Ozark Highlands Radio

Latest Episodes:

OHR Presents: The Secret Sisters Jan 13, 2019

Show notes

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, Grammy nominated Muscle Shoals Americana & contemporary bluegrass singer-songwriter mega-duo The Secret Sisters, recorded live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with these superlative siblings. The Secret Sisters are an Americana singing and songwriting duo consisting of vocalists Laura Rogers and Lydia Slagle. The sisters’ music has been compared to artists like The Everly Brothers. Laura and Lydia are from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. With a love for music coming from both sides of their family (their grandfather and his brothers forged a group called The Happy Valley Boys,) they grew up with a zeal for country music and sang songs with their family by country music artists such as Don Williams. The girls first learned to harmonize through singing a cappella at their hometown church. The sisters have produced three albums. Their third album, “You Don’t Own Me Anymore” produced by Brandi Carlile, received the duo’s first Grammy nomination. Aside from touring the world with their unique brand of Southern story telling and impeccable harmonies, the Secret Sisters have appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and have a song featured on the movie soundtrack for “The Hunger Games.” In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark Jones offers a 1983 archival recording of autoharp master Ron Wall performing the traditional tune “Home Sweet Home,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives. Writer, musician, and traditional dancer Aubrey Atwater presents “Devil Songs.” Aubrey will guide us through the dark angel’s appearance in generations of traditional folk songs with musical examples and her own cultivated insight.

OHR Presents: Banjo Time! Jan 06, 2019

Show notes

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 “Banjo Time!” Join host Dave Smith and banjo royalty Mark Jones as they explore music of the banjo. From its ancient African roots, we’ll follow the banjo’s transition from a slave instrument into the mainstream of American popular and folk musics. Mark and Dave will guide us through performances by various banjo masters covering a myriad of styles into which the banjo has evolved, all recorded live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Artists featured on this week’s show include Country Music Hall of Fame member & “Hee Haw" star Grandpa Jones, master of traditional African American banjo Jerron ‘Blind Boy’ Paxton, Carolina Chocolate Drops member Hubby Jenkins, Ozark original Uncle Floyd Holland, connoisseurs of classic sheet music and banjo duo Clark Bueling & Carl Anderton, songwriter and banjo frailing ninja Jimmy Connors, fresh-faced banjo slinging madman Samuel Blake, preeminent bluegrass virtuoso Adam Fudge, our very own Mark Jones, Berklee School of Music banjo pioneer Lukas Pool, up and coming clawhammer champion Lillyanne McCool, classic country music and banjo superstar Buck Trent, and the inimitable Paul Brock Band featuring banjo shredders Dave Curley & Shane Farrell. In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark Jones offers an archival recording of ubiquitous Ozark banjo legend Bookmiller Shannon performing the tune “Shortnin’ Bread,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives. Bookmiller traveled America with famed Ozark songwriter and folklorist Jimmy Driftwood in the 1960’s and 70’s, bringing the Ozark style of clawhammer banjo into greater awareness. In this week’s guest host segment, renowned traditional folk musician, writer, and step dancer Aubrey Atwater explores “The African American Banjo,” illuminating the African roots of this enduring musical instrument. Aubrey takes us back to the source of the banjo with musical examples and enlightening commentary.

OHR Presents: Songs out of Style Oct 28, 2018

Show notes

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, songs out of style performed by various artists recorded live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Songs can transcend musical styles and those styles can also transcend their traditional songs. “Songs out of Style” explores the movement of great songs, both old and modern, across musical genres. We’ll hear traditional songs made new again, and modern songs remade in the old ways. Artists featured on “Songs out of Style” include bluegrass sensation The Barefoot Movement, experimental acoustic ensemble Jayme Stone & The Lomax Project - featuring Moira Smiley, amazing sibling duo The Vogts Sisters, renowned traditional music explorers Anna & Elizabeth, internet star & hammered dulcimer Jedi Ted Yoder, mountain dulcimer world champion Jeff Hames, mountain dulcimer guru & musical mad scientist Bing Futch & Co, Red Wing Roots Music Festival founders & old-time supergroup The Steel Wheels, as well as old-time music masters, comedians, and all-around hooligans The Hogslop String Band. In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark Jones offers an archival recording of a very young Ozark original, Dwight Moody, performing the song “In the Pines,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives. “In the Pines” is a traditional American song that was remade into a modern hit in 1993 by the grunge rock band Nirvana as “Where Did You Sleep Last Night.” In this week’s guest host segment, renowned traditional folk musician, writer, and step dancer Aubrey Atwater explores the peregrination of a song, following the journey of traditional song “Loving Hannah” from Ireland to America and back again. Aubrey presents various artists’ versions of the song including herself, Mary Black, Carrie Norris, and Jean Ritchie with her son Jon Pickow.

