Ozark Highlands Radio

This week, It’s Dulcimer Jamboree! A whole host of mountain & hammered dulcimer national champions recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with the some of these interesting and eclectic musicians. For over 35 years, Ozark Folk Center State Park has hosted the annual Dulcimer Jamboree. The annual event takes place in mid-April and features three days of specialized instruction and performances from the country’s top mountain and hammered dulcimer players. The mountain dulcimer remains one of the more popular folk instruments today. Its celebration in the Mountain View, Arkansas area as a core folk instrument has never waned over the years, with an active community of players and instrument makers. With origins dating back to Biblical times, the hammered dulcimer is an unique instrument in the percussion family. Like the mountain dulcimer, it found a home in the Ozark region among folk musicians and instrument makers alike. Music this week includes pe

This week, Ozark original multi-instrumentalist, composer, educator, audio engineer and OHR host, our very own Mark Jones recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with Mark as well as with his long time friend, country music superstar Marty Stewart. Anyone who listens to Ozark Highlands Radio will be familiar with the fun loving and friendly voice of Mark Jones, the keeper of our “Vault.” In August of 2021, we lost Mark to Covid-19. His passing was a profound loss to all of us, both professionally and personally. Please join us as we pay tribute to the life and legacy of our dear friend, Mark Jones. Mark Alan Jones was born in 1955 to Country Music Hall of Fame & Grand Ole Opry performers Louis "Grandpa" Jones and Ramona Jones in Nashville, Tennessee. As a young man, he toured across the country with his famous parents making appearances on the Grand Ole Opry and the television show "Hee Haw.” He performed with numerous other artists including the Willis Brothers, the Wright Bro

This week, Nashville, TN based high energy neo-traditional oldtime music sensation The Hogslop String Band returns to Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with this rowdy rabble. “Staying true to tradition while maintaining a bold irreverence is something that rarely goes hand-in-hand but Hogslop String Band manages to walk that line. With their roots in old-time string band music and their energy based in wild rock-and-roll, you could almost call them punk purists. It’s an unlikely combination, but given the talents of singer and fiddler Kevin Martin; guitarist, harmonica player and singer Gabriel Kelley; mandolin player and singer Will Harrison; banjo player and singer Daniel Binkley, and bassist and all-round entertainer Pickle, they pull it off with natural ease. The name alone hints at their wacky ways, but catching them live will give you a true sense of these bizarre, seemingly contradictory descriptions. They thrive on crossing genres, casting off the confines of straight old-time and

This week, Ozark original and Mountain View, Arkansas based seventeen year old award winning fiddle prodigy Mary Parker and her band of rising bluegrass superstars, Sylamore Special, recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with this up and coming fiddle wunderkind. For over ten years now, Mary Parker has been a regular performer here at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. That’s extraordinary, considering that she’s only now seventeen years old. The middle in her family of nine children, Mary has distinguished herself as a world class oldtime and bluegrass fiddle player and vocalist. She’s won ten state fiddle championships, as well as numerous bluegrass competitions with her many different bands. Most recently, her band “Sylamore Special” won first place at the Youth in Bluegrass Competition in Branson, Missouri. With her seemingly indefatigable sunny disposition and a voracious appetite for learning new music, Mary appears destined to carry on her already auspicious career in mu

This week, Gatlinburg, Tennessee based neo-traditional bluegrass quintet The Po' Ramblin’ Boys recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with Ramblin’ Boys guitarist and vocalist, Josh Rinkel. “At a time when most people feel constantly distracted by technology and barraged by the news, authenticity and straightforward honesty are paramount. There’s something about the music of The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys that cuts right through the noise of the world and speaks plainly to the soul. Formed in the Smoky Mountains, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys are at once exactly what you would expect and not at all what you would expect from a tattooed East Tennessee Bluegrass outfit. No strangers to hard work, the boys are as much at home riding in their restored Eagle tour bus as they are crawling underneath to fix it when it needs maintenance. But they take pride in being ambassadors of their genre, and the group has brought their music from rural bluegrass festival stages to the rock clubs of Europe, and eve

