V/A - Mountain Folks Song Concert Bluegrass Style

With 5 String Banjo

(Palace M-720) 196?

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This Various Artists bluegrass compilation probably dates from the early '60s. One Stanley Brothers' banjo tune is included, which is listed on the album as Pickin' The Five String, but is actually just the Starday recording of Holiday Pickin' which the Stanleys recorded in 1958 and first released on 45 (Starday 413).

According to Walt Saunders, all of the artists featured were from the Starday label, and except for The Stanley's and Carl Story (who provide the first cut of each side), the remainder are 'phony' aliases. eg. Hank Varney is Delmar Sexton & The Roane County Boys; Bob Miller is Ken Clark & The Merry Mountain Boys; Roy Smiley & Red Barnes is Mike Miller & Jack Casey and The Stone Mountain Boys; Lowell Simpson is Lowell Varney & The Rocky Mountain Pals; Jimmy & Wayne Sanders is Jim & Jesse and The Virginia Boys; Jim & Earl are Vern & Ray and The Carroll County Country Boys; and The Greer County Home Folks are The Country Gentlemen. The true identities of the remainder (Jack Campbell, Clifton Henson, The Horton Brothers, and Johnny McCormick) have yet to be determined.^[1]

Clearly then, this was an exercise in using the names of two of the more well known artists to sell the LP, whilst avoiding paying royalties to the rest. George Alpert, whose name is on the liner notes seems to have had a reputation for releasing material under different titles and re-naming band names to avoid paying artists.

Holiday Pickin' can be found on the 4xCD set The Early Starday/King Years, 1958-1961.

• Carter Stanley: guitar, vocals
• Ralph Stanley: banjo, vocals
• Al Elliott: bass
• Gene Meadows: lead guitar
• Joe Meadows: fiddle
• Bill Napier: mandolin

For detailed information on the songs/sessions check Gary B. Reid's The Music Of The Stanley Brothers book pages 88 and 137.

Other artwork / related images:

[1] 'Notes & Queries' Bluegrass Unlimited March 1986 (p.12)