This week, a special road trip episode. OHR visits Rogers, Arkansas’ Railyard Live Concert Series featuring Southwest Missouri based experimental post-oldtime neo-folk duo The Spooklights recorded live at Railyard Park in Rogers.

Rogers, Arkansas’ Railyard Live Concert Series began in 2021. Held on the city’s Butterfield Stage next to Railyard Park in historic downtown Rogers, it features live concerts every weekend throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall. All of the Railyard Live events are either free to the public or at very low cost of admission. The concert series features a wide array of musical styles and interests designed to appeal to the diverse population of Rogers and invite them to experience the newly revitalized Railyard Entertainment District. The Ozark Folk Center State Park and the City of Rogers, Arkansas partnered to bring Ozark Highlands Radio to capture a little slice of this modern Ozark culture.

“Banjos and beats. Slide guitar and synth. Strange lights flickering in the woods. The Spooklights are what happens when Ozark tradition collides with homemade electronic wizardry. Ben Miller and Pat Kay — stalwarts of Midwest mountain music — soldered their roots to circuitry, creating a jangle-stomp time machine to explore hillbilly music from another dimension. Part folklore, part science fiction, their sound is familiar and otherworldly all at once: ancient, yet from some distant future.

Banjos and synthesizers... Dulcimers and wubs... Strange flashing lights... Unexplained phenomena... The Spooklights is a collaboration that is not what anyone would have expected from these two renowned torchbearers of Ozark mountain music tradition heretofore. It's certainly not what they expected when they traded keys to one another's bunker of busted toys and forlorn experiments during the lockdown of a global pandemic. 

From a pile of spare parts and fringe ideas, these industrious cobblers of homemade gear soldered a few choice wires between Electronic Music and their trademark "Ozark Stomp Grass" producing a jangle-stomp time-machine to vessel their most bizarre implements and soundscapes. In it, they have embarked on a journey exploring hillbilly music from a distant future. Hop on in, y'all. It’s only weird the first time.

Where does the name come from? What is the Spooklight? The Spooklight (also called the Hornet Spooklight, Hollis Light and Joplin Spooklight) is a paranormal light enigma near Route 66 southwest of Joplin, MO along a farm road called E 50, colloquially known as ‘Spooklight Road.’”

- https://stompgrass.com/the-spooklights

In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, OHR producer Jeff Glover offers a 1974 archival recording of the legendary songwriter and Ozark original, Jimmy Driftwood, performing one of his more unusual songs, “The Lonesome Ape,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives.

In his segment “Back in the Hills,” author, professor and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins discusses some notable early song collectors in Springfield, Missouri.

This week, Tennessee based old-time string quartet The Stones River Reelers recorded live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park’s annual Stringband Music & Arts Festival.

Every October, the Ozark Folk Center State Park holds its annual Stringband Music & Arts Festival. It’s two days of lively stringband music & dance, handcrafted art, fine Southern cuisine, and old-fashioned fun. The festival includes live shows on Friday and Saturday featuring acclaimed bands from the Ozarks and beyond.

The Stones River Reelers are a Tennessee based traditional oldtime quartet. Self described as “Hardcore traditional music from the heart of the Volunteer State,” they are Andrew Larson on guitar, Michal Klug on fiddle, Seth Shumate playing harmonica, and Aaron Stephens on banjo. The Reelers recreate not only the sound but also the feel and flair of early American “hillbilly” dance music of the 78 speed records era. Why do they do it? According to their website: “Like all the great old-timers, we play this venerated music to avoid hard labor.” - https://stonesriverreelers.com/about

In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, OHR producer Jeff Glover offers a 1974 archival recording of original OHR host and clawhammer banjo Jedi Mark Jones along with Lynn Young, performing the traditional song “John Henry,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives.

In his segment “Back in the Hills,” writer, professor and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins discusses the exact location of the Ozark region. Where the Ozarks are and where they’re not.

This week, Virginia based old-time string quartet The Earl White Stringband recorded live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park’s annual Stringband Music & Arts Festival. Also, interviews with Earl White.

Every October, the Ozark Folk Center State Park holds its annual Stringband Music & Arts Festival. It’s two days of lively stringband music & dance, handcrafted art, fine Southern cuisine, and old-fashioned fun. The festival includes live shows on Friday and Saturday featuring acclaimed bands from the Ozarks and beyond.

