Bluegrass Oldtime Radio Show xx-xx-xx (10)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold’s Old Time Radio – Bluegrass Oldtime Radio Show (Episode 10, 10/03/25)

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Jack Lewis brings listeners into the world of bluegrass and old-time string band music from independent artists, keeping alive the spirit of the Golden Age of Radio. The show features handpicked tracks from up-and-coming and little-known bands, with Jack inviting listeners to help select what should make the radio station playlist. Listeners are urged to get involved by providing feedback on the songs and bands featured, creating a community curation approach to programming.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Listener Participation in Curation

• Jack’s Interactive Approach: Throughout the episode, Jack repeatedly encourages listeners to email their thoughts about each act’s suitability for the station’s playlist. He’s clear about his selection criteria: artists must be independent, perform with traditional string instruments only, and avoid electrified instruments or drums.
• Quote: “So how about it? Want to help make the selection? All you have to do is listen to the songs and… let me know if you would advise me to play the entire album.” — Jack Lewis (03:06)

2. Artist Spotlights and Song Samples

• Four different acts are sampled, each introduced with brief context about their independent status and musical background.

a. Cold Creek Bluegrass Band

• Song Sampled: “Weary Weary Lonesome Blues” (00:33–02:39)
• Style & Mood: A classic, mournful bluegrass tune centered on heartbreak and travel.
• Memorable Lyrics:
  “I hate to turn my back on you for you know I love you so
  but you will never love me dear
  so I’m drifting my heart from here…”
  (01:40)
• Host Reaction: “What did you think of that band? …I only play music by old time or bluegrass string bands not associated with a major record label.” — Jack Lewis (03:06)

b. David Patton & Blue Dress Music

• Song Sampled: “Stay Away from Me” (06:18–08:14)
• Song’s Theme: Unrequited love and heartbreak, performed in a traditional bluegrass style.
• Key Lyric:
  “Stay away from me you’re causing me trouble
  it’s been that way since from the start…”
  (06:18)

c. Wayne Scott

• Song Sampled: “It’s the Whiskey that Eases the Pain” (11:17–13:51)
• Background: Jack reads part of Scott’s biography and press release, emphasizing Scott’s long journey to making music public.
  • "71 years in the making... this Weary Way happens because persistence of musical influences tugged at Wayne Scott’s heartstrings until he fulfilled what he was so obviously meant to do." (08:14)
• Memorable Lyric:
  “It ain’t love, it ain’t money
  it’s a whiskey that eases the pain.”
  (11:17)
• Host’s Call for Feedback: “Let me know if you think that song passes the criteria I’ve set for my radio station. Support your answers with reasons why.” (14:33)

d. All For One (Gospel Bluegrass Band)

• Songs Sampled:
  • “Welcome to Eternity” (15:43–18:14)
  • “Just Over Yonder” (18:41–21:20)
• Themes: Both tracks focus on spiritual longing and hope, blending gospel with old-time bluegrass.
• Notable Moment: Jack is personally connected to the song "Just Over Yonder" as his own band performs a version of it.
  • “Since I’m not familiar with that song, I browsed through the album and found one that the band I play with, the Oriskany Strings perform.” (18:14)

e. Nancy Sly (Clawhammer Banjo)

• Songs Sampled:
  • “Shaving a Dead Man” (25:50–26:29)
  • “Cackling Hen” (briefly mentioned afterward, no time specified)
• Album Description: Jack reads the blurb, highlighting “award winning banjo player Nancy Sly… strong old time sounds from Mount Airy, NC, and Galax, VA.” (21:20)
• Band Lineup: Collaborators on the album are recognized regional players in old-time music circles.

---

Listener Involvement & Criteria for Airplay

• Key Theme: Jack places strong emphasis on audience involvement – he wants listeners to be “part of the selection committee” (03:06, 08:14, 14:33, 21:20, 26:29), with opinions directly impacting future airplay.
• Criteria Reiterated:
  • Bands must be independent.
  • No electrified instruments or drums.
  • Must fit the old-time or bluegrass string band tradition.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Motivation for the Show:
  “You know, that’s a question I have to ask myself every time I add a new artist to my Internet radio station.” — Jack Lewis (03:06)
• On the Independent Bluegrass Scene:
  “I get a lot of CDs sent or given to me to consider. I like to listen to some of the songs on an album and review the literature people give me before I decide whether or not to play the album on my radio station.” — Jack Lewis (03:06)
• On the Realities of Musical Life:
  “Sorry to take so long to respond. I started a new job and it has about sucked up every spare moment I have. Sure was fun just playing music for a living, but I was losing too much money too fast.” — David Patton, read by Jack Lewis (03:06)
• On Audience Involvement:
  “Let me know what you think. Would you want to listen to more music by that band? Let’s hear from you.” — Jack Lewis (08:14)
• Sign Off with Humor:
  “I’m going to have to sign off now because I need to go pack up my wagon. For the next two weeks I’ll be on vacation, traveling… in our new roadtrek Motorhome. I think it has a lot more horses than those old wagons used to have.” — Jack Lewis (26:29)

