MUSIC FROM THE LOST PROVINCES
Old-Time String Bands from Ashe County, North Carolina & Vicinity, 1927-1931
OLD HAT CD 1001

Here’s an outstanding collection of 22 songs and tunes first recorded between 1927-1931 by string bands from Ashe County, North Carolina, a mountainous area in the northwest corner of the state once known as “The Lost Provinces” because of its extreme isolation. The music includes traditional fiddle tunes, folk songs, Anglo-Irish ballads, comic songs, topical numbers and original compositions, all from the time period often called the “golden era” of old-time string music. The anthology brings together for the first time the complete recordings of Frank Blevins & His Tar Heel Rattlers, the Carolina Night Hawks, the North Carolina Ridge Runners, and many more. All tracks on the CD have been carefully remastered from the original 78 rpm records, and a 28-page booklet gives a detailed history of the music based on interviews with original band members. Also included is a complete discography and numerous vintage photographs, many never before published. Music From The Lost Provinces is the premier release of Old Hat Records, a label devoted to quality reissues coupled with thorough historical research.

“It is a breathtakingly beautiful album... It took three blood pressure pills to calm me down after I heard Old Aunt Betsy.”
—Dr. Charles K. Wolfe

“For anyone fascinated by the reckless, complex and circuitous route American music has taken over the years, this disc will be a welcome arrival. It’s also great listening.”     
—Charlie Gravel, The Old-Time Herald, Fall 1999

SONG LIST AND SOUND SAMPLES
1. TRAIN 45 Grayson & Whitter	LISTEN	LISTEN
2. NINE POUND HAMMER  Frank Blevins & His Tar Heel Rattlers	LISTEN	LISTEN
3. LAST GOLD DOLLAR Ephraim Woodie & The Henpecked Husbands	LISTEN	LISTEN
4. GROUND HOG  Jack Reedy & His Walker Mountain String Band	LISTEN	LISTEN
5. MY NAME IS TICKLISH REUBEN Smyth County Ramblers	LISTEN	LISTEN
6. FLY AROUND MY PRETTY LITTLE MISS  Frank Blevins & His Tar Heel Rattlers	LISTEN	LISTEN
7. NOBODY’S DARLING North Carolina Ridge Runners	LISTEN	LISTEN
8. SHORT LIFE OF TROUBLE Grayson & Whitter	LISTEN	LISTEN
9. DON’T GET TROUBLE IN YOUR MIND Frank Blevins & His Tar Heel Rattlers	LISTEN	LISTEN
10. CLUCK OLD HEN  The Hill Billies	LISTEN	LISTEN
11. LIKES LIKKER BETTER THAN ME  Woodie Brothers	LISTEN	LISTEN
12. WAY DOWN IN ALABAMA Smyth County Ramblers	LISTEN	LISTEN
13. THE FATAL COURTSHIP Ephraim Woodie & The Henpecked Husbands	LISTEN	LISTEN
14. I’VE ALWAYS BEEN A RAMBLER Grayson & Whitter	LISTEN	LISTEN
15. I’VE GOT NO HONEY BABE NOW Frank Blevins & His Tar Heel Rattlers	LISTEN	LISTEN
16. GOVERNOR AL SMITH FOR PRESIDENT Carolina Night Hawks	LISTEN	LISTEN
17. CHINESE BREAKDOWN Jack Reedy & His Walker Mountain String Band	LISTEN	LISTEN
18. BE KIND TO A MAN WHEN HE’S DOWN North Carolina Ridge Runners	LISTEN	LISTEN
19. OLD AUNT BETSY Frank Blevins & His Tar Heel Rattlers	LISTEN	LISTEN
20. CHASED OLD SATAN THROUGH THE DOOR Woodie Brothers	LISTEN	LISTEN
21. HANDSOME MOLLY Grayson & Whitter	LISTEN	LISTEN
22. SALLY ANN Frank Blevins & His Tar Heel Rattlers	LISTEN	LISTEN