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- The Ebony Hillbillies
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- Amber Edwards
Evergreen profile of African-American country string band, "The Ebony Hillbillies".
SUGGESTED STUDIO INTRO:
First there were the Beverly Hillbillies?gleefully embracing every hick stereotype ever imagined, all the way to the bank. Now another group of Hillbillies is turning those stereotypes inside out, as Amber Edwards reports.....
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Piece Description
Evergreen profile of African-American country string band, "The Ebony Hillbillies". SUGGESTED STUDIO INTRO: First there were the Beverly Hillbillies?gleefully embracing every hick stereotype ever imagined, all the way to the bank. Now another group of Hillbillies is turning those stereotypes inside out, as Amber Edwards reports.....
3 Comments
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Review of The Ebony HillbilliesThis piece works does double duty, informs us about The Ebony Hillbillies and some unknown, at least it was to me, historical facts about music. The band members explain the make-up of the band's instruments, share the history of the banjo, and why certain musical styles became identified with certain group of people. An entertaining and informational piece with some song clips you will enjoy. |
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The Ebony Hillbillies ReviewBluegrass? Folk? Blues? I don't know, but the Ebony Hillbillies sound rich and country. First ocra, now Banjos from Africa? I had no idea do much white Southern culture didn't originate in the Old World. If you have the time, listen to this. Enlightening, fun, and socially concious --come learn the odd truth behind "Yellow Rose of Texas." |
Broadcast History
Segment aired in April 2005 on WBGO-FM's Journal, the newsmagazine of the Newark, NJ jazz station (which does not carry NPR newsmagazines.) It subsequently won a First Prize Award from the New York Association of Black Journalists in February, 2006.
Timing and Cues
Self-contained except for Studio Intro. There is music pad at the end. So the Total Running Time, listed as 6:30, can be as short as 6:13 or as long as 6:41.
Musical Works
All songs recorded live in performance, 2/19/05, in Newark, NJ, except where noted: 1) ?Cotton Eye Joe?, traditional, :00 - :37 2) ?Frankie & Johnny?, traditional, :50 - 1:16 3) ?Liza Jane?, traditional, 1:39 - 2:24 4) ?Rock Along John?, traditional, 2:26 - 3:05 5) ?John Henry?, traditional, 3:12 - 3:48 6) ?Bonaparte?s Retreat?, traditional, 4:05 - 4:54 7) ?The Old Carpenter?s Waltz?, traditional, 5:00 - 5:24 8) ?The Yellow Rose of Texas?, Elvis Presley, 1963, from ?A Legendary Performer - Volume 5", by Elvis Australia/Madison, 5:24 - 5:46 9) ?John Henry?, traditional, 5:49 - 6:40
Additional Files
- press photo of Ebony Hillbillies (EHsepianames.jpg)
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Steve Yasko
Posted on June 19, 2005 at 08:45 AM | Permalink
A Nice Reminder that We are A Varied World
But for the most part, Bluegrass is one of those things we want to adore on air, but kind puts our collective guts in a wrench.
This piece is the way to bring this music to the air! It's essentially a news magazine piece, but I could see AAA stations incorporating this into either their morning shows or specialty hours. Heck, mixing race issues and bluegrass--That is SO SO SO public radio and done in a way only we know how to do it!
The editing it tight, the story well told. New information is given...the bite on how music decreased deaths on slave ships is a downright wow factor! Some of the levels were a bit muffly but nothing too terrible.
What I liked most about this piece is the deft use of music under the voices. It kept me engaged and signaled some pacing changes when the music was not being used as specific example. Masterful!
Thanks for making great radio we can all use!
I only hope those folks in Congress can listen to this piece to know why public radio is crucial to a successful American Democracy. (Can't help being a GM!)