OHR Presents: Musical Families Oct 06, 2018

Show notes

This week, music by family, for family, and about family, performed by various artists recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Family life and ties are a big part of Ozark folk culture and music. Come on home with us to the Ozarks as we enjoy a little “family time,” celebrating the joy of familial bonding through song. Featured on this episode are a variety of artists including A.J. Croce, The Purple Hulls, Thom Bresh, Lukas & Eden Pool, The Gordons, The Honey Dewdrops, The Creek Rocks, The Lazy Goat String Band, The Weide Family, The Vogts Sisters, Love Hollar, and the Grandpa Jones Family Band. We’ll hear songs by, for, and about family, many of them written by the artists themselves. In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark Jones offers a 1981 archival recording of Ozark originals, husband & wife team Jim & Denise Lansford performing the song “Are You From Dixie” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives. In this week’s guest host segment, renowned traditional folk musician, writer, and step dancer Aubrey Atwater explores the strange tradition of “counting songs,” songs that feature counting numbers as part of their lyrics and meaning. This episode includes, among other examples, the song “Bluebird,” written by folk music legend Jean Ritchie for her young sons.

OHR Presents: Songs Not So Serious Sep 22, 2018

Show notes

OHR Presents: Brad Apple & Friends Sep 02, 2018

Show notes

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, multi instrumentalist, composer, and Ozark original Brad Apple, recorded live with some of his many friends at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with this magnetic maestro of mandolin & guitar. Mark Jones offers an archival recording of the musical family of Fred Crouch with his gifted progeny, Dennis and Tim, performing the tune “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down,” accompanied by Ozark legend Frank Ellis. Writer, musician, and traditional dancer Aubrey Atwater explores the world of the “Woman on the Shore,” and songs of tragedy told from the perspective of those left behind. Growing up in Batesville, Arkansas on the edge of the Ozark plateau, Brad Apple has been immersed in the music & culture of the Ozarks throughout his life. Brad was raised in a musical family. From his earliest instruction given by his musical grandfather, on to playing live with his parents & brother as a teen and into adulthood, Brad Apple has become one of the Ozarks’ finest musicians. Along with his immeasurable skills on both mandolin & guitar, Brad is also a gifted composer of New Acoustic music, as well as a master of traditional folk and bluegrass. In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark Jones offers a 1979 archival recording of the amazing musical family of Fred Crouch with his gifted progeny, Dennis and Tim Crouch, and accompanied by Ozark legend Frank Ellis, performing the tune “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives. In this week’s guest host segment, renowned traditional folk musician, writer, and step dancer Aubrey Atwater explores the world of the “Woman on the Shore,” and songs of tragedy told from the perspective of those left behind.

OHR Presents: Pam Setser Show Aug 04, 2018

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OHR Presents: Willi Carlisle & Carolyn Carter Jul 28, 2018

Show notes

This week, award winning actor, playwright, singer-songwriter, and traditional Ozark folk musician Willi Carlisle, recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with this dynamic talent. In addition, a featured performance by Arkansas True Folk singer-songwriter Carolyn Carter. Willi Carlisle is, according to The Washington Post, "powerful...both down-home and brainy." With years of collecting folklore, playing or calling square dances, and working in the avant-garde, Willi Carlisle Goehring is a multi-faceted writer, performer, and instrumentalist. With a style forged in the fire of Ozark oldtime music and his ever-growing collection of antique music, Carlisle’s musical stories hoot, stomp, and saunter through joys and troubles uniquely southern and timelessly true. Equally comfortable on banjo, fiddle, and guitar, Carlisle has earned accolades for his versatility with performances at the Ozark Folk Center, the Fayetteville Roots Festival, Thacker Mountain Radio, and Fringe Festivals across the country, where he has been lauded with awards like "Best Show" (Orlando Fringe) and the "Meryl Streep Acting Award" (Portfringe). While his big frame and expressive voice draw comparison to old balladeers and bluesmen, Willi sings new songs for the oldest reasons: love, heartache, and joy. People who watch and listen will find that he laughs and sheds a tear onstage almost as often as his audiences do, fire- and-brimstone proof of larger-than-life songs and stories. - http://www.willicarlisle.com Carolyn Carter is a Stone Country, Arkansas native and a regular performer at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Carolyn is a gifted songwriter and singer, whose talents are now becoming apparent to a larger audience, outside of Arkansas. Blessed with a songbird’s voice, Carolyn’s original compositions can be both haunting and heartwarming, reflecting her experiences growing up in the Ozarks. In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark Jones offers a 1979 archival recording of guitar designer, builder, & player Stu Mossman performing the traditional tune “Red Haired Boy,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives. In this week’s guest host segment, renowned traditional folk musician, writer, and step dancer Aubrey Atwater relates legendary folk singer Jean Ritchie’s childhood experience of meeting her mysterious “Uncle Jason,” from whom she learns of her own family’s music and history.

