Buckeyes in the Briar Patch

Abstract

Bluegrass joined the “counterculture” in 1970s Ohio. Sam’s Bar and Grill, Aunt Maudie’s Country Garden, Arnold’s, King’s Row, and Village Tavern brought new followers and pioneer female and non-Appalachian musicians. WYSO, WPFB, WONE, WAIF, WMUB, WNKU, and WOBO all played bluegrass. The Allen Brothers, Larry Sparks, Boys from Indiana, Hotmud Family, Vernon McIntyre and Appalachian Grass, Katie Laur Band, and the Dry Branch Fire Squad were important bands based in the region. Fiddlin’ Van Kidwell, Bill Lowe, the Corndrinkers, Country Grass, Dixie Ryders, Hagan Brothers, Dorsey Harvey, Marcum Brothers, Muddy River, and Wheat Straw also participated in the flourishing local scene. Women (Pam Gadd, “Memphis Beck” Gentry, Julie Gray, Barb Kuhns, Katie Laur, Mary Jo Dickman Leet, Lora Murphy, Linda Scutt, Suzanne Thomas) were prominent.