The WBT Briarhoppers Need Help!

We are in search of the tape for the Fred Kirby Show that aired on 5/8/77. This was the show that brought together the WBT Briarhoppers: Big Bill Davis; Don White; Whitey and Hogan; Shannon Grayson; Hank Warren; Claude Casey; and of course, Fred.

One has to exist somewhere. If you know anybody at WBTV, and any old-timers who may have information, we would appreciate it if you would make inquiries. It would be great to resurrect that show one more time. Thanks.

WBT's Rick Jackson Making An Exciting Jump!

Left to right: Dwight Moody; Tom Warlick; Rick Jackson

WBT's GM, Rick Jackson, is taking an important job in managing 4 radio stations in San Diego with his former employer, Lincoln Financial.



Rick is a great friend to all and especially to the WBT Briarhoppers! He was there when the BHoppers had its "official" debut this past April at the Tosco Music Part and was truly excited that we were carrying on an important tradition. If there is a party for Rick, we would like to play!

Our hope is that Rick continues to fulfill his ambitions with his family and his job. We also hope that whoever replaces Rick will treasure WBT's past and future as Rick does.



Good luck, old friend! You will be missed.



http://www.charlotteobserver.com/topstories/story/1016056.html

A Photo from Dwight Moody Day!

We posted last month of the Dwight Moody Day celebration in Dwight Briarhopper's hometown of LaCrosse, VA. Well, Dwight sent me a photo of his family on stage. From left to right: Trent Moody (mostly hidden); Dwight; Jackson Moody on mandolin; Josh Moody on drums; Carlton Moody; Dave Moody. This was one big to-do and Dwight deserved every second.

The Briarhopper Book Wins An Award!

Tom and Lucy Warlick went down to Morehead City, NC, to accept a 2009 NC Society of Historian's
"Willie Parker Peace History Book Award" for "WBT Briarhoppers: Eight Decades of a Bluegrass Band Made For Radio," (McFarland Publishing).

Since 1941, this society has given awards for books that promote NC history. Willie Parker Peace was an historian and philanthropist in Henderson, NC, who worked with the Society until her death in 1963.

There were a total of 777 entries for awards in 2009; the Briarhopper book was one of the few selected for several awards.

Judges commented on the book, "We were deep into the text of this book before we realized we were supposed to be judging it! The well-researched text is enhanced with some vintage photographs and visuals that take the reader on a trip down memory lane. There aren't many books one can say that about....don't be surprised to find that you're tapping your foot to the rhythm of the Briarhoppers 'revived,' and feeling at home with each member...a must for anyone interested in bluegrass."

The drive was a long one to Morehead City, but there are now new fans of the WBT Briarhoppers!

Another Historic Find!

Here is another gem I located in my old files...The Crazy Tennessee Ramblers! From March 1933 to the fall of 1934, Crazy Water Crystals fielded a radio show on WBT which featured local musicians in promoting their product of the same name. In this photo, you will see Harry Blair (top row in the middle) and "Curley" Cecil Campbell (seated to the right), who were also members of the WBT Briarhoppers in the 1930s and 1940s. Too bad we can't have radio shows like that anymore! Also note the banjo player, Fisher Hendley of the Aristrocratic Pigs band...that Gibson he is playing is the one that was sold to Snuffy Jenkins who traded it to Don Reno who then traded it to Earl Scruggs, and Earl plays it today. It is considered the most expensive banjo in the world.

Isn't eBay Great!

Fresh from eBay....WBT Briarhopper announcer and Golden Age Radio Star, Grady Cole!

Help make Sunshine Briarhopper's video go viral!

At the suggestion of WBT's Keith Larson, Sunshine Briarhopper (posing as Alana Flowers) wrote a song that questions the 40 seconds we need to take to wash our hands to avoid the H1N1 flubug. With Producer Mark, they made a video of the song which can be found on Keith's website http://larson.wbt.com/index.cfm;jsessionid=2a308d091e17b1750fae287a6e1038533542

It may not become the WBT Briarhoppers new theme song, but it is a dandy!

WBT Briarhopper Friends - - - The Rangers Quartet

Tom Briarhopper recently purchased a songbook of The Rangers Quartet, who, along with the BHoppers, had popular radio shows on WBT.

