Watt Presley, Wayne Stacy & The Frosty Mountain Boys - Making The Break

(Outlet OUT-1052) 1984

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This album, which was recorded at 'Outlet Recordings' studio on 25th Feb 1984, features former CMB Troy 'Renfro' Profitt on lead/cross-picking guitar. I've not managed to find much about the band but according to the liner notes by WNRG DJ Frank W. Spraker Jr, they were coal miners born and raised in the coal fields of Buchanan County, Va. This was their first (and seemingly only) LP although most of the band had been playing music together for several years. It's likely that Troy Profitt was a relative newcomer as the album was recorded one year after his appearance on the Keen Brothers' Bluegrass From The Mountain LP.

The record is a blend of traditional blue grass with a mountain twist. Four of the twelve tracks are instrumentals with fiddle standards Tennessee Wagnor & Sourwood Mountain, plus a fine clawhammer version of Shout Little Lulie and 3-finger banjo led Home Sweet Home. Wayne Stacy, who picked a Gibson RB-800 converted to archtop by Clancy Mullins, was obviously influenced by Ralph's banjo style and is equally at home with clawhammer & 3-finger styles.

One of the LP's highlights is their version of Rocky Island, which is also patterned after Ralph's take on the old traditional song.

There are two originals, The Girl I Pictured and You Make The Break which are both credited to Watt Presley. The former takes the melody from Knoxville Girl with new lyrics. Another track Yellow Is The Color is also credited to Watt, but is actually a cover of Donovan's '60s hit Colours.

Other cuts include a decent version of the Louvin Brothers Seven Year Blues and the Don Reno/Red Smiley favourite One Teardrop And One Step Away.

You can find this album on youtube as individual tracks have been uploaded by Wayne Stacy's son.

Thanks to Aaron Greene for the heads up on this one!

• Wanace Breeding: fiddle
• Matawaska (Watt) Presley: guitar, lead vocal
• Troy 'Renfro' Profitt: lead guitar
• Wayne Stacy: banjo, tenor vocal
• Hurley Street: bass

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