OHR Presents: Brian Martin Jul 15, 2018

Show notes

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, award winning True Folk & Americana singer-songwriter Brian Martin, recorded live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with Brian. Mark Jones offers an archival recording of Ozark original Pam Branscum performing the traditional tune “Goodbye Liza Jane.” Writer, musician, and traditional dancer Aubrey Atwater discusses the concept of percussive singing in traditional as well as modern musics. “While keeping one foot planted firmly in the roots of American music, singer/songwriter Brian Martin is forging a distinct path into its future as well. Interweaving old-time country blues and mountain folk music with southern soul, funk and gospel, Martin seamlessly creates a style that he simply refers to as "front porch soul." His burly voice and down home witty tales result in music that is both alluring and enduring for generations young and old. Hailing from southern Arkansas, Martin begin the journey of a full time performing musician in 2004. He spent years crafting new songs and developing his sound through constant touring around Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, while building a devoted fan base along the way. He released his solo debut album "No Rider" in 2011. Offering many of his fan favorite songs, "No Rider" highlights Martin's gritty soulful voice and intricate acoustic guitar finger picking, resulting in a theme collection of intimate, and at times, haunting folk songs. In addition to his solo performances, Martin also performs with Sad Daddy, a popular folk swing band he co-founded in 2010 with Melissa Carper on upright bass and Joe Sundell on the banjo. The trio recorded their self titled debut album in 2010 and toured extensively over the next few years, before taking a hiatus to work on other projects. The band has since added violinist Rebecca Patek to the lineup and released their follow up album "Fresh Catch" in 2016. With the new lineup intact, Sad Daddy has been out and about, sharing the new songs with old favorites, while keeping fans singing and dancing along the way.” https://www.brianmartinmusic.com/home In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark Jones offers a 1979 archival recording of Ozark original Pam Branscum performing the traditional tune “Goodbye Liza Jane,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives. In this week’s guest host segment, renowned traditional folk musician, writer, and step dancer Aubrey Atwater discusses the concept of percussive singing in traditional as well as modern musics. She offers examples of how this odd musical phenomenon has, and continues to pervade music from all over the world.

OHR Presents: The Dave Adkins Band Jun 10, 2018

Show notes

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, award winning contemporary bluegrass singer-songwriter Dave Adkins and his band, recorded live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with Dave Adkins. Mark Jones offers an archival recording of Ozark originals the Trawick Family performing the traditional tune “Under the Double Eagle.” Writer, professor, and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins relates a history of birds in the early Ozark region. There is no mistaking the raw and powerful vocals by singer, songwriter and guitarist Dave Adkins. His significant chart success, coupled with his stellar live performances, have made him one of most talked about male vocalist in acoustic music. Adkins was born in Pikeville, Kentucky and makes his home in Elkhorn City. He began playing and singing when he was just eight years old and joined a band with fellow classmates performing at schools and other venues. At 17, he began playing bluegrass music at Dollywood where he stayed two years. A year later, Adkins was named a Kentucky Colonel – the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky colonels are given by the governor and the secretary of state to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation. https://daveadkinsmusic.com/about/ In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark Jones offers a 1979 archival recording of Ozark originals the Trawick Family performing the traditional tune “Under the Double Eagle,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives. From his series entitled “Back in the Hills,” writer, professor, and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins relates a history of birds in the early Ozark regions of Arkansas & Missouri.

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