Here is one of the pictures inside the book: The Rangers Quartet .I am guessing he was the announcer. Thanks to legendary broadcaster Doug Bell, those in the picture are (standing left to right): Arnolds Hyles; Walter Leverette; Dennis Crumpler; Vernon Hyles. At the piano, Little Billie Burton says that is Charlie Friar.

Hit's Briarhopper Time!

Go to www.myspace.com/tomwarlick and listen to some original compositions, including the currently-popular "Hit's Briarhopper Time!" Tom, aka "Curly," sings and plays all of the instruments you hear on the songs. On "Hit's Briarhopper Time," Tom used a snipet from a 1942 Briarhopper radio show. All of the song was written around the strong A-chord that either Whitey Grant or Fred Kirby hits to start their song. We hope you enjoy it!

Matthews 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off and Bluegrass Fest!

The WBT Briarhoppers won't be there, but Tom Briarhopper and the Clover Feed & Seed Band will be performing at the Matthews 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off and Bluegrass Fest at Stumptown Park in Matthews, NC, on Saturday, November 7, 2009, beginning at 11AM. Celebrating its 10th year, Clover Feed & Seed is recognized by the Charlotte Observer and the Herald of Rock Hill as one of the main groups who brought bluegrass music back to the Metrolina area. Through their work, there are many jam sessions in the Mecklenburg/York County region and international music stars know this region due to CF&S.

I think Dwight Briarhopper will be there playing with a few bands and maybe we can get him and Trent on stage with CF&S! Come on out and see if that happens!

My How Far We Have Come!

If you have not purchased the WBT Briarhopper book (and why not?), you missed a great picture like this one, taken in the early 1950s at the Union Christmas Party held in the Cooleemee School Auditorium in Cooleemee, NC. This picture comes from the Cooleemee Historical Society who gave us permission to use the picture in the book.

Here is Fred Kirby, with his horse, Calico, in a segregated hall. Yes, we have come a long way from those times. When Fred started, he didn't have Calico. It was Charles Crutchfield who told the radio show listeners that Fred, "with his horse Calico," would be ambling to the microphone. People started asking Fred where in the heck was Calico, so he got him a horse! No telling how many Calicoes there were.

Fred came to mind when my cousin said she went up to Tweetsie Railroad and said that she missed the Singing Cowboy. "Take me back/To my boots/And skee-dattle!"

Dwight Moody Day in Lacrosse, VA

The Town of Lacrosse proclaimed September 19, 2009, as “Dwight L. Moody Jr. Day”. Dwight’s long journey began in Lacrosse and was the launching pad to share his music in 28 countries around the world, plus Southeast Asia and South America. Dwight credits three things that made his life a success, first when he made Christ the center of his life, second when Christ gave him Cathy, his wife to share his life with for fifty years, and third, the day he was asked to become a Rotarian. All of these events made it possible for him to share his love of music.

You are invited to attend the celebration with Dwight and friends at “The Commerce Center” (the former Lacrosse High School) auditorium located on Carter Street in Lacrosse. There will be a free concert presented by Dwight and his sons, The Moody Brothers and his seven grandchildren, beginning at 7 PM.

The family will be staying at The South Hill Hampton Inn, 200Thompson Road, South Hill, Virginia. You can make reservations by calling 434-447-4600. Tell the desk clerk you are with the “The Moody Family” to receive a discount for your nights stay.

Come help celebrate this very special day with Dwight and his family.

The WBT Briarhoppers Through The Years!

Wow! The WBT Briarhoppers in 1938!

I got this off of eBay a while back and thought you might enjoy it. Peruna was advertised as an iron tonic, but it was about 40 proof. In the "Crutchfield Chronicle," a one-time tabloid created for Charles Crutchfield's retirement party, Crutch is quoted as saying, "The stuff (Peruna) sold like hotcakes...My mother for example, who was a tee-totaler and wouldn't let even a glass of wine in the house, used to drink it like water. What she didn't know was that this 'Pee-Rooney" was about 40-proof. She --and about half of the Piemont Carolinas--went around with half-a-buzz on most of the time, but they were happy--as were we all."

The WBT Briarhoppers at Allison Creek Church

The WBT Briarhoppers rode again at Allison Creek Church in York, SC, on August 6, 2009. Approximately 300 people attended, of which we heard numerous times, "this is the most people we have had here in ages!" We also had help from guest musicians Richard Hollis, Hurricane Hannah Flowers of fiddle, and Dillon Flowers on mandolin. If you didn't see it, you missed a ton of great music and comedy! Thanks to Producer Mark Thomas and Lucy Warlick for the pictures!

