Look A-Yonder Comin'…

Bluegrass and Old-Time String Band Music from the Florida Folklife Collection

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    Old-time string band and bluegrass music have deep roots in Florida. The selections on this playlist are from groups that range from amateurs to seasoned professionals—even the "Father of Bluegrass Music" himself, Bill Monroe.

    The music on this playlist is from performances recorded at the Florida Folk Festival from 1960 to 2003. The selections are rendered by groups that range from amateurs to seasoned professionals – even the "Father of Bluegrass Music" himself, Bill Monroe.

    Old-time string band and bluegrass music have deep roots in Florida. Old-time is based on the centuries-old folk dance music and ballads of the British Isles. Bluegrass takes its name from Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, a Kentucky band that combined elements of old-time, big band, blues, and other influences to create a new, high-energy musical style in the 1940s. Florida connections to bluegrass abound. Monroe bought his famed Gibson F-5 mandolin in Miami. Jim and Jesse played for radio broadcasts from Live Oak in the 1960s. Chubby Anthony played a searing version of a composition by the Miami-based Rouse brothers that became one of the most popular fiddle tunes ever: the "Orange Blossom Special."

    The music continues to evolve through innovative artists like Mark Johnson, who combines old-time clawhammer and bluegrass techniques, dubbing his new style "clawgrass." Today, old-time and bluegrass remain vibrant as Floridians enjoy dozens of dances, pickin’ sessions, and festivals held every weekend from Key West to Pensacola.

    Download the playlist as a ZIP file containing 320kBps MP3s.

    1. Georgia Bound - Red and Murphy & Co.
    Recorded May 24, 1992, by Nancy Buchanan in White Springs
    (S1576, T92-56)

    2. Sally Ann - The Big Bend Ramblers
    Recorded May 28, 1995, in White Springs
    (S1576, D95-15)

    3. Lonesome Road Blues - Mike & Polly Johnson
    Recorded September 4, 1977, in White Springs
    (S1576, T77-295)

    4. Darlin’ Corey - Town Hall
    Recorded May 3, 1968, in White Springs
    (S1576, T77-182)

    5. Big Mon - Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys
    Recorded May 29, 1993, by Nancy Buchanan in White Springs
    (S1576, D93-11)

    6. Bugle Call Rag - Frank Evans & Leo Taylor
    Recorded May 7, 1960, by Foster Barnes in White Springs
    (S1576, T77-96)

    7. Forked Deer - Mark Johnson & Emory Lester
    Recorded May 24, 2003, by John Gambill & Betsi Kirwan in White Springs
    (S2034, CD03-53)

    8. Ragtime Annie - Willie Jones & Roger Eudy
    Recorded May 29, 1994, by Linda Leeds & Gerry Langevin in White Springs
    (S1576, D94-18)

    9. Granny, Will Your Dog Bite? - Goose Culbreath
    Recorded May 28, 1995, in White Springs
    (S1576, D95-11)

    10. Hot Corn, Cold Corn - The Pine Valley Boys
    Recorded May 8, 1965, by Foster Barnes in White Springs
    (S1576, T77-153b)

    11. Sugar in the Gourd - Lloyd Baldwin, Bill Martin & Dave Borland
    Recorded May 28, 1994, in White Springs
    (S1576, D94-12)

    12. Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues - The Peyton Brothers
    Recorded May 30, 1993, by Janet Stainer in White Springs
    (S1576, D93- 18)

    13. Shady Grove - Doc Watson & Jack Lawrence
    Recorded May 25, 1996, by Lynn Priestly in White Springs
    (S1576, D96-33a)

    14. Roll ‘em Boys - The Home Grown String Band
    Recorded May 29, 1994, by Ginny Atkins in White Springs
    (S1576, D94-33)

    15. Gonna Have a Good Time Tonight - Cush Holston
    Recorded May 7, 1960, by Foster Barnes in White Springs
    (S1576, T77-98)

    16. Orange Blossom Special - Chubby Anthony & Claude Bedenbaugh
    Recorded May 1970 in White Springs
    (S1576, T77-214)

    17. Gosh, I Miss You All the Time - Jim & Jesse with the Virginia Boys
    Recorded May 23, 1998, by Henry Link in White Springs
    (S1576, C98-107)

    18. Fifty Miles of Elbow Room - Norman & Nancy Blake
    Recorded May 25, 2003, by John Gambill and Caroline Pardue in White Springs
    (S2034, CD03-73)

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