---

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:33: Cold Creek Bluegrass Band – “Weary Weary Lonesome Blues”
• 03:06: Jack Lewis invites audience input, describes show ethos
• 06:18: David Patton & Blue Dress Music – “Stay Away from Me”
• 08:14: Introduction to Wayne Scott and his life’s musical journey
• 11:17: Wayne Scott – “It’s the Whiskey that Eases the Pain”
• 14:33: Jack solicits listener reasoning for airplay
• 15:43: All For One – “Welcome to Eternity”
• 18:41: All For One – “Just Over Yonder”
• 21:20: Introduction to Nancy Sly and collaborators
• 25:50: Nancy Sly – “Shaving a Dead Man”
• 26:29: Mention of “Cackling Hen” & end of music samples
• End: Jack’s humorous sign off

---

Summary Table: Bands & Songs Sampled

| Band/Artist | Song(s) | Style/Theme | Timestamp | |-------------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------------|------------| | Cold Creek Bluegrass Band | Weary Weary Lonesome Blues | Traditional Bluegrass, Heartbreak | 00:33 | | David Patton / Blue Dress | Stay Away from Me | Bluegrass, Heartbreak | 06:18 | | Wayne Scott | Whiskey that Eases the Pain | Traditional, Country, Story Song | 11:17 | | All For One | Welcome to Eternity / Just Over Yonder | Gospel Bluegrass, Spiritual | 15:43/18:41 | | Nancy Sly | Shaving a Dead Man / Cackling Hen | Clawhammer, Old-Time String Band | 25:50/26:29|

---

Tone & Atmosphere

The show radiates a warm, interactive, and nostalgic tone, with Jack Lewis’s down-to-earth style reflecting his personal involvement in the old-time and bluegrass music world. Each introduction and segment is conversational, peppered with bits of humor and an overt appreciation for independent artistry.

---

Conclusion

This episode of Bluegrass Oldtime Radio Show offers a rich collective sampling of under-the-radar string band music, all within a warm, friendly community-radio framework. Listeners are made part of the programming process, reinforcing the show’s grassroots ethos. Jack Lewis’s blend of musical passion, insider knowledge, and open-door policy for feedback solidify this episode as a celebration of both music and community in the spirit of radio’s golden age.

Transcript

[Band Member / Singer]

Ladies and gentlemen, please make welcome the Coal Creek Bluegrass band.

I've got them weary weary lonesome blues Feeling lonesome about how to die I turn my back on my true love can't tell the days or nights I'm going down to catch a train Never coming back again I've got them weary, weary lows and blues gonna ride them.

[Jack Lewis]

All away well howdy friends and neighbors. This is your host Jack Lewis and Ms.

[Band Member / Singer]

Hair.

[Jack Lewis]

My 10th episode of a bluegrass and old time music radio show and you're listening to the Cold Creek Bluegrass band. A flir lonesome blues.

[Band Member / Singer]

I've got them weary weary lonesome blues I found out that loved no pain the only girl that I did love she has gone the other way I cannot smile as I used true for love is for.

Good and true I've got them weary.

Weary loads and blues and I don't know what to do I got them weary weary lonesome blues Gonna pack my grip and go I hate to turn my back on you for you know I love you so but you will never love me dear so I'm drifting my heart from here I've got them weary weary lonesome blues Gonna ride in my hol.

[Sam]

Sam.

