Across the Blue Ridge #109 - Early Country to The Present: Songster John Lilly

This week we take a trip down memory lane to a few of the earliest mountain and classic country music recordings. And our journey back brings us to West Virginia's John Lilly, an artist who spans categories.  He started with old time songs and tunes, was a member of the famed Green Grass Cloggers dance troupe, and all the while reveled in the sounds of Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams and other classic country performers.  He says his years making music with Tennessee fiddle Ralph Blizard were crucial to his development as an instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter.  We find out more about that in our interview.  And we hear songs from John Lilly's recording output, somewhat modest in number but very impressive in style and quality.

Playlist

1. Ida Red
   Galax Bogtrotters
   Old Time Jubilation
    
2. Lover's Return
   Galax Bogtrotters
   Old Time Jubilation
    
3. Little Darling Pal Of Mine
   Carter Family
   Anchored In Love
    
4. The Coo Coo Bird
   Clarence Ashley
   Greenback Dollar
    
5. In The Jailhouse Now
   Jimmie Rodgers
   Essential Jimmie Rodgers
    
6. In The Jailhouse Now
   Webb Pierce & Willie Nelson
   In The Jailhouse Now
    
7. Break 1 - Buck Dancer's Choice
   McGee Brothers
   Sam & Kirk McGee Live 1955-67
    
8. Pan American 
   Hank Williams
   The Complete Hank Williams
    
9. Short and Sweet
   John Lilly
   Cold Comfort
    
10. Interview - John Lilly
    John Lilly
    ATBR recording
     
11. Peach Pickin' Time In Georgia
    John Lilly & Ralph Blizard
    Blue Highway
     
12. Sally Ann
    Benton Flippen & The Smokey Valley Boys
    Old Time, New Times
     
13. M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I
    John Lilly
    State Songs
     
14. Midnight On The Water
    John Lilly & Ralph Blizard
    Blue Highway
     
15. Break 2 - Plunkin' Rag
    Hubert Davis
    Jim Eanes & The Shenandoah Valley Boys
     
16. The West Virginia Hills
    John Lilly
    State Songs
     
17. They Tore The Cabin Down
    John Lilly
    Thinking About The Weather
     
18. Interview - John Lilly
     
19. New Lost John
    Ralph Blizard & The New Southern Ramblers
    Southern Ramble
     
20. Dear Old Sunny South By The Sea
    John Lilly & Ralph Blizard
    Blue Highway