titus. She is a past member of the Levon Helm's Midnight Ramble Band and Ollabelle, as well as her own touring band. Born in Woodstock, New York, Amy spent her childhood between Woodstock, Los Angeles, and New York City. She attended Trinity High School where she studied jazz with Dr. Aaron Bell, while singing in bands, and playing in New York City clubs and bars. A lifelong musician and music-lover, Helm’s parents guided her training and influences. She later became a founding member of the alt-country collective Ollabelle and served as a backing musician in her father's Midnight Ramble Band.” http://www.amyhelm.com/home#about-amy In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educato