OHR Presents: Musical Families

This week, music by family, for family, and about family, performed by various artists recorded live at Ozark Folk Center State Park. Family life and ties are a big part of Ozark folk culture and music. Come on home with us to the Ozarks as we enjoy a little “family time,” celebrating the joy of familial bonding through song. Featured on this episode are a variety of artists including A.J. Croce, The Purple Hulls, Thom Bresh, Lukas & Eden Pool, The Gordons, The Honey Dewdrops, The Creek Rocks, The Lazy Goat String Band, The Weide Family, The Vogts Sisters, Love Hollar, and the Grandpa Jones Family Band. We’ll hear songs by, for, and about family, many of them written by the artists themselves. In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, musician, educator, and country music legacy Mark Jones offers a 1981 archival recording of Ozark originals, husband & wife team Jim & Denise Lansford performing the song “Are You From Dixie” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives. In this week’s guest host segment, renowned traditional folk musician, writer, and step dancer Aubrey Atwater explores the strange tradition of “counting songs,” songs that feature counting numbers as part of their lyrics and meaning. This episode includes, among other examples, the song “Bluebird,” written by folk music legend Jean Ritchie for her young sons.