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Across the Blue Ridge #81- Early Grand Ole Opry Stars, New Country, and Fiddler Earnest East

by Paul Brown

Earnest East (far left) is one of the featured musicians on this Across the Blue Ridge episode. The award-wining Surry County, NC player (1916-2000) was widely known, with his band The Pine Ridge Boys (L-R Earnest East, Mac Snow, Scotty East, Gilmer Woodruff), for his skill as a square dance fiddler and for his skill in backing up singers. Paul Brown collection

It's another fabulous summer listening program this week, perfect for time at home, a barbeque, vacations, or that long road trip.  Hear early stars of the Grand Ole Opry including DeFord Bailey, plus the latest from traditional country singer James Hand.  And we feature an entire segment with the captivating fiddle band music of Earnest East (1916-2000), who would be 101 years old this month.  The Surry County, NC “Round Peak”-style fiddler was extraordinarily skilled at providing energetic square dance music – and at backing up songs from old-time to country to gospel.  His music is rarely heard today.  But Across the Blue Ridge host Paul Brown brings it out once again and guides us through it. 

Playlist

  1. The Red Hot Breakdown
    Tom, Brad & Alice
    Holly Ding
     
  2. Wish I Had Stayed In The Wagon Yard
    Lowe Stokes & His North Georgians
    Hard Times In The Country
     
  3. Bacon & Cabbage
    Blind Joe Mangrum & Fred Shriver
    Nashville: The Early String Bands V.2
     
  4. Muscle Shoals Blues
    DeFord Bailey
    Nashville: The Early String Bands V.2
     
  5. Sugar Cane Mama
    Charlie Monroe & His Kentucky Pardners
    Charle Monroe His Recordings 1938-56
     
  6. Be Ready When He Comes
    Skip James
     
  7. Break 1 - Ontario Blues
    Elizabeth Cotten
    Shake Sugaree
     
  8. Suzanna Gal
    Earnest East & The Pine Ridge Boys
    Old Time Mountain Music
     
  9. Knoxville Girl
    Earnest East & The Pine Ridge Boys
    Old Time Mountain Music
     
  10. Greenback Dollar
    Earnest East & The Pine Ridge Boys
    Old Time Mountain Music
     
  11. Ain't Gonna Work Tomorrow
    Earnest East & The Pine Ridge Boys & Patsy
    Stringband Music From Mount Airy
     
  12. Going Home
    Earnest East & The Pine Ridge Boys & Patsy
    Stringband Music From Mount Airy
     
  13. Break 2 - Sally Ann
    Earnest East & The Pine Ridge Boys & Patsy
    Stringband Music From Mount Airy
     
  14. Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
    Jimmy Martin
    12 Memories from Jimmy Martin to Us
     
  15. Banks of the Brazos
    James Hand
    The Truth Will Set You Free
     
  16. In The Corner At The Table By The Jukebox
    James Hand
    The Truth Will Set You Free
     
  17. Mule To Ride
    Jim Miller
    Herd I'm Drinkin'
     
  18. Old Love Letters
    Ralph Stanley & Laurie Lewis
    Clinch Mountain Country V.1
     
  19. Chicken Under the Washtub
    Jason Carter
    On The Move

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