Ozark Highlands Radio

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors, and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, neo-folk family troubadours “The Honey Dewdrops” perform live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with this talented husband & wife duo. Based out of Baltimore, MD, the Honey Dewdrops continue a long line of husband and wife duos making beautiful music together.  Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish now reside in Baltimore, but have strong connecting roots to the music in their home state of Virginia. Their popularity continues to grow, as they have performed at MerleFest and the Redwing Roots Music Festival. Instrumentation is classic Americana and includes guitar,

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors, and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, guitar legend Merle Travis performs live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. A performance by Merle’s son, Grammy award winning songwriter, guitarist, and actor Tom Bresh. Also, performances from two thumbpicking guitar champions, Danny Dozier & Randy Buckner. In 1979, the Ozark Folk Center State Park created an event to honor thumbpicking legend Merle Travis. In the early days the weekend featured a thumpicking contest and performances from the late Merle Travis and other popular guitarists. Over the years the event has continued on, and now hosts Merle’s son, Thom Bresh, as t

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors, and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, two Grammy Award winning old time musicians and an up and coming folk/blues sensation perform live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park Craft Village. Featured on this special episode are Dom Flemons, Don Edwards, and Jerron Paxton. One of the unique experiences for visitors to the Ozark Folk Center is the intimate matinee performances by our guest musicians. The shows are a unique way for musicians and guests share a time and space much different than a traditional indoor performance venue. There are often Q &A sessions, jokes, stories and of course, the occasional request from an audience member that make

This week, Grammy Award winning old time musician and TV personality David Holt recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Performing with David is his talented protégé Josh Goforth. Also, interviews with David & Josh. In the early 1970’s David Holt made a journey to the rural Southeastern U.S. in search of the roots of American music. What he discovered had a profound effect on him as a person and a musician. Over the years David has been a sideman with Doc Watson, performed at the Grand Ole Opry, was a cast member on Hee Haw with Grandpa Jones, and even won a Grammy Award for his work with Doc Watson. Today, David enjoys a successful solo career and performers regularly with a variety of other musicians. For this show, David was joined by long- time friend and former protégé Josh Goforth. The two met when Josh was in grade school, where David was performing for a group of students. As fate would have it, they kept in touch and are now band mates all these years later. In this week’s “From the

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors, and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, it’s Dulcimer Weekend! A whole host of mountain & hammered dulcimer national champions perform live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with mountain dulcimer mavens Tull Glazener, Jeff Hames, and Debbie Porter discussing the origins, resurgence of popularity, and appeal of this humble mountain musical instrument. For over 35 years, the Ozark Folk Center State Park has hosted the annual Dulcimer Jamboree. The annual event takes place in mid-April and features three days of specialized instruction and performances from the country’s top mountain and hammered dulcimer players. The mountain

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors, and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, unique Grammy nominated Louisiana alternative Zydeco band “The Lost Bayou Ramblers” perform live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with the Lost Bayou Ramblers. The Lost Bayou Ramblers were formed in 1999 by brothers Andre and Louis Michot, performing the roots Cajun music they learned as members of Les Frères Michot, the family band their father and uncles formed in the 80's. The brothers quickly began playing clubs and festivals around Louisiana, and taking the traditional music they were raised with to new levels of rhythmic energy and spontaneity. Over t

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors, and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, old time acoustic blues legend Roy Book Binder performs live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with this celebrated legacy of the Reverend Gary Davis style of acoustic guitar blues. Mark Jones offers an archival recording of Ozark youth Dwight Moody singing the traditional classic, “In the Pines.” Old time and Ozark fiddle aesthete Roy Pilgrim profiles the legendary Ozark fiddler Skeeter Walden. Guitarist Roy Book Binder has traveled the world as a solo performer for nearly 50 years. Roy’s career and playing style is heavily influenced by the late Reverend Gary Davis, who specialized in

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors, and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, alternative folk duo “Hoot & Holler” performs live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with the talented duo. A performance and interviews from “The Ozark Banjo Company.” Mark Jones offers an archival recording of Ozark original Walter Gosser singing the rare traditional classic, “Jimmy Brown the News Boy.” Old time and Ozark fiddle aesthete Roy Pilgrim profiles the legendary Ozark fiddler Lon Jordan. “Hoot n’ Holler” are comprised of guitarist Mark Kilianski and fiddler Amy Alvey. Like our other performers this week, their partnership has roots at the Berklee College of Music in Boston

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, talented Texas trio The Quebe Sisters perform live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with the Quebe Sisters. Mark Jones offers an archival recording of Ozark original Betty Copeland singing a rare traditional gospel classic, “Life’s Railway to Heaven.” Writer, professor, and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins profiles the last in a series of three Ozark regional ballads, “Little Johnny Lee.” Masters of Texas style swing, fiddle and three voice harmony, the Quebe (kway-bee) Sisters bring it like few can. Like other family and sibling performers we’ve featured on Ozark Highlands Radio, the Queb

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, consummate cowboy balladeer and Grammy nominated performer Don Edwards performs live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with Don. Mark Jones offers an archival recording of Jesse Wright, singing the classic Jimmy Rodgers song “The Orphan Child.” Writer, professor, and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins profiles the second in a series of three Ozark regional ballads, “Lee Mills.” One of America’s best loved and most enduring cowboy singers, Don Edwards is indeed an American treasure. His love and passion for traditional cowboy songs is second to none and has earned him a fan base worldwide. He

