Album of the Week, Sep. 27, 2023: Rising Sun Melodies by Ola Belle Reed

Thu, 09/28/2023 - 9:00am | kdrtradio

Music programs are only online for two weeks after they are broadcast.

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Today's Album of the Week compiles performances recorded in the 1970s by Ola Belle Reed. It's called Rising Sun Melodies.

From Smithsonian Folkways: "Ola Belle Reed was a trailblazing force for women in bluegrass music, an Appalachian woman of hard-earned talent and generous ways who delivered honest music sung from the heart. Her songs 'I've Endured,' 'High on the Mountain,' 'My Epitaph,' and many others forge real-life experiences into music steeled with determination, family tradition, and commanding presence.

"[These] classic tracks ... remind us why the light of Ola Belle's music shines brightly to this day."

About Frank aka Dr Doowop Fox

Born on a mountain top , no no Brooklyn Brownsville East NY, raised on Jewish , African American and Latin music from the moment my ears were aware. Founder and vocal arranger for Frankie and The Fabletones, , acappella ensembles AKA, Spirit Feel, Full House, Doo Wop after Dark. Back in the 20th, hit recordings of Unchained Melody and Gloria and novelty versions of Hello Dolly and High Noon, with Vito and The Salutations. Been singing ever since i can recall, love to sing everything but especially the blues. Singing harmony instructor since 1956- in Davis since 1983, classes at Learning Exchange Experimental College Davis Art Center, currently pursuing a new career as a KDRT DJ.

About Nancy Flagg

Nancy (Western Nan) hosted the "Cowboy Spirit" program, with Jen, in the early days of KDRT. Nancy is now back with the "Cowboy Tracks" program. She's on a mission to preserve and promote the cowboy/western music heritage and to offer western music, western swing and cowboy poetry as a healing balm for today's hectic world.

About Wayne Hagen

Wayne is a founding member of the California Jug Band Association (CJBA) and a member of its Board of Directors. In 2002 Wayne and his banjo-playing buddy Andy began the International Jug Band Festival in Sutter Creek, California. The festival has given birth to new jug band festivals as far away as Louisville, Kentucky, as well as the CJBA.

Wayne has been playing jug since 1979 and he'll pull out his jug and play with anyone. He also tries to play the mandolin and is a big fan of Vol Stevens and Yank Rachell. His passion for jug band music has turned him into a walking encyclopedia of the genre. Go ahead, ask him a question -- we dare ya. He says that getting a chance to share his love for jug band music on KDRT is a great joy.