“Fiddling Earl White has been a mainstay in the old-time, folk and dance community for more than 45 years.  An original and founding member of the famed Green Grass Cloggers, he is one of few Black Americans preserving and playing Appalachian old time string band music, which was an intricate part of Black communities and formed the foundation of American music of today.  Earl is well known for his extensive repertoire of tunes, and his heartfelt, compact, driving style.  He has played in numerous old time string bands, and he currently leads the Earl White String Band, featuring Victor Furtado (banjo), Jim Nelson (guitar), and Dido Norris (bass). White runs the Big Indian Farm Artisan Bakery with his wife in rural Virginia. He also teaches private lessons, hosts jams and (when we’re lucky) comes down to Raleigh to play a PineCone Square Dance.” - https://pinecone.org/artists/earl-white/

In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, OHR producer Jeff Glover offers a 1974 archival recording of legendary balladeer Aunt Ollie Gilbert, performing the traditional song “A Rock in the Weary Land,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives.

In his segment “Back in the Hills,” writer, professor and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins profiles Ollie Gilbert’s husband, folk singer Oscar Gilbert.

This week, world renown bluegrass and old-time music virtuosos and educators Tony Trischka & Bruce Molsky recorded live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park’s annual Arkansas Old-time Fiddle & Banjo Championships. Also, performances from the 2025 contest champions, fiddler Gwyneth Davis of Petit Jean Mountain, AR and banjoist Erik Brashers of Eureka Springs, AR.

Each year, the Ozark Folk Center State Park hosts the Arkansas Old-time Fiddle & Banjo Championships. Competitors ranging in age from eight to eighty come from all over to test their skills and possibly be crowned a champion. World class musicians are brought in judge these contests and also perform on the Folk Center’s evening concert. At the 2025 contest we were honored to have as our judges and performers, Tony Trischka & Bruce Molsky.

Tony Trischka was born in Syracuse, NY and raised in a home filled with music. There were broadway scores and a sweeping range of classical music, from Stravinsky to Beethoven. The wide-open American vistas of Aaron Copland had an especially potent spiritual and visceral impact on him, as did the folk music his left-leaning father held dear. The Almanac Singers, the solo work of its founding members Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger, and Lead Belly’s children’s lp were in constant rotation. Trischka fell in love with the banjo by way of the Kingston Trio’s 1959 recording of “M.T.A.,” and was able to experience the New York-centered folk revival by trekking to the Newport Folk Festival in the early to mid-’60s. He moved to the city in the early ’70s and hit the ground running, settling in among a peer group of extraordinary musicians who saw American roots music as a thriving, living language that could be expanded and combined with other influences and sensibilities.

- https://www.tonytrischka.com/bio

Grammy-nominated, described as “an absolute master” (No Depression), Bruce Molsky transports audiences to another time and place, with his authentic and personal interpretations of rarities from the Southern Appalachian songbook and other musical traditions from around the globe. Best known for his work on the fiddle, Bruce’s banjo, guitar and his distinctive, powerful vocals also resonate with listeners. His combination of technical virtuosity and relaxed conversational wit makes a concert hall feel like an intimate front porch gathering.  Bruce's take on tradition has landed him in collaborations with some of the world's most highly respected players from roots to rock.

https://brucemolsky.com/bio

In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, OHR producer Jeff Glover offers a 1985 archival recording of a notable contest fiddler from the past, Alison Krauss, performing the traditional tune “Gardenia Waltz,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives.

In his segment “Back in the Hills,” writer, professor and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins discusses the etymology of the name Ozark.

This week, Ozark original up and coming traditional bluegrass quartet Spillwater Drive recorded live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park’s Bluegrass & Fried Chicken Festival weekend.

Each August, the Ozark Folk Center State Park in scenic Mountain View, Arkansas hosts its Bluegrass & Fried Chicken Festival. The event brings a full weekend of down home crafts, soul food and soulful bluegrass music. Bands at the festival range from local acts to some of the most celebrated groups in modern bluegrass music.

Spillwater Drive is a traditional four piece bluegrass group from the Arkansas and Missouri Ozarks region. An Arkansas Country Music Awards winner, the band brings bell ringing vocal harmonies, superb instrumental virtuosity and unstoppable energy. Spillwater Drive features Adam Ash of Gateway, Arkansas on banjo, Mountain View’s very own Samuel Cobb on mandolin, Gary Cook from Monett, Missouri on upright acoustic bass, and from Washburn, Missouri, Jake Stogdill on the acoustic guitar.

- https://www.spillwaterdrive.com/meet-the-band

In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, OHR producer Jeff Glover offers a 1987 archival recording of honorary Ozark originals The Grandpa Jones Family, featuring Grandpa, Ramona & Alisa Jones and Cathy Barton-Para, performing the traditional tune “Bill Cheatham,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives. Also, a vintage joke told by Grandpa.

In his segment “Back in the Hills,” writer, professor and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins discusses the surprisingly varied heritage of the Ozarks.

This week, a tribute to legendary singer-songwriter John Prine by his long time guitarist Jason Wilber & lifelong friend and co-writer Keith Sykes recorded live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas. Also, OHR executive producer Daren Dortin sits down for a conversation with Jason Wilber.