The Carolina Hayride

This two pages are from the December 1947 issue of "Barn Dance Song and Picture Magazine." The Carolina Hayride was recorded live at a local armory and the transcription disks were sent to CBS Radio where they were beamed to the WWII soldiers overseas.

Blast from the Past!

OK, here is a record label from Bluebird Records noting that Fred Kirby and Don White are "singing with guitars." This is from 1936. What a great picture from the Golden Age of Recording.

Billy Anne Newman Carson Passes

In the 1930s and 1940s, Billy Anne was a radio star and torch/jazz singer on WBT with the Dixie Jamboree and performed with The Tommy Dorsey Band, The WBT Briarhoppers, and The Johnson Family. Billy died on July 15, 2009, after a brief illness. She was a hoot when we interviewed her for the WBT Briarhopper book; she will be sorely missed.

More Pix From Sky Show 2009!

Here are more pictures from WBT's Jessica Reeves during the 2009 Sky Show!

The WBT Briarhoppers at the 2009 WBT Sky Show!

Oh boy, Knights Stadium was sold out at approximately 17,000 people and the WBT Briarhoppers were given the opportunity to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch. Alana "Sunshine Briarhopper" Flowers sang "America The Beautiful" to the crowd prior to the fireworks. Afterwards, we took the stage outside the stadium and played for about 1.5 hours to as many as 500 people at a time. We thank WBT's Rick Jackson, Jessica Reeves, Producer Mark and his wife, the WBT radio team, and the Charlotte Knights for allowing us to spend our 4th of July with them! Also, we thank Jessica Reeves for the superb photography!

The WBT Briarhoppers waiting on-deck to go to the field

The BHoppers playing to 17,000 people

Sunshine Briarhopper singing "America The Beautiful" before the fireworks

Finally, playing to throngs outside the stadium

The WBT Briarhopper Business Card in Good Surroundings!

Whilst in Paris, we (Lucy, Tom, Erin & Anthony Mohr) took Margie Moody to a few special spots in town. At an underground establishment which serves great wine, the establishment's owner put our business card on a support beam with other cards. Who would've guessed that our card was situated next to a business card from Gibson Instrument Company!

Tom Briarhopper in Paris!

Left to right: Erin Mohr; Margie Moody; Lucy Warlick; Tom Briarhopper

Yessiree, Tom Briarhopper and his bride, Lucy, went to visit their daughter, Erin, who lives in Paris. Guess who we ran into at a restaurant? Margie Moody, Carlton's wife and Dwight Briarhopper's daughter-in-law. A grand hoedown was had by all! No music but a lot of food. Could we see the BHoppers playing in Paris? Hmmm...

Tosco Music Party!

Yessiree, the WBT Briarhoppers took the stage at the Tosco Music Festival and, according to all accounts, burned up the stage with "Wait Till The Sun Shines, Nellie," "Keep On The Sunny Side," and "Muleskinner Blues" which was played at about 300 miles per hour.

Fiddlin' Dwight Moody, Trent Moody, Alana Flowers, and Tom Warlick were pleased to have WBT producer Mark Thomas, Mark's wife Sue, and WBT GM Rick Jackson there to cheer us on. Pictures, a DVD, and a CD will be forthcoming from John Tosco. Keep checking this site for updates!

UPDATE! Here's some pix...

Trivia Question

What is WBT's radio host Tara Servatius' connection to the WBT Briarhoppers. It will surprise you; it will surprise Tara as well! Use the "Comment" section below to answer!

Earl Scruggs in Charlotte

Earl was at Ovens Auditorium on 4/11/09 and performed as "Earl Scruggs and Friends." With him were sons Gary and Randy Scruggs and other stellar performers including fiddler Hoot Hester. Earl appeared to have a cold at this performance and seemed pretty frail (he turned 85 in January) but performed with the group on all the songs in the almost 2-hour set. There was no mistaking that famous picking style and the equally-famous banjo that was once owned by Fisher Hendley (former WBT radio star), Don Reno, and former WBT radio star Snuffy Jenkins.

In the 1950s, the WBT Briarhoppers were on the road without a banjo player. Earl Scruggs stepped in for one performance, according to Whitey Grant's interview with Rounder Record's Bill Nowlin.