[Jack Lewis]

Well, what did you think of that band? You know, that's a question I have to ask myself every time I add a new artist to my Internet radio station. So this time I thought you might enjoy helping me select the music to play on my radio station. If you've been a listening to my show, then by now you know that I only play music by old time or bluegrass string bands not associated with a major record label. In other words, the artist must be independent. And by string band, I mean that they can't be a playing any electrified instruments or drums. Now, I get a lot of CDs sent or given to me to consider. I like to listen to some of the songs on an album and review the literature people give me before I decide whether or not to play the album on my radio station. So how about it? Want to help make the selection? All you have to do is listen to the songs and some of the literature people send me and then send me an email letting me know if you would advise me to play the entire album on my radio station. Remember, my email address is jack lewiserverstation.com Jack Lewis is one word and spelled J a C K L E W I s Server station is one word and spelled S u r V e R S T a t I o n so that's Jack [e-mail] okay, let's begin. David Patton contacted me back in August and asked if he could send me a cd. I checked out a sample song he had on their website and told him to go ahead. A few weeks ago, I received two of his albums with this. Sorry to take so long to respond. I started a new job and it has about sucked up every spare moment I have. Sure was fun just playing music for a living, but I was losing too much money too fast. Please feature songs from our Live at Altona Range cd and thank you for supporting and promoting Blue Dress Music. Regards, David. All right, so let's give it a try. And we will now listen to one more song. Stay away from me.

[Sam]

Stay away from me you're causing me trouble it's been that way since from the start While you're away there's another there waiting stay away from me you're breaking my heart oh, the skies are blue and the sun is shining and the autumn leaves are turned brown I loved you so but I can't have you stay away from me get out of town, Sam. Stay away from me you're causing me trouble it's been that way since from start while you're away there's another there waiting stay away from me you're breaking my heart oh, the skies are blue and the sun is shining and the autumn leaves are turning brown I love you so but I can't have you stay away from me get out of town stay away from me get out of town.

[Jack Lewis]

All right, that's it. Usually I only listen to the first two songs on an album, so I sure hope the artists are smart enough to to put their best songs first. Let me know what you think. Would you want to listen to more music by that band? Let's hear from you. A few weeks ago, I received in the mail an album from Full Light Records of Nashville, Tennessee. Inside was an album entitled Wayne this Weary Way, a copy of a press release, and a biography of the artist, Wayne Scott. Let me read to you the first paragraph of the press release. We're all full of songs and stories. If we don't write them, they won't be written 71 years in the making. Wayne Scott's this Weary Way, a lifelong dream becomes a reality on August 30, 2005. Had Wayne Scott been dealt a different hand of cards in A Game of Life, his debut album might have been released sooner. This Weary Way is the result of a lifelong love affair with traditional country music and how the persistence of musical influences tugged at Wayne Scott's heartstrings until he fulfilled what he was so obviously meant to do. Having written songs since he was a teenager, Wayne Scott was too busy supporting his growing family to pursue a career in music. However, he was never without his pen and paper, never too busy to write down his thoughts and his memories, his eventual songs and stories. At 40 years old, Wayne finally put a band together and toured the west coast circuit for almost 20 years. Although he continued to write his own songs, he never played any of his original music in public. Wayne Scott played dancehall favorites and recognizable hits for the crowd, but he never gave up writing. So obviously then what we're going to hear here are some of the songs that Wayne Scott wrote and so let's give a listen to the whiskey Nope it's the whiskey that eases the pain.

[Band Member / Singer]

It ain't love, it ain't money that makes this world turn around when you hit rock bottom you may not be on the ground Let me tell you something and in case you're walking with the cane it ain't love, it ain't money It's a whiskey that eases a pain Eve told Adam that she had apples for sale he bought the first one I bought the last one went to hell if you're needing a crutch don't try to walk with the cane it ain't love, it ain't money It's a whiskey that eases the pain it ain't love, it ain't money that makes this world turn around when you hit rock bottom you may not be on the ground Let me tell you something in case you're walking with a cane it ain't love, it ain't money It's a whiskey that eases the pain.

[Sam]

Sam and chase my troubles away.

[Jack Lewis]

When you.

[Sam]

Wake up tomorrow I'll still be living.

[Jack Lewis]

Today.

[Sam]

If you need a crutch don't.

[Band Member / Singer]

Try to walk with a cane.

[Jack Lewis]

Get.

[Sam]

In love it ain't money it's a whiskey that eases the kind.

[Band Member / Singer]

It ain't love, it ain't money that makes this.

[Sam]

World turn around Round round, round, round.

[Band Member / Singer]

When you hit rock bottom you may.

Not be on the ground down on.

The ground Let me tell you something in case you're walking with a cane it ain't love, it ain't money It's a whiskey that eases the pain Let me tell you something ins in case you're walking with your canes it ain't love, it ain't money It's a whiskey that eases the pain.

