Bluegrass Saturday Night radio show gets new host
Julie Brown, bassist with the Bluegrass Knowledge and Hindsight Bluegrass, is the new host for eastern North Carolina’s Bluegrass Saturday Evening on Sanford’s WLHC and Sharpsburg’s WLQC Everyday living 103.1 FM stations. Airing 6:00-8:00 p.m. (ET) each Saturday evening, Brown stepped up to the plate to carry on the 16 calendar year legacy of the radio present. Its host and Brown’s longtime close friend, Tommy Edwards, a talented musician, songwriter, and bluegrass historian from Siler City, NC, handed away on May well 22, 2021. Just after replaying Edwards’ common demonstrates all through the weekend slot for pretty much a year, Brown was approached to host the demonstrate. Hesitantly, she worked as the visitor host, but following some persuasion, not long ago agreed to completely take the two-hour weekly place.
Spouse of properly-known banjo-picker, Stan Brown, Julie recalled her romantic relationship with her radio host predecessor. “I first fulfilled Tommy all over 1996. Stan and I were dating and we would usually operate into Tommy and his spouse, Cindy. We talked songs and grew to become very good close friends, but in no way picked with each other. Then a single Thursday Tommy wanted me to fill in and enjoy bass that weekend with his band, The Bluegrass Encounter. I agreed, but had never ever fulfilled any of the other men in his band. By the time the night time was in excess of, I felt as if I had acknowledged them permanently. After that gig, I received identified as on to perform bass numerous extra moments.”
A native of Angier, Julie grew up attending bluegrass festivals. Banjo turned her initial bluegrass instrument.
“I acquired again into bluegrass suitable just after college or university when Father was mastering banjo. I knew songs so I imagined that I could help him. That I acquired me intrigued in playing. I performed in a band with Stan’s father, Odell, for several yrs just before I satisfied Stan. His dad is the to start with 1 to get me intrigued in bass.”
In 1998, Julie switched to bass when she married Stan.
“We did not need to have two banjo gamers in the dwelling ,and he was much greater than me, so bass became my principal instrument.”
Two a long time later on, her spouse became a whole-time member of the Bluegrass Expertise when Edwards’ banjoist, Donald Beane, passed away. Stan has remained in that position ever considering that. Julie turned the band’s bassist right after their bass player, Snuffy Smith, retired subsequent Edwards’ loss of life. So for Julie, accomplishing new music arrived initial, doing the job as a disc jockey arrived much later on.
“I remember when Tommy took the radio work (for WLHC/WLQC). We ended up on our way to a gig when he informed us about it. It in no way crossed my head to do these kinds of a point! The working day he died, I even now hadn’t thought about it.”
But Julie had the credentials to be a radio individuality.
“I like to talk and I have hardly ever fulfilled a stranger. After Tommy handed, (Hometown Pageant radio host) Buddy Michaels termed and requested me about having over the exhibit.”
After polling buddies who were being fully on board with his thought, she agreed to visitor host Bluegrass Saturday Evening to exam the waters.
“I considered Julie would do a good position,” Michaels stated. “She is familiar with what she’s talking about. I experienced to drive her, but now the bug has bitten her. She is unstoppable. She programs her displays.”
Julie savored the obstacle. “After two months, I turned long lasting. I pick out all the songs.”
The new DJ then experienced an epiphany.
“I realized that I in no way uncovered the titles to a ton of music! I know the initial line, the melody, or the subject matter make any difference, but not the appropriate title. I could explain to you the color of the CD and which variety track it was on the album, but didn’t know the title of the CD or tune. That designed it difficult to obtain what songs I was searching for to enjoy on the exhibit!”
She also experienced to familiarize herself with some of the radio station’s engineering.
“At 1st, I experienced to understand what is on their databases, and how to dig as a result of it all. I’ve included a lot of music. I enjoy finding out my individual playlist.”
A proficient musician herself, Julie’s style in bluegrass tunes is eclectic.
“I like to enjoy common ones, but I love a ton of the newer tunes and get ‘outside of the box,’ far too. I keep it blended up.”
Julie also requires the bluegrass music group in her weekly displays, interviewing crucial gamers this kind of as Tim Stafford, marketing regional displays, and actively playing tunes by regional artists, which includes the beloved show’s namesake, Tommy Edwards. He would be delighted with her format.
Bluegrass Saturday Night time can be heard on WLHC (and WLQC) 103.1 FM every Saturday, 6:00-8:00 p.m. (ET). You can also hear online through live streaming.
