The classic Rocky Top by Osborne Brothers -
Alternate version: Roy Clark with the Muppets
and one more version, just for (e:Mike) - Dolly Parton
The Carolina Chocolate Drops are my current favorite. They're classified as a string band, but it's still Appalachian folk. Here they're covering something popular that I don't think I've heard the original of.
Don't get trouble in your mind
This is one of my favorite covers of a pop song in bluegrass style (altho it has a full drum kit behind it). It makes me laugh every time and I've got plenty of good memories associated with it.
Tioga County-based bands:
- The Hickory Project
- Grass Stained Genes
- Cornpone Sally My friend Liz plays mandolin. Definitely check out "Tioga"
THP (or at least parts) & GHG will likely be playing Memorial Day weekend at the party I go to every year. (e:heidi,48869) GHG played for my 31st birthday party.
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And when do we get to play with this???
Sorry To Be Real Blue Grass it must Mention "The Lord" HA... Kidding I like Blue Grass but listen to it much I listened to these videos as I read facebook postings... I'm sure as one listens more it becomes like rock music some bands you like and some you don't... By the Way anyone have any Kentucky Blue Grass...... Ha that isn't music from what I have heard... Seriously though There is some line someplace where some country music becomes blue grass and vice versa and not sure where that is but guessing you wouldn't hear it on Radio or at least not here.... I Wish I had the time to follow the links......
I really like bluegrass music, especially when its performed by Dolly.
I can't get enough of this stuff. I'm always a sucker for tight harmonies and string instruments and I think the texture of the banjo and the fiddle and the mandolin and the jug and whatever else they stick in there makes it all the better.
I almost went looking for that old-tyme one-mic style while I was putting this together but thought it would be too much info... guess not :-) Here's a band I saw at Coudersport High School a couple years back with Cornpone Sally opening: The Hillbilly Gypsies, Foggy Mountain Breakdown, which is a wonderful classic. :::link::: Here's a vocal number Drivin' Nails: :::link::: (The banjo player has an extra mic, but you get the idea.)
I have about a 50-hours/year limit on bluegrass tolerance, most of which is taken by the party.
Oh, Yeah, I almost forgot. Hit em up is Blu Cantrell song. I love that the percussion for the Carolina Chocolate Drops is the banjo player stomping on the stage with a mike next to his foot. I've been aware of these guys for a while. They rock.
I like the energy and honesty of bluegrass.
When I lived in Brevard, NC, a bluegrass musician I knew said that it wasn't real bluegrass unless it followed the"Crowd around the microphone" rule. He said that old school bluegrass had all the musicians arranged around a microphone (sometimes in a circle) and that the featured part (vocal or instrumental would step closer to the mike) to be louder. Apparently, this practice stems from single microphone recording and radio shows from the 1920s and 1930s. I heard that he plays with a fairly well-known group these days. I wonder if he feels the same way now.