This episode continues our tour of places “you shouldn’t miss” and other remarkable spots along the 135 miles of America’s first national river, as well as where to find information about park events, facilities and services. Featured are interviews with park ranger & interpreter and Buffalo National River Partners Board member Kevin Middleton and Buffalo National River Partners Board Chairperson Terrie Martindale. In this special Ozark Highlands Radio series, author, folklorist and songwriter Charley Sandage celebrates 50 years of the Buffalo National River, America’s first national river. On March 1st, 1972, President Nixon signed the bill creating a new national park, the Buffalo National River. 2022, then, is a fiftieth anniversary, and Ozark Highlands Radio is joining the celebration. Everything that millions of visitors to the park have experienced on the Buffalo, or are planning to experience, will be here. The 135-mile jewel of a mountain river, the legendary bluffs, shoals for camping and swimm

This episode guides us on a tour of places “you shouldn’t miss” and other remarkable spots along the 135 miles of America’s first national river. Featured is an interview with park ranger & interpreter and Buffalo National River Partners Board member Kevin Middleton. In this special Ozark Highlands Radio series, author, folklorist and songwriter Charley Sandage celebrates 50 years of the Buffalo National River, America’s first national river. On March 1st, 1972, President Nixon signed the bill creating a new national park, the Buffalo National River. 2022, then, is a fiftieth anniversary, and Ozark Highlands Radio is joining the celebration. Everything that millions of visitors to the park have experienced on the Buffalo, or are planning to experience, will be here. The 135-mile jewel of a mountain river, the legendary bluffs, shoals for camping and swimming, forested trails to waterfalls, shelter caves, and historic sites, wildlife, including smallmouth bass and other species to challenge your fishing

This episode recalls early efforts to conserve and protect America’s first national river. Featured is an interview with long time area resident and photographer Ed Alexander, who’s father, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologist Harold Alexander was one of the early pioneers in seeking to protect the river. In this special Ozark Highlands Radio series, author, folklorist and songwriter Charley Sandage celebrates 50 years of the Buffalo National River, America’s first national river. On March 1st, 1972, President Nixon signed the bill creating a new national park, the Buffalo National River. 2022, then, is a fiftieth anniversary, and Ozark Highlands Radio is joining the celebration. Everything that millions of visitors to the park have experienced on the Buffalo, or are planning to experience, will be here. The 135-mile jewel of a mountain river, the legendary bluffs, shoals for camping and swimming, forested trails to waterfalls, shelter caves, and historic sites, wildlife, including smallmouth bas

This episode investigates the impact of human activity on the river environment and ecology, as well as policies and guidelines designed to mitigate such issues for America’s first national river. Featured are interviews with park ranger and interpreter Lauren Ray, park ranger & interpreter and Buffalo National River Partners Board member Kevin Middleton, and long time area resident and photographer Ed Alexander. In this special Ozark Highlands Radio series, author, folklorist and songwriter Charley Sandage celebrates 50 years of the Buffalo National River, America’s first national river. On March 1st, 1972, President Nixon signed the bill creating a new national park, the Buffalo National River. 2022, then, is a fiftieth anniversary, and Ozark Highlands Radio is joining the celebration. Everything that millions of visitors to the park have experienced on the Buffalo, or are planning to experience, will be here. The 135-mile jewel of a mountain river, the legendary bluffs, shoals for camping and swimmin

This episode describes the park staff and volunteer support structures as well as the immense logistical challenges of maintaining America’s first national river. Featured are interviews with Buffalo National River Chief of Interpretation Cassie Branstetter, area native and long time Buffalo National River staff member Zed Davenport, Buffalo National River Partners Board Chairperson Terrie Martindale, park ranger and interpreter Lauren Ray, and long time area resident and photographer Ed Alexander. In this special Ozark Highlands Radio series, author, folklorist and songwriter Charley Sandage celebrates 50 years of the Buffalo National River, America’s first national river. On March 1st, 1972, President Nixon signed the bill creating a new national park, the Buffalo National River. 2022, then, is a fiftieth anniversary, and Ozark Highlands Radio is joining the celebration. Everything that millions of visitors to the park have experienced on the Buffalo, or are planning to experience, will be here. The 1

