Album Notes

Fried Okra gives you 20 tunes and ballads sung in the mountains. Ruth Barber and Keith Watson grace the cover in an American Gothic style with a plate of fried okra. They are joined by young Austin Stovall on fiddle and banjo - you must hear his solo gourd banjo rendition of Train 45, Sandee Bass on upright bass and lap dulcimer, Gary Hughes on guitar, and Scott Walter on fiddle. Ruth breaks out of her usual guitar and plays penny whistle and spoons and Keith fiddles and plays guitar a bit. Ruth sings one unaccompanied ballad. This collection of Old-Time tunes reaches way back and offers some Civil War era tunes, some fine penny whistle, love songs, sing alongs, critter tunes, and two tunes played on a gourd banjo, definitely a unique sound. Austin's version of Train 45 is a must listen! Did you know okra, the banjo, and clawhammer style banjo playing came from Africa?! This upbeat collection honors those African immigrants and their contributions to this music and our plates. These tunes will take you back to your mountain log home, sitting around the fire, rolling up the rug, taking out a jug, and having grand old time unwinding from a day's hard work. This CD is eco-friendly: no plastic except for the disc and wrapping and the package is made from recycled paper. Liner notes provide short and trivial histories of the tunes and as usual, a few good photographs including a neat old 54 Chevy truck that runs!! We call her Mater'. Visit www.boogertowngap.com for more information on Boogertown Gap (BTG) The Place, The Band, The Music.