Each June, the Ozark Folk Center State Park pays tribute to John Prine with a concert weekend featuring world class musicians from a seemingly endless list of friends, family, and colleagues that loved the legendary singer-songwriter. In 2025, host Keith Sykes welcomed John’s guitar player of 24 years, Jason Wilber, for a night of songs & stories.

John Prine was an American singer-songwriter of country-folk music. Widely cited as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, Prine was known for his signature blend of humorous lyrics about love, life, and current events, often with elements of social commentary and satire, as well as sweet songs and melancholy ballads. He was active as a composer, recording artist, live performer, and occasional actor from the early 1970s until his death in 2020. John was connected to Mountain View, Arkansas through his love of fishing and Jack’s Resort on the beautiful White River. John visited Mountain View regularly since his childhood and made many friends in the area. In fact, according to John, his first public performance as a teenager was for fellow patrons at Jack’s White River Resort.

https://www.johnprine.com/about

Jason Wilber - “I was 26 when I started playing guitar with John Prine. During the summer Time Traveler was recorded, I turned 50. I had been playing with John essentially my entire adult life,” Wilber says. “John and his wife Fiona, their boys, the band and crew, they’re like family to me. I love them all, and I loved working with them. It was a special gift to stand beside John all those years and watch what happened between him and an audience. I can’t deconstruct it for you, or explain exactly why it was so brilliant. But I can tell you that something amazing was happening. There’s something about John’s music and his performance of it that touches people deeply. It’s very special, and it was a pleasure and a joy to get to be a part of it for so long.” - https://jasonwilber.com/jason_wilber_bio/

Once upon a time in the summer of 1967, Keith Sykes hitchhiked to the Newport Folk Festival and saw Arlo Guthrie perform “Alice’s Restaurant.” In the fall of that year he got a copy of the album, learned the whole song and sang it at a Holiday Inn in Charleston, South Carolina. They hired him on the spot for a regular gig playing music in the hotel. In the more than 40 years that followed, he would become a troubadour and storyteller, a massively successful songwriter with more than 100 songs recorded by artists as diverse as Rosanne Cash and George Thorogood. He would tour every corner of America and play in just about every conceivable kind of venue, appear on Saturday Night Live and Austin City Limits, and host songwriter nights on Memphis’ legendary Beale Street with many of music’s most talented songwriters. He would join Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, tour the country and record the Volcano album – the title track for which he co-wrote with Jimmy. - http://www.keithsykes.com/

In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, OHR producer Jeff Glover offers a 1979 archival recording of David Prine, John’s brother, performing the classic Carter Family song “Hello Stranger,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives.

This week, here comes Dulcimer Jamboree once again! Each year, dulcimer players from all over come to the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View, Arkansas for a weekend of learning, listening, and loving all things dulcimer. Each evening of the event features concerts by world renowned dulcimer teachers and performers. We’ll enjoy highlights recorded from these live performances featuring both mountain dulcimers and the more ancient hammered dulcimers.

Artists performing this year include: Renowned mountain dulcimer players and educators Stephen Seifert, Kara Barnard, and Margaret Wright; hammered dulcimer masters and educators Katie Moritz, Deedee Tibbits, & Rick Thum; and world famous hammered dulcimer Jedi and internet sensation Colin Beasley. Also, a performance from the 2025 Ozark Folk Center Mountain Dulcimer Contest Champion Allison O’Shea from Brown County, Indiana.

In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, OHR producer Jeff Glover offers a 1986 archival recording of Ozark originals The Leatherwoods, featuring Jean Jennings & Kay Thomas on mountain dulcimers performing the classic hymn “Amazing Grace,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives.

In his segment “Back in the Hills,” writer, professor and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins recounts the story of Mountain View, Arkansas’ infamous 1929 Connie Franklin murder trial from his book “Ghost of the Ozarks.”

This week, a sampling of local homegrown organic free-range Ozark original folk music from right here at the Ozark Folk Center State Park, recorded at our annual Homecoming Hootenanny.

Each May, the Ozark Folk Center State Park hosts our annual Homecoming Hootenanny. It’s an entire weekend of music and crafts featuring folks whom have performed at the center over its more than 52 years in operation. Ozark Folk Center State Park is dedicated to perpetuating the music, crafts and culture of the Ozarks. Open mid-April to mid-November, the park offers visitors an opportunity to watch artisans work, to stroll through the Heritage Herb Garden, and to hear live Southern mountain music. In the Ozark Folk Center Craft Village, more than 20 working artisans demonstrate, create and sell handmade items. Handcrafted items like flame-painted copper jewelry, leather purses and goods, baskets, brooms, stained glass, ironwork, pottery, knives, weavings, quilts, wood carvings, spun yarn, soap, candles, and more are made onsite.

