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An enjoyable evening watching "Country Music Live At The Ryman" on AZ PBS.

Last night, the wife and I had a most enjoyable evening, gratis our comfy couch and AV system, watching a AZ PBS broadcast of "Country Music Live AT The Ryman" 

A wonderful tribute to the history of Country Music and the many artists, writers  and producers who helped pave its way. It was hosted by producer Ken Burns with tribute performances of the music of such iconic legends as Hank Williams. Johny Cash, Maybelle Carter and many others, performances by Vince Gill, Rodney Crowell, Kathy Matea, Marty Stewart, Dwight Yoakam, Holly Williams and other noted artists.
It was both educational and entertaining and inspired me to dig out some of my old favorite Country LPs and CDs and spend the night enjoying some almost forgotten, wonderful tunes. 

Whether or not Country Music is among one's favorite genres, it definitely has deep roots in America's musical landscape.
For those who haven't had a chance to enjoy this great broadcast, check your local PBS for possible re-broadcasts and follow up additions of the history and artists of American Country Music, as well as specials on the many other genre of music. 

Jim
 
jhills
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,285 posts
 

Did y'all appreciate Marty Stuart displaying his abilities at mandolin playing, when he demonstrated how Bill Monroe played the instrument? Marty was a child, a mere 13 years of age, when he became a professional musician, hired by Lester Flatt to join his band.

Marty currently has the best band in the world, The Fabulous Superlatives. He and they have been making great music for quite a few years now. Marty owns Clarence White's B-Bender Telecaster and Hank Williams' Martin acoustic! One of my very favorite living musicians. 

edcyn
1,876 posts
 
I'm old enough to have seen Clarence White when he was with the Byrds.  Was it at the Troubadour in West Hollywood?  Was it at a joint in Pasadena? The mem'ry fades.  I do remember, though, how he burned up (or was that hogged?) practically every solo opportunity...
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,285 posts
 

I’m green with envy, @edcyn! I somehow managed to miss The Byrds with Clarence up in NorCal. I’ve been to The Troubadour many times (once on it’s stage), that would have been a great place to see and hear he and they. I have mixed feelings about that Byrds line-up: While I love Clarence, The Byrds drummer during his tenure was Gene Parsons (no relation to Gram), a not-very-good Country player (too busy and "messy", didn’t understand when to play a simple 1-3 or 1-2-3-4 on the kick). Gene did invent the B-Bender, though ;-) .

One world-class Telecaster player I have seen & heard close up was one you probably also like: Albert Lee. In the 90’s Al would occasionally performed at a nice bar in Ventura, CA, just south of Santa Barbara. The night I went the place was packed with guitarists, watching his hands like hawks do field mice. Al tore up the place.

edcyn
1,876 posts
 
bdp24 -- I saw the Byrds at the Aquarius Theater in Hollywood when they were going through all their personnel problems.  That very evening, apparently, they had just become a trio, McGuinn, Chris Hillman and one of those drummers.  A member of the audience shouted, "Where's Gene?" ...Or was it some other dear departed Byrd?  Anyway,  Hillman muttered, "He's dead."  Bottom line, the Byrds were not very good.  McGuinn was forced to supply his own back-up vocals.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,285 posts
 
Yeah Ed, Chris must have left The Byrds soon after that show, starting The Flying Burrito Brothers with Gram. The last Byrds album I bothered to listen to was the double untitled, which had only one good song---"Chestnut Mare." I then wrote them off. But Chris did some real good Bluegrass albums on Sugar Hill Records, and as the leader of The Desert Rose Band. His newest album (produced by Mike Campbell of The Heartbreakers) is also mighty fine.
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