Today’s post was written by Paul.
Charlie Louvin
The clever song I’m sharing today appeared on the Charlie Louvin Album called “Bluegrass Style.” I believe “The Mother of Bluegrass” was recorded around 1993. Back in the late 90’s, I was lucky enough to find and buy a copy of the album through County Sales in Floyd, VA.
This song was written by Randal Hylton, who wrote one other track for the album. If you can find the album, I highly recommend it. Every single track is excellent. Lord willing, I will do some more tracks from the album in the future.
The reason I chose to upload this one is that Wayde Powell, III and I were having a text discussion the other night about who truly originated bluegrass music. Wayde hit me with the following analogy that he made up: “Earl was the true father. Bill was just the doctor that happened to be on call when the baby was delivered.” 🙂 I thought that was a very clever analogy.
I don’t necessarily agree that Earl Scruggs was the true father of bluegrass, but I do agree that his playing of 3-finger style banjo on the Opry in 1943 probably had more to do with the surge in popularity of the music than any other single thing. Quite a few folks say that Earl invented 3-finger/rolling banjo playing, but my “research” indicates that Don Reno was doing the same thing at the same time (at least as early as 1940 or 41), just without the exposure that Scruggs found as a member of the Bluegrass Boys. Reno was also drafted into WWII and spent several years serving in Burma while bluegrass was getting its commercial start.
Some folks, like music promoter Carlton Haney, point to the instrumentation package that Monroe had in his band (fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, bass) as an indication that Monroe “fathered” bluegrass. The problem with that assertion, however, is that many Appalachian bands used the same configuration of instruments years, if not decades, before Monroe’s band.
The truth is that musicians influence musicians in many ways, like dominoes falling into each other, and it’s nigh impossible to give credit to someone, in a strict sense, for “starting” a style.
A friend of mine often cites Chet Atkins as starting finger-style guitar, but the fact is that Merle Travis was doing it long before Chet came along. I learned recently from the great Doyle Dykes that before Merle learned, others were pioneering finger-style guitar.
During my conversation with Wayde, I asked him if he had heard the song that Charlie put out about the mother of bluegrass. When he said no, I tried unsuccessfully to find it online. Since I could not find it, I decided to just sing it and upload it, so that he could hear it. I think he will get a kick out of it. 🙂
Hope you enjoyed this humorous song!
Paul
Original singles released on Spotify.
Shepherd of My Soul (Album released in 2016).
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Great playing and singing Paul. made me giggle as I listened.
I loved the song! Such a talented family. It hardly seems fair to those of us who are not musically inclined. Oh well at least we get to listen to those who are! You keep singing and I’ll keep listening.
Fun song Paul! You are so talented. Grammy from Texas
Funny song! You sang it well, Paul!
Thanks, Paul! Enjoyed your song.
Funny song…I especially loved your guitar picking this morning.
Cute, peppy song! Thanks Paul. Have a wonderful Sunday!!
Fun song, Love it, thanks Paul.
Paul, I think you must have a couple of books in that head of yours. You would know best but there must be some facets of music that you have invested time and attention to that would fill a vacant place in music history.I also suspect you could enjoy that in spite of the work involved. And as to “mother of” or “father of”, what is that quote, something about nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has come? Just seems like great ideas kinda appear and have lots of input from many people but some one or a few get the title of originator. Those credited, if they have humility and honesty, will say “No, it wasn’t me. I just helped it along.” I think maybe behind the humor that is a point of “The Mother of Bluegrass”? By the way, how did it get the name ” bluegrass” anyway?
I think “bluegrass” came from ” “Bluegrass State” in reference to Kentucky bluegrass, a species of grass.” Kentucky was Bill Monroe’s home state. From what I’ve read bluegrass isn’t even native to Kentucky.
That’s a hoot – and a great job delivering it, Paul
Well, who’d of thunk it! Sounds like the mother of bluegrass had quite a past.
thank you Paul God bless you very much,
I liked Paul’s guitar playing on this song. Like others I have just assumed Bill Monroe started bluegrass music, but I think there were also many others too. What about Mother Maybelle Carter? Maybe her music would not be considered bluegrass music. I love the true old time style of bluegrass music, especially gospel bluegrass. I have recently found a group on you tube that I have been listening too lately singing the old gospel hymns I grew up with and still sing at my church. It is a Mennonite family (Brandenberger Family) on you tube. I could listen to them singing Just A Closer Walk With Thee all day long. I especially like listening to the lady playing the dobro. In my opinion they are about as good as it gets. I have heard it said with bluegrass music you can either do it or you can’t, there are no electric instruments to help you out.
35 degrees and a light frost this morning. Yesterday I saw the blackberry vines blooming so according to my Daddy it is now safe to begin planting.
Hey Randy, I love the Brandenburg Family’s music too! I found them this last year. You leave some great comments! I enjoy reading all the comments almost as much as Tipper’s vlog/blog (whatever it’s called! Grammy from Texas
I think that’s a lap steel not a dobro the lady is playing. A lap steel is played on your lap, horizontally. The strings are raised way too high to chord with your fingers. A dobro is played vertically like a regular guitar. A dobro can be played with a slide but doesn’t have to be. They are similar in appearance because both have a big metal resonator to aid in projecting the sound out but they produce an entirely different sound, at least to my ears. I could be wrong and often am. I hope you or somebody else will correct me if I am wrong.
A lap steel can be played standing but is still held horizontally from a strap around your neck.
Cute song!
Love it, Paul. Wade needs to be on more, I haven’t seen anything from him in ages.
I’ll just leave this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cx2sRHOd1Y
I totally agree! That’s the kind of bluegrass I want to hear!
I agree completely!