[Jack Lewis]

There you have it. Let me know if you think that song passes the criteria I've set for my radio station. Support your answers with reasons why A couple of weeks ago I was playing in Roanoke, Virginia and met a fellow who said he played with the Gospel Blue Drafts Band. I told him about my Internet radio station and he gave me two of his band CDs to listen to. The name of the band is all for One and the first album he wanted me to listen to is called He'll Come, He'll Excuse Me he'll welcome me to Eternity let's give a listen to the song titled welcome to Eternity.

[Band Member / Singer]

My heart and soul looks over Jordan For Christ my Lord he's anchored there he'll pilot me through the cumber water through that fireland he's prepared for me he waits for me to dress coast over Jordan loving our feel welcome me he'll bury me too his gracious and welcome me to eternity with all my friends and all my love we'll gather around that great white throne we'll praise and sing the sound of the and worship him I die for him he waits for me just over Jordan but he arms he'll welcome me he'll carry me through his precious bosom and welcome me to eternity he waits for me Just go with your wilful me he'll carry me True inspiration Welcome me to eternity and welcome me to eternity.

[Jack Lewis]

Since I'm not familiar with that song, I browsed through the album and found one that the band I play with, the Oriskany Strings perform. The song is called Just Over Yonder and here's all for one's version.

[Band Member / Singer]

Just over yonder there is a river A.

City of beautiful delight Many loved ones congregate me with compl.

Just over yonder There be no heartache.

No lonely days up there ever come There'll be no crying There be no dying oh what rejoicing Sing when we.

Get home there's nothing here brand but this looks appointment so often Here we.

Are left alone but over yonder steps.

Grow ponder and separation ever come Just over yonder There'll be no Harley no.

Lonely days up there they ever come.

There'll be no crying Rejoicing when we get home Just over yonder we'll soon be going to see our Savior on his throne Hear a welcome ring out.

To heaven Nowhere we feel grown this.

Is your home Just nowhere yonder There'll.

Be no heartache no lonely dead up there There'll be no crying There'll be no dying oh I'll be joy when.

We get home oh, I rejoicing when we get home.

[Jack Lewis]

Okay, there you have it. Two songs by all for One. Let me know what you think of this group. Do I add them to my playlist or not? And don't forget to support your answers with reasons why I subscribe to the New River Old Time Band listserv and Sometimes I solicit CDs from the readers. About a month ago I received three CDs and one of the album covers caught my eye. On the COVID is a beautiful white Arabian horse eaten out of a woman's hand while a woman holds a banjo in the other hand. The artist is Nancy Sly's and the album is entitled Best of Friends Volume one. The COVID says Old Time Claw Hammer Banjo with Fiddle, Guitar, Bass and feet. A one page description of the CD was enclosed which reads Old Time Mountain Music at its Finest. Featuring award winning banjo player Nancy Sly, this CD delivers some strong old time sounds from the Mount Airy, North Carolina and Galax, Virginia areas. Helping Nancy out are a variety of musicians including guitarist Chester McMillan played with Tommy Darrell Ernst, East Shady Mountain Ramblers and Backstep, and fiddler Richard Bowman, Blue Ribbon Winner Slate Mountain Ramblers, fiddler Joe Thrift, Red Hots Man Alive, Donna the Buffalo, guitar player Charlie Pickford, Too Wet to Plow and bass player Bill Sly's Pilot Mountain Bobcats Too Wet to Plow Live. Okay, sounds like a pretty good album here. Let's give it a try and we'll try Shaving a Dead Man.

[Sam]

Ram.

[Jack Lewis]

Well, what did you think about that? Let's see if I can find another song that might have some of the other instruments playing along. Oh yes, let's give Cackling Hen a try. Okay, so I played your songs by four bands and now I need you to let me know what you think about them. Do I play these bands on my radio station or not? Give me your reasons for your choices. The bands in the order I played them Cold Creek Bluegrass Band, Wayne Scott, the fellow from Nashville, all for one the gospel bluegrass band Nancy Slides the Clawhammer Banjo Woman. Well, I'm going to have to sign off now because I need to go pack up my wagon. For the next two weeks I'll be on vacation, traveling with my wife from Virginia to California and back in our new roadtrek Motorhome. I think it has a lot more horses than those old wagons used to have. I will likely miss my next show and I'm sorry about that because I sure do enjoy all those nice emails. I've been receiving anyway. So until next time, this is Jack Lewis of Old Server Station Radio. Wishing you the very best.