During the years I lived in Morehead, KY I used to have to get up real early to go in to a factory job.  There was a radio station across the mountains, WSGS in Hazard, KY.  They had a show in the morning that was very comedic called "Randy Walters in the Morning." (I think I have that right).  Randy was a real funny DJ.  He would stop during the morning every day and say, "Now everyone take your hat off, put your hand over your heart and face the south."   Then he would play Flatt and Scrugg's "Salty Dog."  Once I saw a guy in a jam session at the Festival of the Bluegrass in Lexington, KY who had "Randy Walters" on his jacket.  I spoke to him briefly and told him, "Thanks you make every day a little happier."  It was like a way back machine hearing Lester and Earl with his banjo over the radio each morning over coffee.  This was commercial radio and before "pay to listen" radio was available so there were not many alternatives. 

Radio ain't the same, but Internet Radio sure is good. Once upon a time, the PBS station from Kent, Ohio had bluegrass & folk music Friday Saturday & Sunday evenings. They dropped it some years back, switching to blues on Saturday nights. They always did play a lot of Classical, Renaissance, etc, and that took over the Friday & Sunday evenings. I miss those old shows. Their closing song was Riders In The Sky "Saddle Pals."
Paul

I know what you mean.  I  used to hear bluegrass from SW Ohio on independent public station WOBO.  Now I listen to Bluegrass Junction.

Yes I love my Bluegrass Junction. I don't know how I ever survived before I got Sirius Sattilite radio. I gotta have my Bill Monroe for Breakfast everyday, and a lot of Earl Scruggs is the icing on the cinnamon roll. Then it's Jimmy Martin for lunch, Mac Weisman, Don Reno, Lestor, Del, and all the rest get me thru the rest of my day.

Hey Kevin when did you live in Moorehead? I lived in Whitesburg, KY, about 30 miles from Hazard, in the early 1980s.

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Originally posted by banjoy

Hey Kevin when did you live in Moorehead? I lived in Whitesburg, KY, about 30 miles from Hazard, in the early 1980s.

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Morehead 1976 -1988, then Flemingsburg 1988 to 1992, then Covington 1992-2002.

This is me at Morehead in banjo contest in 1982.  I came in second to 13 year old boy that could torch the strings.

Edited by - Kevin B on 02/04/2012 03:48:50

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This is me at Morehead in banjo contest in 1982.  I came in second to 13 year old boy that could torch the strings.

 

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 Kevin,

Who was that 13 year old boy, is he still around playing?    Also, LOVE the sandals !!!

I wonder sometimes if he is our own Sandy Hook Flash hear but I have never got around to asking him.  His name is Johnny and I think the winner's was also.  Both are from Sandy Hook.  This guy tore up a Crowe number, Blackjack I think.  That, and my original post about the Hazard radio all adds up to some great memories.

If you are looking for an alternative to Bluegrass Junction try the bluegrass station on Slacker radio. (I subscribe to Sirius too but change up every now and again)...I listen to slacker for free through their free app on my android device. the cost of the free version is having to listen to about 15 seconds of a geico commercial about once an hour...otherwise, it's wall to wall bluegrass.

Hey, Kevin:

     I sent you a private message before I saw this topic from your homepage.  I remember that contest well!  I especially remember how friendly you were to me and your kind words of encouragement.  I remember that John Whitley, Keith's nephew, accompanied me on guitar.  He had such a smooth rhythm lick on the guitar; he was one of the best I have ever heard, before or since.  He really made the banjo picking easy.  He and I grew up together and spent nearly every weekend together picking during those teen years.  He's gone now, and I miss him greatly.  I remember those banjo contests at Trademore in Morehead, KY.  I recall the C. Roger Lewis typically was the MC, and Ron Dobler was one of the event organizers; didn't he have something to do with the Cobbler's Cottage shoe store there?  As the song goes..."Those were the days!!"  It's great to hear from you, my friend, and let me know how things are with you.

Sincerely,

Johnie Lewis