The performances featured on this episode were recorded at the Ozark Folk Center State Park’s 2025 Homecoming Hootenanny. All of these folks are Ozark originals and local to the area. Some have performed at the Folk Center as far back as the 1970’s. Hear why folks say there’s something in the water in Mountain View, Arkansas that grows musicians. Four family bands, four national fiddle champions, two national clawhammer banjo champions and a national mountain dulcimer champion all local and all appearing on this one weekend at the Ozark Folk Center. Headliners this year include: Possum Juice; George Hulsey & Friends; Gary Rounds & Friends featuring Tim Crouch; Carolyn Carter; The Parker Unit; and Five South.

In his segment “Back in the Hills,” writer, professor and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins explores the storied history of early gospel music publishing in the Ozark and Quachita Mountains. This episode focuses on legendary gospel music composer and publisher Eugene Monroe Bartlett and his Arkansas based Hartford Music Company. Featured is an Ozark Folk Center archival recording of Fredona Currie performing Bartlett’s most famous hymn, “Victory in Jesus.”

This week, a retrospective of the third season of Ozark Highlands Radio featuring a variety of outstanding performances recorded live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Host Dave Smith and OHR producer Jeff Glover provide context and commentary for this captivating collection.

Each year at the Ozark Folk Center State Park, we record many hours of live music. We cherish all of it, but some of these performances stand out as being uniquely interesting or moving. On this episode, OHR producer Jeff Glover guides us through some of the most memorable moments of season three. Featured on this show are: A.J. Croce; Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas; Hubby Jenkins; The Savoy Family Band; The April Verch Band; Molsky’s Mountain Drifters; The Downhill Strugglers; Willie Carlisle; Pam Setser; The Barefoot Movement; Brad Apple & Samuel Cobb; The Paul Brock Band.

In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, we revisit legendary educator, country music legacy, and the original keeper of the vault, Mark Jones, offering a 1979 archival recording of David Prine, the brother of John Prine, performing the song “Southern Railroad Blues” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives.

In his segment “Back in the Hills,” writer, professor and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins explores the history of bears in the Ozarks.

This week, a special road trip episode featuring award-winning Owensboro, Kentucky bluegrass singer/songwriter Rick Faris and his band recorded live at the 2024 Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas.

The annual Walnut Valley Festival, now in it’s 53rd season, is one of the oldest and most respected acoustic music festivals in the world. Held at the Winfield, Kansas fairgrounds, more than 30 musical acts will perform on four separate stages, presenting over 200 hours of live music. Also, there is a dedicated contest stage where contestants vie for national and international championships in Finger Style Guitar, Flat Pick Guitar, Bluegrass Banjo, Old Time Fiddle, Mandolin, Mountain Dulcimer, Hammered Dulcimer, and Autoharp. There is a juried arts and crafts fair, exhibits by renowned instrument makers and music shops, family activities, a bevy of food vendors, a farmer’s market and even a pub! An unusual aspect of Walnut Valley is its campground tradition. Campsites are not reserved and campers line up to claim a choice campsite during the "Land Rush.” Walnut Valley Festival goers often bring their own musical instruments to participate in the sometimes all night campground jam sessions. Bands like Old Sound and Sally & The Hurts that began as "Jam Bands" in the campgrounds, have even been invited to perform at the festival.

Rick Faris is a Kansas Music Hall of Fame Member who was recently awarded the “Songwriter of the Year” at the 2024 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards making him an 8-time IBMA Award winner. In addition Rick won the coveted “New Artist of the Year” in 2022. Faris also spent 11 years with Special Consensus while the band earned two GRAMMY nominations before embarking on his chart topping solo career. The Rick Faris Band, is an International touring Bluegrass outfit playing in the US, Mainland Europe, the British Isles and Canada. They bring sibling harmony and comedic relief with brother JimBob Faris on bass and a youthful snap to their original brand of music with a couple of bluegrass thoroughbreds, Henry Burgess (who grew up with fiddle legend Byron Berline) and Gibson Davis (who is a third generation bluegrass musician following father Chris Davis and his Grandfather Danny Davis). Rick recently moved to Owensboro, Kentucky the Bluegrass Music Capital and has opened his Faris Guitar Co. - https://rickfaris.com/press-kit

In this week’s “From the Vault” segment, OHR producer Jeff Glover offers a 1988 archival recording of gospel music legends The Chuck Wagon Gang performing the 1934 J.R. Baxter song “After the Sunrise,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives.

In his segment “Back in the Hills,” writer, professor and historian Dr. Brooks Blevins explores the storied history of early gospel music publishing in the Ozark and Quachita Mountains.