RFD-TV’s new series “WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour” will celebrate its 900th broadcast taping on Monday, July 24th at the historic Lyric Theatre in Lexington, KY. To celebrate the series, “WoodSongs” hosted international guitar masters Mike Dawes from England and Anthony Snape from Australia on Monday, July 17th. Then, Kentucky’s own mandolin legend, The Sam Bush Band, will perform on July 20th. Finally, the 900th show taping will feature special guests Roger McGuinn, founder of The Byrds, and folk pioneer, John Lomax. The shoot will be followed by an exclusive after party for one of the biggest roots musical broadcasts in the world.
Roger McGuinn is a Rock’n’Roll Hall of Famer who is known for his work with the Limelighters, the Chad Mitchell Trio, and ultimately as the founding member of The Byrds. Some of that group’s of massive global hits include “Turn, Turn, Turn” and “Mr. Tambourine Man.” In the mid-1990’s Roger pioneered one of the first streaming websites called FolkDen, which is hosted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s ibiblio. To this day, it is one of the most extensive archives of America’s folk legacy.
John Lomax III is a legacy descendant of the folk archivist pioneers, the Lomax Family. They are responsible for seeking out and cataloging America’s folk and mountain music, and their extensive archives were later absorbed by the Smithsonian Institute. John and Alan Lomax are responsible for discovering and promoting Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Pete Seeger and many other icons of America’s musical history.
“Love is the greatest transaction of the arts,” said folk singer and WoodSongs founder Michael Johnathon, “and I wanted to prove it with WoodSongs.”
“WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour” continues to be an all-volunteer run production, including Michael Johnathon, the artists, the 32-member crew, editors, audio engineers, and the venue, among others. Local hotels and restaurants provide hospitality for the artists and entire crew the day of the show.
“And now you know why ‘folk’ rhymes with ‘broke,’” jokes Johnathon from his log cabin home outside of Lexington. “Kentucky is one of the few communities in America with people so generous of spirit that a show like this could even be conceived, no less produce 900 broadcasts.”
Watch Johnathan’s series “WoodSongs” on RFD-TV Fridays at 6 p.m. ET. To get additional TV and radio broadcast times, visit woodsongs.com. For the full program schedule and more information visit, rfdtv.com. To purchase tickets to the 900th celebration, call the Lyric Box office call 859-280-2218. General Public Tickets: $20. WoodSongs Partners Tickets: $10. People can become a WoodSongs Partner by calling 859-255-5700 or clicking here.
Watch a 2007 Woodsongs performance with Roger McGuinn singing “Turn, Turn, Turn” here.