This episode inventories natural resources and the history of economic activity around America’s first national river. Featured is an interview with park ranger & interpreter and Buffalo National River Partners Board member Kevin Middleton. In this special Ozark Highlands Radio series, author, folklorist and songwriter Charley Sandage celebrates 50 years of the Buffalo National River, America’s first national river. On March 1st, 1972, President Nixon signed the bill creating a new national park, the Buffalo National River. 2022, then, is a fiftieth anniversary, and Ozark Highlands Radio is joining the celebration. Everything that millions of visitors to the park have experienced on the Buffalo, or are planning to experience, will be here. The 135-mile jewel of a mountain river, the legendary bluffs, shoals for camping and swimming, forested trails to waterfalls, shelter caves, and historic sites, wildlife, including smallmouth bass and other species to challenge your fishing skills. This series is m

This episode recounts the controversy over, and political maneuvering that resulted in the creation of America’s first national river. Featured are interviews with writer, professor, and regular Ozark Highlands Radio contributor Dr. Brooks Blevins, and Buffalo River area native and long time Buffalo National River staff member Zed Davenport. In this special Ozark Highlands Radio series, author, folklorist and songwriter Charley Sandage celebrates 50 years of the Buffalo National River, America’s first national river. On March 1st, 1972, President Nixon signed the bill creating a new national park, the Buffalo National River. 2022, then, is a fiftieth anniversary, and Ozark Highlands Radio is joining the celebration. Everything that millions of visitors to the park have experienced on the Buffalo, or are planning to experience, will be here. The 135-mile jewel of a mountain river, the legendary bluffs, shoals for camping and swimming, forested trails to waterfalls, shelter caves, and historic sites, wild

This episode examines the history of human activity and historic cultural sites along America’s first national river. Featured is an interview with Buffalo National River archaeologist Suika Rivett. In this special Ozark Highlands Radio series, author, folklorist and songwriter Charley Sandage celebrates 50 years of the Buffalo National River, America’s first national river. On March 1st, 1972, President Nixon signed the bill creating a new national park, the Buffalo National River. 2022, then, is a fiftieth anniversary, and Ozark Highlands Radio is joining the celebration. Everything that millions of visitors to the park have experienced on the Buffalo, or are planning to experience, will be here. The 135-mile jewel of a mountain river, the legendary bluffs, shoals for camping and swimming, forested trails to waterfalls, shelter caves, and historic sites, wildlife, including smallmouth bass and other species to challenge your fishing skills. This series is made possible with cooperation from the Buf

This episode details planned park festivities for the 50th anniversary celebration year and profiles a unique volunteer support organization for America’s first national river, the Buffalo National River Partners. Featured are interviews with Buffalo National River Chief of Interpretation Cassie Branstetter and Buffalo National River Partners Board Chairperson Terrie Martindale. In this special Ozark Highlands Radio series, author, folklorist and songwriter Charley Sandage celebrates 50 years of the Buffalo National River, America’s first national river. On March 1st, 1972, President Nixon signed the bill creating a new national park, the Buffalo National River. 2022, then, is a fiftieth anniversary, and Ozark Highlands Radio is joining the celebration. Everything that millions of visitors to the park have experienced on the Buffalo, or are planning to experience, will be here. The 135-mile jewel of a mountain river, the legendary bluffs, shoals for camping and swimming, forested trails to waterfalls, s

This episode explores the myriad of wildlife that thrive both above and below the waters of America’s first national river. Featured are interviews with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologist Rachel Norton and Buffalo National River ecologist and aquatic wildlife specialist Shawn Hodges. In this special Ozark Highlands Radio series, author, folklorist and songwriter Charley Sandage celebrates 50 years of the Buffalo National River, America’s first national river. On March 1st, 1972, President Nixon signed the bill creating a new national park, the Buffalo National River. 2022, then, is a fiftieth anniversary, and Ozark Highlands Radio is joining the celebration. Everything that millions of visitors to the park have experienced on the Buffalo, or are planning to experience, will be here. The 135-mile jewel of a mountain river, the legendary bluffs, shoals for camping and swimming, forested trails to waterfalls, shelter caves, and historic sites, wildlife, including smallmouth bass and other species