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, world renowned country music recording artist Suzy Bogguss performs live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with Suzy. Mark Jones offers an archival recording of Ozark original Onus Morrison demonstrating the traditional dance fiddle technique of playing with “fiddle sticks.” Writer, professor, and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins profiles the first in a series of three Ozark regional ballads, “The Boy That Burned in the Berryville Jail.” Best known for her country music hits in the 80’s and 90’s, Suzy Bogguss is an old time musician and fan at heart. Her 2011 release American Folk Songbook

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, new fashioned folk duo Bobby Glendy & Ruthie Haynie perform live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. A performance from the traditional family folk trio “Love Holler.” Also, interviews with Bobby & Ruthie, and also with “Love Holler.” Mark Jones offers an archival recording of famed songwriter & Ozark folklorist Jimmy Driftwood, playing a traditional instrument called the “picking bow.” Writer, professor, and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins profiles the last in a series of three Ozark song catchers, Max Hunter. Bobby Glendy is a second generation guitarist who learned his love of music from his father. A lo

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, seraphic modern folk duo “the Vogts Sisters” perform live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with the Vogts Sisters. Mark Jones offers an archival recording of Arkansas native Uncle Floyd Holland, singing the song “Suzy Licked the Ladle.” Writer, professor, and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins profiles the second in a series of three Ozark song catchers, John Quincy Wolf. With haunting harmonies and wickedly creative songs, the Vogts Sisters (Maggie and Abigail) are relative new comers to the old time/acoustic music scene. While they draw from traditional instrument

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, political folk music provocateur and Ozark original Tom Parker performs live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park with his friends, songwriter Mark Crabtree and bass player Jeff Sowards. Also, interviews with Tom. Featured also is talented singer/songwriter and traditional music educator Kathy Jensen. Mark Jones offers an archival recording of traditional Ozark dance fiddler Charley Richardson, playing the fiddle tune “Gold Rush.” Writer, professor, and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins profiles the first in a series of three Ozark song catchers, Mary Parler. Tom Parker was a bit of an enigma to us, in a good wa

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, traditional folk troubadours and Ozark originals Cathy Barton & Dave Para perform live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with Cathy & Dave. Mark Jones offers an archival recording of his famous parents, Grandpa & Ramona Jones, singing the song “Kentucky.” Writer, professor, and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins profiles the last in a series of three Ozark Civil War Ballads, “The Battle of Prairie Grove.” Long time purveyors of traditional old time music, Dave and Cathy are outstanding performers with a rich history tied to many well-known old time musicians in the Ozark region. Cathy Barton

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, modern folk minstrel and intimate songwriter Avery Hill performs live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with Avery, and performances and interviews with our very own “Flathoof Stringband.” Mark Jones offers an archival recording of legendary Ozark balladeer Ollie Gilbert, telling the story of “The Preacher and the Bear.” Writer, professor, and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins profiles the second in a series of three Ozark Civil War Ballads, “The Battle of Pea Ridge.” Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Avery Hill captures the essence of modern singer/songwriters in her music. Though Avery studie

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, original Ozark Old Time folk minstrel and songwriting group “Sad Daddy” performs live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with these interesting and innovative songwriters. Mark Jones offers an archival recording of Ozark legend Bookmiller Shannon, playing the traditional song “Shortnin’ Bread.” Writer, professor, and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins profiles the first in a series of three Ozark Civil War Ballads, “The Battle of Wilson’s Creek.” “Sad Daddy” combines the talents of four unique Arkansas musicians in one convenient package. The group features Brian Martin on guitar, Melissa Carp

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, original Ozark Alternative Folk music ingenue Grace Stormont performs live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with this fast rising new folk artist. Mark Jones offers an archival recording of the Junior Rackensack Society, singing the Jimmy Driftwood song “Down in the Arkansas.” Writer, professor, and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins profiles the Brockwell School, and its tradition of education in the uniquely American art form of shape note singing. One of the most exciting and talented young musicians in Arkansas, Grace Stormont is just getting started. After moving to Mountain View, Arkan

Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region. This week, Original Ozark Old Time phenomenon “The Lazy Goat String Band” performs live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, a performance from the dynamic mountain dulcimer duo Jack & Mary Giger, as well as interviews with “The Lazy Goat String Band” and Jack & Mary. Ozark Highlands Radio host Dave Smith and producer Jeff Glover discuss the fine points of what makes “folk music,” and Dave Smith offers Mark Jones an archival recording of, well, Mark Jones playing the traditional song “Arkansas Traveler,” in the clawhammer banjo style of his famous father, Grandpa Jones. “Authentic, heartfelt, and relevant” are ju

This week, legendary songwriter, performer, folklorist, historian and Ozark original Jimmy Driftwood recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Dave Smith gives an historical portrait of the life of this remarkable Ozarker. Also, Ozark Highlands Radio host Dave Smith and producer Jeff Glover discuss the fine points of what makes “folk music.” Mark Jones offers an archival recording of another Ozark original, Jean Simmons, performing the song “Unclouded Day” in her pioneering mountain dulcimer style. There was never a more popular, outspoken or controversial musician or personality to come out of Stone County, Arkansas than James Corbitt Morris (better known as Jimmy Driftwood).  Driftwood was a driving force behind the creation of the Ozark Folk Center State Park and a successful singer songwriter who penned “The Battle of New Orleans” and “Tennessee Stud” among other notable songs. Jimmy helped put Stone County on the musical map and left a legacy that is still talked about to this day. Our program t