Fans of bluegrass music will have the opportunity to hear local musicians, Alan Sibley and the Magnolia Ramblers, on RFD-TV beginning Sunday, July 8 at 6.p.m., on a brand new series entitled The Bluegrass Trail. The series consists of thirteen 30-minute episodes in which Sibley and his band perform several songs and also feature guest artists.
The series came about when Sibley pitched the idea for a show featuring traditional bluegrass music to the executives of RFD-TV. He stated that he emailed the network, and received a very favorable response within 15 minutes. Even though the show was his idea he had no thought of hosting it, however the executives at RFD-TV wanted him.
They went to work choosing songs, lining up talent and shooting segments; some of the lead-in segments were shot at different locations around Choctaw County. Sibley, a Choctaw County native felt this would lend a flavor of authenticity. The episodes were filmed in the RFD-TV studios in Nashville, TN, and Sibley has been given the green light to begin preparations for a second season of 13 episodes.
He stated that the show is fast moving, as he and his band perform three songs, and then a few songs from the guest stars. Guest performers include: David Davis & the Warrior River Boys from Cullman, AL; Alex Leach from Knoxville, TN; Carolina Blue from North Carolina; The Baker Family from Birchtree, MO, and others.
Sibley was around 13 years of age when he first heard bluegrass and he knew that was the music he wanted to play. He describes bluegrass as a very respectful music that is influenced by several different genres including blues, country, gospel and Southern string bands. Sibley added that he does not know of a bluegrass band that does not sing some gospel, as the genre is deeply influenced by gospel music.
The genre was brought to the forefront by Bill Monroe in the 1940s, and a young banjo player named Earl Scruggs helped to complete the sound. It was the music of working people, many who were World War II veterans who had gone through incredibly difficult struggles.
The music calls upon stringed instruments: the guitar, banjo, fiddle, upright bass and mandolin to achieve its unique sound, and Sibley described it as story music, mentioning songs such as ‘Uncle Pen’ and ‘The Wreck of the Old 97.’
The Bluegrass Trail can be seen on DISH Network Channel 231 and DirecTV Channel 345.
