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Old Time North Carolina Mountain Music

Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson
Old Time North Carolina Mountain Music

Born in North Carolina in 1911, Bill Johnson started playing the banjo at the age of eight. With his son Billie Ray on guitar and grandson David on fiddle, he leads three generations of talented mountain musicians in this collection of murder ballads and folk songs.

All the instrumental songs are what Johnson calls “old tunes.” They have been handed down through the generations and can still be heard on front porches and at dances in the Western North Carolina Mountains. Vocal tunes, including “Knoxville Girl” and “Poor Ellen Smith,” are also featured.

Track Listing

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101
Knoxville Girl Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 04:48
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102
Ruben Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 02:57
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103
The Wreck of the Old 97 Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 02:40
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104
Roll on Buddy (Nine Pound Hammer) Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 02:27
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105
Poor Ellen Smith Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 02:20
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106
Possum Blowed His Horn Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 02:54
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107
Banks of the Ohio Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 02:44
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201
Jimmy Sutton Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 02:03
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202
Down in the Willow Garden Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 02:33
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203
Cumberland Gap Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 02:30
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204
Going Down the Road Feeling Bad Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 02:29
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205
Sugar Babe Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 02:05
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206
Pretty Polly Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 02:48
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207
Sourwood Mountain Bill, Billie Ray and David Johnson 01:58