This episode explains the geology and natural water systems that created and continue to sustain America’s first national river. Featured are interviews with Buffalo National River biological sciences technician Ashley Rodman and park ranger & interpreter and Buffalo National River Partners Board member Kevin Middleton. In this special Ozark Highlands Radio series, author, folklorist and songwriter Charley Sandage celebrates 50 years of the Buffalo National River, America’s first national river. On March 1st, 1972, President Nixon signed the bill creating a new national park, the Buffalo National River. 2022, then, is a fiftieth anniversary, and Ozark Highlands Radio is joining the celebration. Everything that millions of visitors to the park have experienced on the Buffalo, or are planning to experience, will be here. The 135-mile jewel of a mountain river, the legendary bluffs, shoals for camping and swimming, forested trails to waterfalls, shelter caves, and historic sites, wildlife, including smallm

This week, Cincinnati, Ohio based post-punk neo-folk acoustic oldtime string band The Tillers recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with The Tillers’ fearless leader, Mike Oberst. “The Tillers have been thumping their own distinctive sound of string band style folk music for a decade, riding it all over the country and across the sea. Four studio albums and one live record have won them praise as modern folk storytellers of the national soundscape. The band features Mike Oberst on banjo & vocals, Sean Geil on guitar & vocals, Joe Macheret on fiddle, and Aaron Geil on upright bass. “The Tillers got their start in August 2007 when they started thumping around with some banjos and guitars and a big wooden bass. Their look didn’t fit the stereotype. They were clearly recovering punk rockers with roots in city’s west side punk rock and hardcore scene. The punk influence gave their sound a distinctive bite, setting them apart from most other folk acts- a hard-driving percussive strum and

This week, outlaw country music icons the legendary Billy Don Burns and his protege Josh Morningstar recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews with these artistic outlaws. As country music moved towards a more slick commercial “Nashville sound” in the 1970s, some of its most notable artists bucked the trend. Influential country musicians such as Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings fought back against the major studios and won the right to record their music the way they wanted. With its roots in blues, honky tonk, rockabilly, and rock & roll, outlaw country has become a musical genre all its own. In Stone County, Arkansas, we have a legendary outlaw singer-songwriter right here in our community. Since the early days of outlaw country, Billy Don Burns has been a go to songwriter for artists like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. Now in his 70s, Billy Don is still at it. BDB crisscrosses the country on his Harley Davidson while producing hit songs recorded by country music legacy

This week, postmodern folk singer-songwriter McKain Lakey and neo-acoustic folk-rock duo Jamie Lou & Garrett Brolund recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with these innovative trouveurs. Artists featured on this week’s show embody the spirit of folk nouveau or “new folk.” They’ve taken in sounds and stories of traditional folk music as well as modern influences to build new sounds and stories bridging their own personal experiences to this ancient art. “Sometimes the pursuit of our greater humanity involves jumping into life head first. That’s what McKain Lakey does. You can tell by her songs.  Armed with George the trusty road cat, a carful of instruments, and all the fight of a rambling, rural-raised, queer femme wanderer, McKain Lakey is one to be reckoned with. She’s the rare human who feels as comfortable wielding a chisel as she does a guitar, who can be as often spotted behind the soundboard in a crowded venue as discussing the intersections o

This week, Ozark original singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Caleb Ryan Martin recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, interviews with Caleb. “Caleb Ryan Martin has, according to one reviewer, ‘a lonesome voice and rhythm that can at times invoke a lonesome ramblin' man sound, a voice that will haunt you with some type of mysterious mountain holler sound, like a banshee singing in the nether woods.’ Caleb Ryan Martin, an acoustic bluegrass, folk and roots musician hailing from the hills of Fayetteville, AR. Looking like a man from leaner and meaner times, Caleb has traveled and played music all across the Midwest and Gulf Coast region, singing with expressive vocals, playing guitar, and picking the banjo providing people with melodic medicine. Caleb currently averages between 150 - 200 shows a year, with no sign of slowing down.” https://www.reverbnation.com/calebryanmartin1 In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music