Bluegrass Champs - Bluegrass Champs: Live from The Don Owens Show (CD) | Mint Mint

This recording is as much about rockabilly, 50's country and blues as it is about bluegrass - more a hybrid by a young, but seasoned, combo in changing musical times. The Bluegrass Champs held their own or even bested other Washington D.C. talents like Roy Clark, Patsy Cline, Link Wray and Charlie Daniels. They had spent most all of their lives in music and in the late 1950's were soaking up all the new sounds without denying airy mountain roots. As houseband on the Don Owens Show, they were often called upon to back guest singers and players. Jimmy Stoneman's upright bass playing kept the thunderous sound tight as a drum with unerring competence. Donna Stoneman's bright, chirping mandolin style and dancing stage presence upstaged all her male counterparts and even Patsy Cline in her most risque outfit. Brother Van's rhythm guitar solidified the sound and his whooping and hollering added real heart to the Champs' sound. This album spotlights the Bluegrass Champs and their performances on the Don Owen's show. Recorded by Leon Kagarise directly from an episode of the TV Broadcast, this record also showcases the jamboree nature of the program, including live commercial reads and commentary by Don Owens himself.

• Media Condition: Mint
• Sleeve Condition: Mint
• Format Detail: CD Wallet
• Format: CD
• Label: Yep Roc Records
• Catalog Number: CD-YEP-2555