Ozark Highlands Radio is a weekly radio program that features live music and interviews recorded at Ozark Folk Center State Park’s beautiful 1,000-seat auditorium in Mountain View, Arkansas. In addition to the music, our “Feature Host” segments take listeners through the Ozark hills with historians, authors and personalities who explore the people, stories, and history of the Ozark region.

This week, Original Ozark Old Time phenomenon “The Lazy Goat String Band” performs live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, a performance from the dynamic mountain dulcimer duo Jack & Mary Giger, as well as interviews with “The Lazy Goat String Band” and Jack & Mary. Ozark Highlands Radio host Dave Smith and producer Jeff Glover discuss the fine points of what makes “folk music,” and Dave Smith offers Mark Jones an archival recording of, well, Mark Jones playing the traditional song “Arkansas Traveler,” in the clawhammer banjo style of his famous father, Grandpa Jones.

“Authentic, heartfelt, and relevant” are just a few words that folks have used to describe the Lazy Goat String Band. Consisting of Arkansas State Fiddle Champion Emily Phillips and the father/son duo of Scott and Samuel Blake (guitar/banjo,) the Lazy Goat String Band captures the sound and feel of pre-war musical ensembles like few other bands.  

Jack & Mary Giger have been regular performers at the Ozark Folk Center State Park for many years, and are active in a number of dulcimer events around Mountain View and Stone County, Arkansas.  The duo (husband and wife) perform traditional songs with Mary’s wonderful voice leading the way.

Ozark Highlands Radio host Dave Smith and producer Jeff Glover discuss the fine points of what makes “folk music,” drawing from interviews & perspectives of various folk musicians.

Mark Jones' “From the Vault” segment offers an archival recording of, well, Mark Jones playing the traditional song “Arkansas Traveler,” in the traditional clawhammer banjo style of his famous father, Grandpa Jones, from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives.