Band of the Sky Podcast: Recent Episodes
Richard Tipton and Rocky Lindsley
Rich and Rock explore Asheville’s rich music history focusing on The Land of The Sky’s homegrown golden age of self rising jam—the 1960s through the ‘90s and skyward. We want to shine a light on local musicians through their music, interviews and stories.
First let us say how sorry we are about the lost lives and property of our WNC friends and families. The farm sustained some damage but nothing relative to the devastation in this area. Secondly, we've been excited to find these unheard live recordings from a hot, July weekend in 1994. Praying for Rain had just finished their CD, "When a Rooster Crows," and hosted a CD release party at Gatsby's, Asheville, during the busiest weekend of the year. It was a special time for us because we had just released the CD which we recorded the previous year in Nashville at 1111 Studio. Also, a new, independent radio station (WZLS) was on the scene and played local tunes along with the Beatles, Stones and all that other long haired, screaming mess called classic rock. WZLS DJ Iron John was in the audience for these shows. A few months ago David Bradley (bass) was able to acquire from Scott Wallace three cassette board tapes from this incredible weekend in July, 1994. The tapes were pristine having never been played. The tapes contained about four hours of originals and covers. I was nervous about hearing these tunes because I used to get a little lit during our performances. I wasn't prepared for the flood of emotions listening to our shows, going back 30 years. For a whole weekend I paced my studio listening to the tunes, trying to remember the crowds, and getting emotional about it all. To our surprise and delight there were about 10 songs we had forgotten. On this and following episodes I will be playing these fresh, unearthed, "dank" tunes. So, yeah, in the face of world events, tragedy, loss and creeping fascism, it was good to find these tapes which represent a time before the Internet and social media's virtual tower of Babel. Once again our hearts go out to all our brothers and sisters effected by Hurricane Helene.
If you hear the Sound:
- Whatever Helps you Sleep-Praying for Rain (PFR)
- Sis Boom Bah-Praying for Rain (Live at Gatsby's, 1994)
- Something Getting Rotten (Live at Gatsby's, 1994)
- Highly over You-Richie Tipton and the First Kings
www.richietipton.com
Instagram@bandofthesky
Special day at the farm this past week. The band, Band of the Sky,Mke Barnes, Jeff Anders and David Bradey, sat down with Rich for a conversation about Asheville, Band of the Sky Podcast co-founder, Rocky Lindsley, the connections between Matt Sluder, Rocky, Praying for Rain and Dixie Deluxe; plus "Get on the Soul Train." This podcast is the first in a series with these guys. In the next few parts we'll listen to live music recorded at Gatsby's during Praying for Rain's "When a Rooster Crows" CD release party during Bele Chere, 1994.
If you hear the Sound:
- Intro-Whatever Helps you Sleep-Praying for Rain
- Soul Train-Band of the Sky Improv
- Sorry but I Used to Love You-Dixie Deluxe
- Here We Go-Praying for Rain
- Sails Away-Rocky Lindsley
- Outro-Highly over You-Richie Tipton and the First Kings
www.richietipton.com
Instagram @band of the sky
We wrap up our series with Plywood (David Pressley). in this episode Plywood recalls playing music in Derek and the Dominators which featured a 12 year old Derek Trucks. Plywood was there when Buddy Guy picked up young Derek, gave him a kiss and walked off stage shaking his head. A passing of the torch, so to speak; Plywood returns to Canton before heading to Buffalo, N.Y. where he plays drums in the Dave Constantino Band.
If You Hear the Sound:
- Highly over You (intro) RTFK
- Slide Slide Slide-Derek and the Dominators
- Clean up in Aisle 3, Jim-the Bi-Los'
- Prokofiev plays the Piano-Prokofiev
- Yasmeens Blues-Black Disco
- Last Train Home-Praying for Rain
- Highly over You-(outro) RTFK
In part two of the Plywood series, Plywood recalls leaving Canton for Florida in the 70s and navigating gigs and life with Les Dudek and Rick Derringer, among other great players and situations. Plywood is known for his shuffle but he's a great rock drummer as well; Mike Barnes and Plywood recall a legendary Asheville jam session with "Howie," and Plywood; with Charlie Hyde, Mike Barnes, Jeff Anders, David Bradley, and Rich.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-Richie Tipton and the First Kings(RTFK)
- Rock and Roll Hootchie Coo-Rick Derringer
- You Make Me Ill-Les Dudek (from Sanderborg Denmark Blues Festival, 1991)
- Outro-RTFK
Band of the Sky welcomes drummer and long time friend, David Pressley (Plywood). Plywood was first active on the Asheville scene (Homegrown) in the early 70s. In his career he's played with Rick Derringer, and Les Dudek, among others. But, it's his hometown connection and folksy personality-after all he is Andy Griffith's thrid cousin- which endears him to us. And it goes without saying he's one hell of a drummer.
Gathered around the old mic. was Mike Barnes, Jeff Anders and Charlie Hyde (Pick 'n' Grin). Wonderful.
If you hear the Sound:
- Highly over You (intro)-RTFK
- Flying with the Flock-Buffalo Mojo (Mike Barnes vehicle with Plywood on drums)
- Highly over You (outro) -RTFK
Asheville guitarist extrodinaire, Mike Barnes, (Bonzo to us) joins Jeff Anders and Rich to reflect on his time witih Geffin Records, Rock City Angels, (Young Man's Blues) opening for Jimmy Page at the L.A. Forum and how it wound down and eventually led Barnes home to Asheville and Praying for Rain. It's a classic story.
I was thrilled to have Barnes on the podcast. He is the home grown, self-rising jam for which this podcast was created; Ronnie Burgin surfaces on a long, lost recording of "Back to Louisiana." Recorded in Rocky Lindsley's bedroom, wih Johnny Jump, Bobby Webb(who shared the recording with Jump) and Rocky, it's a jump back to a simpler, organic moment in Asheville, music history. Thanks to Johnny Jump and Bobby Webb for sharing the recording. Also, thanks to Jeff Anders for providing his studio to record the podcast. Home Grown. Self-Rising.
If you hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Deep Inside My Heart-Rock City Angels
- Our Little Secret-Rock City Angels
- Here We Go-Praying for Rain
- Thunder Foot-Rocky Lindsley
- Back to Louisiana-Celebrity Hot Tub (w/ Ronnie Burgin)
- Outro-RTFK
Two guys, back side of 55, share what it means, to live post dream, while the dream never dies; music, silence, space; laughing at laughter in a slow moving coup.
If You hear the Sound:
- Highly over You (intro) Richie Tipton and the First Kings (RTFK)
- Sonny Boy Can Beline-Drank
- Lonesome Too-RTFK
- Trailer Park-N.C. Rail
- Horse Tour Stops in Mars Hill-David Bradley, Billy Bowden and RT
- Highly over You-(outro) RTFK
When an artist must "face the music," so to speak, it can be a big, ol' slap in the face. What, you mean I'm not gonna fill halls and sell millions of records and have famous friends? You mean Dylan won't say hello to me one day? You mean I wont show up in a limousine at Bi-Lo? Sleeping on studio floors, drinking and drugging like my heroes, driving on bald tires in the rain to deliver a song to a Nashville publisher by 5, years and years of band practice, breaking glass, relationships, and wearing cowboy hats in Cinjades... was for naught?
But, it wasn't.
There comes a day "when youth will pass away." At some point you'll be into sleepy mile 400, after driving 300 miles, recording vocals on six songs, dodging kangaroos in the road, and there's still 200 miles to go, and when you drive those 200 miles and arrive home 24 hours later, you ask yourself, "what the fuck am I doing?" You start to ask it a lot.
But, if you're lucky to come out on the other side and allow old age, life can be cherries. However, you still want to play, write, and record. Be with other musicians. Your dream weakens from a flame to a spark. You are still you, but content to be still.
Rudy, in show clothes, gets stranded at the Biltmore Mall; Richie walks 20 miles in a pair of loafers made for standing-hard soles and cheetah print (actually it was about 15 miles); discovering old songs, written as a young man, as an old man; new/old demos featured.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-Richie Tipton and the First Kings
- Rhyming Club-Come on Mule
- Ruby-Come on Mule
- Songwriter Blues-Rudy Colombo
- Ballad of Jimmy the French-Praying for Rain
- Drank (drunk Hank Williams Jr.)
- Cherry-Rudy Colombo
- Get back Home-Come on Mule
www.richietipton.com
bandofthesky@instagram
Rich and Rudy talk about seeing bassist, "fascinating," David Gay, (Freakwater, Reigning Sound, Los Gun Show) at a recent Los Gun Show performance; Sha Na Na; the rock stance;putting PFR on Spotify; Rudy's indie sensibilities; Waylon in the blood; Yo, David B.
If You hear the Sound;
- Intro-RTFK
- Heaven-Praying for Rain
- Things Can Only Get Better-Rudy Colombo
- Heaven-Praying for Rain
- Trailer Park-N.C. Rail
- Waitress Song-Freakwater
- Things Can Only Get Better-Rudy Colombo
- Outro-RTFK
www.richietipton.com
Instagram@bandofthesky
Rudy visits the farm and we're tickled to death; take note, the ability to simply pick up a phone and call someone is a superpower; ego work; Rich and Rudy go see "Los Gun Show" in Hendo and discuss "lifer" (art at all costs) Morgan Geer (The Merle, Drunken Prayer, Los Gun Show); Lifer, Dan Lewis (Johnny and the Jokers, check out his discography at www.discogs.com) wrote a book: "Growing up in Asheville, North Carolina: How Music and Art Sparked a Renassaince In a Sleepy Southern Town." It's wonderful, although it made me sad.
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Sober Thinking-Rich
- It's a Good Day-Humbuckers
- C'mon 🍒 Cherry-Rudy Colombo
- Cordelia Elsewhere-Drunken Prayer
- Outro-RTFK
www.richietipton.com
Charlie Davis calls Band of the Sky to talk about the mystery of Garage T. Rashington III and the release of "Inauthentic Slop." One thing isn't a mystery, however...the got dang genius of Charlie Davis. It's an odd, weird, and sometimes spooky talent.
If you hear the Sound:
Intro-RTFK
My Own Self-Garage T. Rashington III
Lingering Lunch-Garage T. Rashington III
The Pre-Spring Frog-Peeps
Dirt Bag-Garage T. Rashington III
Pig Fat and Sugar-Garage T. Rashington III
An Acute and Honest Appraisal of Me-Garage T. Rashington III
Choirmaster Greg-Garage T. Rashington III
Ol' Antepenultimate-Richie Tipton w/Charlie Davis
Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Check us out on Spotify, Stitcher, and Instagram @bandofthesky
Rich plays songs from artists featured on Band of the Sky throughout its run. From acid dank to southern dank we play the dank. They're musty AND fresh; record producer and WLOS south, disc jockey, Chuck Taylor's contribution to Asheville acid rock.
If you hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Acid Raga-Sunn Cycle
- 32/20 Blues-Government Mule with Rocky Lindsley and John Scofield, Jamaica, 2016
- Beautiful Satan-Richie Tipton
- Watchman for the House of Israel-Bele Chere street preacher (2005)
- Sorry, but I used to Love You-Dixie Deluxe (1997)
- King of Nothin'-Praying for Rain (never released 1991 demo from cassette; ignore the noise and pops, it's a cassette
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram@bandofthesky
Eighteen-year old Wyatt Hill writes breezy, 1966, Thunderbird convertible with the top-down-driving, Pacific Coast Highway, tunes. And... he's from Boone County, W.Va. His guitar playing is reminiscent of Carlos Santana, linking to the PCH vibe. Right on!
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Our Love-Wyatt Hill
- Long Day Coming-Jay Hill with Jesco White rhythm taps
- Old Antepenultimate (it's time to go)-RT
- Never Stop-Wyatt Hill
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
instagram@bandofthesky
Interconnectedness: Past, recent past and present collide as Rich goes to the Christmas Jam and marvels at everything.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Rhyming Club-Richie Tipton
- Ambience-Civic Center Street Drummer; Mike Barnes Band at Asheville Music Hall; Trudy-Tyler Childers and Warren Haynes
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
instagram@bandofthesky
Seeing Paul McCartney live is a life changing experience, a religious happening, a dynamo with the power to spark the deadest dream; and other inadequate attempts to describe the inexplicable. Rich recalls seeing Paul and Molly Hatchet; Coyote gets the podcat. Rest In Peace, Jerry; Silvertone Black
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Darlene-Rudy Colombo
- Isolation-Rich Covers John Lennon Plastic Ono Band
- Highly Sensitive Papal-Highly Sensitive People
- Singing Sheetrock Man/Rhyming Club-Anthem Williams
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock
Hear us at Spotify, Sticher www.richandrock.com
Instagram @bandofthesky
David Bradley talks about Pinkish Floyd's upcoming show at T-Birds, Weaverville; no homecoming feeling, goodbye bicentennial Weaverville, red, white and blue streamers, parachute pants and polka dots.
If you hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Jimmy the French-Praying for Rain
- She's the Kinda Girl-Rudy Colombo
- Beautiful Satan-Richie Tipton
- America/Rhyming Club-Richie Tipton
- Outro-RTFK
www.richietipton.com
www.richandrock.com
Instagram @bandofthesky
Elise Eden and Jeff Anders play live, including the title cut from their EP "Candy." They also give us peek at an upcoming song, and a Rickie Lee Jones cover. We opened the door to hear the rain. It sounds like FM Radio. But the thunder is unmistakable. "The universe likes me."
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Candy (acoustic live)
- Closer to You (acoustic live)
- Chuck E's in Love (acoustic cover)
- How Long I've Been Loving You (from Elise Eden, Candy EP)
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram @bandofthesky
Elise, Jeff and Rich continue their conversation, drilling deep into the artist mind, the struggle (which make great art) and the importance of a great mentor to lead, guide and direct the often hapless artist; the difference Jeff Anders makes in many artistic lives and output through his mentorship and professional work which has enriched many Asheville musicians over the past 30 years.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Candy-Elise Eden
- The Ballad of Jimmy the French-Praying for Rain
- How Long I've Been Loving You-Elise Eden
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram @bandofthesky
Songwriter, producer and Band of the Sky alum, Jeff Anders and singer/songwriter/entertainer Elise Eden visit the farm. We talk about fate, free will, universal connectivity and their brand new EP, "Candy," featuring the title track, and "How Long I've Been Loving You," co-written by Warren Haynes, Jeff Anders and "Civil Wars," John Paul White.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Candy-Elise Eden
- How Long I've Been Loving You-Elise Eden
- Candy-Elise Eden (complete song)
- Outro-RTFK
www.richietipton.com
www.richandrock.com
Instagram @bandofthesky
Old friend Rudy is a record man these days, and he and a partner have a pretty darn good outfit in Brandon Laxton and Tupelo Drive. "Ruint Without You" has over 40,000 plays on Spotify. The boys get ready to go into the studio. Rail Yeah!; Also, Rudy recalls the night N.C. Rail checked in to Forty Hells Motel in Greenville, N.C. where a thumbless guy, his hand wrapped in bloody gauze, offered drugs and prostitutes in a scene fit for David Lynch's "Blue Velvet."
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro-Richie Tipton and the First Kings (RTFK)
- Frankie and Charlie-RTFK
- Ruint Without You-Brandon Laxton and Tupelo Drive
- Fine Mess-Rich
- Interlude-Twisted Mister
- Outro-RTFK
Old friend Rudy is a record man these days, and he and a partner have a pretty darn good outfit in Brandon Laxton and Tupelo Drive. "Ruint Without You" has over 40,000 plays on Spotify. The boys get ready to go into the studio. Rail Yeah!; Also, Rudy recalls the night N.C. Rail checked in to Forty Hells Motel in Greenville, N.C. where a thumbless guy, his hand wrapped in bloody gauze, offered drugs and prostitutes in a scene fit for David Lynch's "Blue Velvet."
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro-Richie Tipton and the First Kings (RTFK)
- Frankie and Charlie-RTFK
- Ruint Without You-Brandon Laxton and Tupelo Drive
- Fine Mess-Rich
- Interlude-Twisted Mister
- Outro-RTFK
Urban cowboys go to Cinjades; sons' of man look for brotherhood; knowing when to say when, when writing songs. When is a song finished?
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro (Highly over You) RTFK
- White Man on My Trail-Rudy Colombo
- Giving up the Ghost-Praying for Rain
- Even Raygene Gets the Blues/Cowboy-N.C. Rail
- Outro (Highly over You) RTFK
www.richietipton.com
www.richandrock.com
Instagram@bandofthesky
Spotify@bandofthesky
Rudy at the farm, in the barn, on the mic., talks life, home recording and songwriting; The Rats are back! You Dirty Rats (2010) test the water with rehearsals and recording over a long, sweet, summer weekend. Rudy prepares for the first rehearsal.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- She's the Kinda Girl-Rudy Colombo
- World Spins-Gypsy Moths
- Like I Wore You-You Dirty Rats (YDR)
- I like the Way You Dance-YDR (rough mix)
- Even Raygene Get the Blues-N.C. Rail
- Empty Farmhouse-Rudy Colombo
- Rita-N.C. Rail
- Candy Baby-Rudy Colombo
- Honey-Rudy Colombo
- I like the Way You Dance (longer)-YDR
- Laundrymat Heart-Anthem Williams
- Honey-Rudy Colombo
- Outro-RTFK
www.richietipton.com
www.richandrock.com
Instagram@bandofthesky
Rudy at the farm, in the barn, on the mic., talks life, home recording and songwriting; The Rats are back! You Dirty Rats (2010) test the water with rehearsals and recording over a long, sweet, summer weekend. Rudy prepares for the first rehearsal.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- She's the Kinda Girl-Rudy Colombo
- World Spins-Gypsy Moths
- Like I Wore You-You Dirty Rats (YDR)
- I like the Way You Dance-YDR (rough mix)
- Even Raygene Get the Blues-N.C. Rail
- Empty Farmhouse-Rudy Colombo
- Rita-N.C. Rail
- Candy Baby-Rudy Colombo
- Honey-Rudy Colombo
- I like the Way You Dance (longer)-YDR
- Laundrymat Heart-Anthem Williams
- Honey-Rudy Colombo
- Outro-RTFK
www.richietipton.com
www.richandrock.com
Instagram@bandofthesky
Rudy Colombo (You Dirty Rats, Humbuckers, Billy the Six, N.C. Rail, Gypsy Moths) visits the farm and podcast...we talk about songwriting, inspiration, struggle, comfort, marathons and sprints, the spirit of stereo, old songs in new wineskins.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-Richie Tipton and the First Kings (RTFK)
- I Like the Way You Dance-You Dirty Rats (YDR)
- 24 Miles-Humbuckers
- Free as a Bird-RTFK
- America-Anthem Williams
- Laundry Mat Heart-Anthem Williams
- I Like the Way You Dance-YDR
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram @bandofthesky
it was a time of shindigs, shinaballoos, bugaballoos, hootenannys' and Beatlemania. In the shadow of the Viet-Nam draft, Asheville's teenagers, especially Lee Edwards High attendees,(Asheville High) made some wonderful rock music. And as with every other Asheville decade from the 60s to the 90s the music and performances are top notch; and but for whatever reason (some of it was the Viet Nam draft) it's another tale of lost potential. Today we look at and play Asheville home grown garage rock spinning music by The Satyrs and The Fabulous Wunz.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Yesterday's Hero-The Satyrs
- Don't be Surprised-The Satyrs
- Blue Blue World-The Satyrs
- Please-The Fabulous Wunz
- If I Cry-The Fabulous Wunz
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram@bandofthesky
If you hear the sound of the bass here at the old Band of The Sky, more than likely it's David Bradley.
Hailing from the north end of Buncombe County, David's had his hand in a lot of bands in which I played--Rattlesnakes, Praying for Rain, Billy the Six, RoosterTones, Richie Tipton and the First Kings. And a host of other local groups as well-- WNC Contagious, Crocodile Smile, Johnny and the Jokers, Floyd Philharmonic.
Today's episode features Dave talking about his new endeavor with Pinkish Floyd, a "passionate Pink Floyd Tribute," including details about new gigs, plans, songs and light show.
"Breathe."
I bet the moon feels like you...full of love and darkness too. RT
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro: Richie Tipton and the First Kings (RTFK)
- Fine Mess of My Heart-Richie Tipton with GEEZER
- Tired of Them-RTFK
- Save Some Room-Praying for Rain (PFR)
- Beautiful Satan-Richie Tipton
- Your Time is Gonna Come-Rattlesnakes, on cassette tape, cover Zeppelin with David Bradley on lead vocals at 45 Cherry, Asheville, circa late 80s, early 90s
- I Sure Do Miss Tommy-Firty Firty Minutes
- The Ballad of Jimmy the French-PFR
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram @bandofthesky
Local news: Government Mule plays Asheville, Haynes scapula injury, Anders produces Elise Eden; Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing? Owning the super villain; more Floydphil no more and communication; Breathe in breathe out...go with the flow of the breath.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- She Beats All-Praying for Rain
- Wim Hof
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram @bandofthesky
Rich finally locates the nude centerfold of former WSKY morning guy and outsized personality, Farmer Russ. See it at Band of the Sky Instagram account; Bill talks the pitfalls, pressure and reality of managing a Pink Floyd tribute band.
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Battle Flag-GEEZER
- Kings are Flying-RTFK
- Get it Right-Rattlesnakes
- WAR-RTFK
- Outro:RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram@bandofthesky
Rich and Bill recall Batcave Philharmonic which was an offshoot of MTV Unplugged and included three members of Praying for Rain. Batcave Phil was one of the first acoustic, cover bands in Asheville. Jeff Anders parlayed Batcave Phil into several cover bands in the following decades, including Social Function and his current gig, Commodore Fox, with Bobby Ingle (Ingles); Rich remembers the time Michael Jordan was in the audience during a Batcave show; Running and finding the kick; One time Rich wished a fellow musician "Good Luck" only to have the musician tell him he didn't believe in luck because of the word's resemblance to Lucifer. No shit.
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram@bandofthesky
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- War Kills-Richie Tipton
- She's the Kind of Girl-Rudy Colombo
- Good Luck Kid-Matthew Knights
- Outro-RTFK
Farmer Russ (Russ Offhaus) was a hugely popular morning DJ who posed nude for the local "Native Stone" newspaper's centerfold, in 1972. The stunt caused a sensation. People said, "He oughta be run out of town on a rail." The photo was a parody of Burt Reynolds nude centerfold in Cosmopolitan the same year. We haven't seen the photo; Bill tells the story of a repulsive practical joke played out in a Sky City coat rack.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Cherry Lane-Rich and Rock
- Cherry Lane-Rudy Colombo
Most Band of the Sky conversations between Rich and Bill are off the cuff. One topic leads to another like ripples in a pond created by a rock thrown into its center. Today's conversation unrolls across four decades to the present year. In 2017, Phillip Stroupe II broke through a law enforcement perimeter headed by the then Henderson County Sheriff. Stroupe kidnapped and murdered a pillar of the Mills River community ultimately resulting in the Sheriff losing his job in the next election. In what was considered a law enforcement failure, and coupled with the murderous actions of a stone cold killer, 68 year old Tommy Bryson's body was left in an Arden corn field.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Sweet Rita #2-Rudy Colombo
- Plain Clothes Sheriff-Rich and Rock
- Outro-RTFK
Instagram @bandofthesky
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Rich and Bill discuss liars, especially those who tell obvious lies for no reason.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Cough Music (not COVID)-Various
- Strong Man-N.C. Rail
- 'A Vucchella-Enrico Caruso
- The Ballad of Curtis Lowe-Lesson with ODWB
- The Ballad of Jimmy the French-Praying for Rain
- You Don't Know Me-RTFK
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram @bandofthesky
Rich and Bill return from break to talk about the skill of the Artemis Pyle Band-- which features an all Asheville lineup straight out of the Band of The Sky 90s.; Bill recalls an impromptu dance competition (dance off) between two guys wearing dusters... "Guys who dance alone to Skynyrd's "Simple Man,"' to paraphrase Bill.
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Lonesome Too-RTFK
- Wish You Love-N.C. Rail
- White Man on My Trail-Richie Tipton
- The Ballad of Jimmy the French-Praying for Rain
- Sin-Praying for Rain
- Wish You Love-N.C.Rail
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram @bandofthesky
Bill remembers mentor and friend, George Wilkins Jr., who was known as the musical soul of Flat Rock Playhouse and was once featured in Life Magazine about kids with high IQs; Confrontation and who gets to do it; Life in GEEZER; Wim Hof Method.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Hell Brain-Twisted Richards
- Cherry Lane-Rudy Colombo
- War Kills-Richie Tipton
- Lost in You-Richie Tipton
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram@bandofthesky
Rich tells the story of a high school bully goat who met his match when Rich's old man came to a midnight showdown in a bank parking lot. The bully goat thought the showdown was between him, his henchmen and Rich. The bully goat was sent packing; Bill remembers Sea of Souls and discusses the curse of hometown popularity. Why go on the road when you can simply go uptown? Meanwhile the world passes by without your jam and fickle hometown gets tired; Tornadic.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Dig in-Twisted Richards
- Get it Right-Rattlesnakes
- Discoid-GEEZER
- The Ballad of Jimmy the French-Praying for Rain
- Outro-RTFK
www.richietipton.com
www.richandrock.com
Instagram @bandofthesky
Disco was white hot when MIT graduate Robert Doc White opened Doc's Rock Shop at 951 Merrimon Ave. Combining contemporaneous newspaper accounts, Rich and Bill remember the venue, and the murder of White by two "Asheville Youths." White was a club owner and is relevant to Band of the Sky timeline. Doc's Rock Shop was a big deal in the day, a disco for young people. A place to go. It's a sad and sordid tale; also, Steve Summey from Red Tape, and Smugglers Den luminaries are discussed; Giving John Black his due; Slamming drummers, Rocky Lindsley, Charlie McClellan and Will (Billy Bowden) are recalled; Wim Hof Method.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Discoid-Geezer
- Why Didn't You-Anthem Williams
- Discoid-Geezer
- Watch Me Bleed-Praying for Rain (Caution: Watch Me Bleed, at 11:06, is hot. I caught it after the download. I apologize.)
- I'm Happy-Rich and Rock
- Hey, Hey-You Dirty Rats
- Outro-RTFK
In our extemporaneous, jazz, noir show Rich riffs on Daylight Savings Time and recording in Raleigh with Geezer;Bill promotes Floyd Philharmonic.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- La Dark Jazz Radio 24 hour stream
- Bill's Insta Promo
- Outro-RTFk
Bill and Rich discuss a recent show at FR8Yard in Spartanburg, S.C. with Bill's Imij of Soul, and Rich with Matthew Knights vehicle, GEEZER; Rich wonders about going to Raleigh to record with GEEZER and the "Dream Assassin."; "What's the matter with pointed criticism you bunch of softies?"
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Penny for Your Thoughts
- "YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!"-McEnroe
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram @bandofthesky
The poor fragile artist. Even the greatest among them have bouts of doubt, frustration, confusion and neediness. Rich reads a passage from "Epitaph of a Small Winner," by Michado De Assis, to illustrate the battles in the head of the poor, misunderstood thing; a prophet needs to go out of town to be recognized as a prophet. Amen, Jim.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Thunder Rock-Rocky Lindsley
- Kings are Flying'-RTFK
- Geezer Rehearsal Snippet
- Outro-RTFK
Bart Cole mistakes potted meat for dog food and for a while is known as "Mighty Dog." However, he should have been nicknamed "Mister Ed" because more than likely he had a horse meat sandwich. Would you eat a horse? What kind of bird would you not eat?
Beef tripe, Jim?
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Apocalyptic Mass Horrific Super Psychedelilicious Drive by Suicide-Rich and Rock
- Free as A Bird-RTFK
- Can't Let a Day Go By-Rich and Rock
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram @bandofthesky
Breaker, breaker 1-9... in episode 68, Bill and Rich put the hammer down between the fence posts. You got your ears on? We're eating high-speed chicken feed,(not really, we don't do pills) our 20 is Goodrich Studio and we're blowing the doors off this CB Radio episode. 10-4. Band of the Sky...Homegrown and Self-Rising Jam; Red Sovine to Walker Hayes.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Radio Shack CB Radio Ad
- Road Rage Trucker
- Get Back Home-RT
- Outro-RTFK
www.richietipton.com
www.richandrock.com
Instagram:@bandofthesky
Asheville loses one of its seminal figures. Two time Grammy award winner Eliot Wadopian (Paul Winter Consort, Asheville Symphony Orchestra, Greenville, S.C. Symphony Orchestra, substitute bassist for Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Free Planet Radio, Inside Out, among many professional and personal accomplishments) dead at 63. Bill recalls his friendship with Wadopian.
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Wind Chimes and Drone
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton
Instagram:@bandofthesky
In what seems like a bad Steven King story, a black metal band appeared at the Lexington Ave. Brewery and doused the venue and audience with pig blood, briefly closing the establishment and putting dozens out of work. Is this art or a cheap trick? Cheap, cheap cheap, little chicken. Outrage to outrage. What happened to those punks?
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Like I Wore You-You Dirty Rats
- War Kills Babies Too-Richie Tipton
- The Ballad of Jimmy the French-Praying for Rain
- Interlude-Grim Charles
- Dig in-Twisted Richards
- Beautiful Satan-Richie Tipton
- Why Didn't You?-Anthem Williams
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram:@bandofthesky
Does the church use hypnosis to put and keep people in the building? Knowingly or unknowingly, the answer appears to be yes, the cadence is hypnotic.
From the greeter at the door to the emotional music to the preacher's delivery, all is used to massage the spirit and boost dopamine; Also, the influence of the church on popular culture. Lots of musicians, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, among others, cite the church, or church going as a major influence on their music; Rich recalls going to church as an impressionable kid where a banty rooster preacher, soaked in sweat, climbed church pews, screamed bloody murder, threatened him with hell fire and made a front man out of him.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- I'mma Telling Ye Today-Uh: Hateful Banty Rooster Preacher (HBRP)
- Vote for God-The Honey Cut Bear Type (HCBT)
- For God I'll Live for God I'll Die-HBRP
- If you Suffer as a Christian Let Him Not Be Ashamed-HCBT
- Tennessee-RTFK
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
Instagram: @bandofthesky
Rich and Bill return to discuss recent deaths of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, and ZZ Top bass player Dusty Hill; southern rock burners Molly Hatchet and southeast powerhouse Nantucket are recalled.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Burning Man-Richie Tipton
- Plain Clothes Sheriff-Rich and Rock
- Livin' in the 90s (intro)-Rattlesnakes
- Heavy Rock-Rocky Lindsley
- Firty Firty Minutes-Bart Cole
- It Can't be Love-Anthem Williams
- Muzak
- Plain Clothes Sheriff-Rich and Rock
- Jesus was a Black Man-Billy Graham
- Outro-RTFK
www.richietipton.com
www.richandrock.com
Instagram: @bandofthesky
Scott Raines and The RoosterTones are recalled; The negative visceral reaction of some to N.C. Rail and the broken glass voice-hate, scorn and anger; Bill remembers seeing Praying for Rain, who'd recently crossed its Rubicon, opening for Cry of Love, in Greenville, S.C.; "Engineer" is found. "Engineer man got the fix when my love wouldn't do."
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Rita-RoosterTones rehearsal
- Engineer-Richie Tipton
- Blooming There Snippets-N.C. Rail
- Cowboy-RoosterTones on Hank III bill
- Giving up the Ghost-Praying for Rain (PFR)
- The Ballad of Jimmy the French-PFR
- Heat up the Spoon-PFR
- Ghost outro-PFR
- MUZAK
- Outro-RTFK
www.richietipton.com
www.richandrock.com
Short stack: Boy, Bill really has a problem with Raygene Hardin's vocal style. He's also funny as hell.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Blooming There-N.C. Rail
- Outro-RTFK
Rich talks his recent Spartanburg appearance, after a seven year absence, with Matthew Knights and his group Geezer; Bill's Big Block Dodge fusion, featuring music from the album, "Manifold Destiny."
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- SoL-Big Block Dodge
- Lyle's House of Ill-Big Block Dodge
- Erik's Johnson-Big Block Dodge
Bill declares "Purple Rain" officially over as a cover along with a few other tried and true arrows in our collective quivers; Rich recalls forgetting the words to "Purple Rain" during Rocky Lindsley's Celebration of Life ceremony. If you hear the sound of drums on Band of The Sky you're probably listening to Rocky Lindsley; running into Steve Weams after 25 years. "Fins to the left...fins to the right."
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- She Beats All-Praying for Rain (PFR)
- We like Candy-PFR
- Click Refresh-Rocky Lindsley
- Live and Let Smile-Rich
- Outro-RTFK
Bill plays guitar; Rich and Bill decide to play and sing a little of the coda to "Reasons"; Universal musical devices such as the chromatic descending single note over the chord progression on "Something," "Blue Skies," "These Arms of Mine," "Stairway to Heaven," "Piece of Silver," and "Bleeding Heart" are discussed; Small market, premium players.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Reasons-Rattlesnakes
- Tripping through your Wires-Rattlesnakes
- Bleeding Heart-Richie Tipton
- Road Ragers-Rich
- Outro-RTFK
www.richandrock.com
www.richietipton.com
bandofthesky49@gmail.com
www.instagram.com/bandofthesky
Satan he wants me. Satan he tries. He flies at my doorway and claws at my eyes. Sometimes I believe him when he looks like you-dressed as a woman, shooting guns. He's there in the powder. He's there in my friends. He's there on the ladder and the hole I'm in. Wish I could defeat him, but you've rendered me weak. Now I'm your fallen angel in your victory seat. Beautiful Satan, your reign's never ending. Dressed there in satin-your porches in bunting.
Satan's a prick. He lives in the ground. Hotter than pokers' and tighter than sound. Sometimes I regret it, but I always give in. He gets the credit for the shape that I'm in. Beautiful Satan, your reign's never ending. Dressed there in satin-your porches in bunting.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- The Ballad of Jimmy the French-Praying for Rain
- Beautiful Satan-Richie Tipton
- Watchman for the House of Israel-Bele Chere Street Preacher and Kid with Vevuzula
- The Ballad of Jimmy the French-PFR
- Hidden Track-PFR
- Put Some Thought in to your Hate-Rich
- Outro-RTFK
Club owner pulls gun instead of cash. Rattlesnakes react exacting almost simultaneous revenge; looking for an illustrator.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Highly over You-RTFK
- Straight to Hell-N.C. Rail
- Paul Fox Produce Section Music
- Outro-RTFK
Dark Shadows; Snippets from the 1989 Asheville Christmas Jam with Matt Sluder, Rocky Lindsley, Mickey Hayes and Warren Haynes on "No Way Out."; Ronnie Burgin shout out to the band; "Mickey!"; Whose idea was the Christmas Jam? The origins? Rich answers through Asheville Citizen Times newspaper articles.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Trading Licks-Warren Haynes and Matt Sluder
- One Way Out-Warren Haynes, Mickey Hayes, Matt Sluder, Rocky Lindsley (Thanks to Mickey Hayes)
- Save Some Room-Praying for Rain
- Swinging Records-??
- "Mickey!"-Ronnie Burgin
- Highly over You (outro)-RTFK
Band of the Sky...Homegrown... self-rising jam.
World quality. An episode about the two sides of Crystal Zoo--the bouncy, funky Zoo and the heavy laden Zoo. Matt Sluder (Dixie Deluxe, Barnes Sluder Group, Crystal Zoo, RPM) played in the first life of the Crystal Zoo, the lighter, bouncier sound which also included Jeff Anders (Praying for Rain, Crystal Zoo, Batcave Philharmonic)who'd go on to write tunes with Warren Haynes; Band of the Sky co-host Bill Altman played in the heavy Zoo and is featured on this episode; The marvelous Keith Flynn is the musical bed for all the characters of this episode I can't pry out of my head. "Piece of Silver."
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Piece of Silver-Keith Flynn and the Holy Men, Live at Diana Wortham Theatre, 2011
- Piece of Silver-Crystal Zoo
- Dr. Bitterly-Keith Flynn and the Holy Men, from "Nervous Splendor"
- Piece of Silver-Crystal Zoo
- "Mickey"-Ronnie Burgin, outro, 1989 Christmas Jam at 45 Cherry
- Outro-RTFK
Rich mixes cuts from Praying for Rain and Dixie Deluxe illustrating a common sound, style and structure between the groups which Rich argues created an Asheville Sound;The tremendous influence of Matt Sluder and late 80s and 90s era players who torched the town with youth and talent; Bill remembers Mike Barnes, Matt Sluder, Elliot Wadopian and their group Helix and draws life parallels between Sluder and Barnes; Crystal Zoo's inspiration and influence.
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Unwrapped-Praying for Rain (Demo)
- Edge of The Country-Dixie Deluxe
- Wild and Abandoned-Dixie Deluxe
- Here We Go-Praying for Rain
- Reasons-Rattlesnakes
- Outro-RTFK
Bill, Rudy and Rich talk about ramifications of working in a post punk political outfit; excerpts from the cryptic Blood Sperm tape, which was found in a phone booth at an Exxon off Merrimon Ave. in 1996; Rich, as Billy the Six, introduces "Kings are Flying" at B6 show at Stella Blue; Local update and "Rail Yeah!" to our international listeners.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Sanguinary Fluid-Blood Sperm
- World Spins Around-Gypsy Moths
- The Ballad of Jimmy the French-Praying for Rain
- Rendition Motherfucker-Billy the Six
- Like I wore You-You Dirty Rats
- Outro-RTFK
Matthew Knights is a songwriter of the highest quality. He can blur the line between faith and knowledge, make you believe in Jesus Christ with his song "Easter," or have you question everything you've known with "Good Luck Kid." In all he does he's authentic, prophetic, and the deepest, hardest, softest human, man, star, universe in my god almighty world--the sum of all emotions in human experience. We are blessed to know him and hear him. His music makes me feel young and old, compliant and defiant, faithful and faithless and revives my hope in music and musicians. Rudy Colombo, who introduced me to Matthew Knights, is in the studio as a guest and talks about Knights profound influence on him. I do a lot of living when I listen to Matthew's music. Now I'm going to wipe the tears from my swollen face-Rich
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Penny for Your Thoughts-Matthew Knights
- Good Luck Kid-Matthew Knights
- She's Got a Mind of Her Own-Matthew Knights
- Let it Go-Matthew Knights
- Waiting for The Perfect Girl-Matthew Knights
- EASTER-Matthew Knights
- Angelyne-Matthew Knights
- Rita-N.C. Rail
- Penny for Your Thoughts-Matthew Knights
- Everything I know about Drugs I Learned in School-Matthew Knights
- I'm Just Lucky-Matthew Knights
- Outro-RTFK
Rudy Colombo ponders the Asheville music scene in the 90s and today...where local is national--Reigning Sound, Band of Horses, Drunken Prayer, Floating Action; Creating Billy the Six; the sneaky brilliance of Holiday Childress (Goodies) guitar work; Canadian Tuxedos and Americana; the many and variegated branches of the Asheville music scene.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Sunday Shroud-Anthem Williams
- Kings are Flying-Billy the Six (live at Stella Blue)
- Tired of Them-RTFK
- Rita-N.C. Rail
- Empty Farmhouse-Rudy Colombo
- Palin-You Dirty Rats
- Outro-RTFK
Acoustic Apocalypse and the Eye of the Tiger: old friend, old soul, neighbor, bandmate and songwriter Rudy Colombo (N.C. Rail, Gypsy Moths, You Dirty Rats, Humbuckers...) talks mid-90s Asheville, and seeing old friends, local bands, "The Poles," and "Shun" the previous night in town; the healthy relationships in Rudy's group, "You Dirty Rats"; tolerating the talented and contempt for the audience; feeling the room; creating N.C. Rail.
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Like I Wore You-You Dirty Rats (YDR)
- The Kinda Kinda Girl-Rudy Colombo
- Palin-YDR
- Outro-RTFK
Rich reads listener mail to Bill; Rich and Bill improvise "Listener Mail" theme song; thanks and a mighty "Rail Yeah!"to our listeners! Keep them cards and letters coming at richofthesky49@gmail.com.
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- TV, Radio Beds
- Listener Mail Theme-Bill and Rich
- That's George!-George
- Outro-RTFK
Rich and Bill come to America via their ancestors who came and fought on opposite sides during the American Revolution; the story of a couple of married teenagers--Charlie Silver, 19, and 18 year old Frankie Stewart Silver. Frankie was the first woman hanged in N.C. for killing Charlie with an ax, chopping him in pieces and scattering him around the old home place in Kona, N.C.; the power of Bob Dylan, even as a boy.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- The Ballad of Jimmy the French-Praying for Rain
- Trailer Park-N.C. Rail
- Frankie and Charlie-Rich demo
- Frankie and Charlie-RTFK
- "I Can't Get in the Hou',"-George Silver
- Outro-RTFK
Champions: Set to the ancient call of the Jack Dempsey v. Jess Willard fight, (1919) Hard Hearted Bill tells how he came by the moniker and dropped it when he went "straight."; constructive criticism and thin skin; the sins of the Holiday Inn; beware the glad hander and back slapper.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Hello Lester-Lester's Relatives
- Gravity-Crystal Zoo
- Jack Dempsey V. Jess Willard Call
- Sin-Praying for Rain
- Your Voice in the Window Pane Makes Me High-Richie Tipton
- Outro-RTFK
Near death experiences with the "white light" and seeing dead relatives; does good natured ragging of band mates, "giving the business," work to motivate? What about with highly sensitive southern players? Is it a matter of geography?
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Cherry Lane-Richie Tipton and Rocky Lindsley
- Baby Got Me Down (Shovel) Rudy Colombo
- Save Some Room-Praying for Rain (PFR)
- Ferry-Anthem Williams
- Sunday Shroud-Anthem Williams
- John Friendly Cussed John Jung So Bad-Anthem Williams
- Save Some Room-PFR
- Outro-RTFK
Inspirational entertainer, mover, shaker and all around great guy, Jim Burns joins the celestial band of the sky. Rest In Peace, Jim. You'll always be a Hollywood Brat to me. Jim was 71; deconstructing Bill Altman who sort of offers an apology.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Playing Around-Bill Altman
- Sunday Shroud-Anthem Williams
- When the Sky-N.C. Rail
- Outro-RTFK
In the mid to late 90s John Clontz was a fixture on the Asheville music scene. He ran Alternative Pub--formerly the Brass Tap, McTap, and later Johnny Lee's. The Alternative Pub address, 633 Merrimon Ave., is as much a character as the musicians on Band of The Sky; John remembers working in the old building, having to leave it, the many wonderful bands passing through his bar, and a city on edge following the 1997 Amber Lundgren disappearance and murder which prompted him to cart van loads of people home from his bar after closing each night; Also, Alternative Pub doorman, George Silver, tells the story, "Hootie and the BlowPHISH," about meeting a guitarist on his way to join Phish at a Hootie and the Blowfish show. Silver was recorded in 1997 on a 4-track in Rich's apartment after a night on the town.
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Funeral-Rudy Colombo
- Gravity-Crystal Zoo
- Here We Go-Praying for Rain
- Moment of Silence-Null
- White Man on My Trail-Twisted Richards
The night Ray Gene Hardin completed his self sabotage.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Livin' in the 90s-Rattlesnakes
- Blooming There-N.C. Rail
- Outro-RTFK
Navigating the jack ass artist.
If You hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- War-RTFK
- Julie-N.C. Rail
- The Ballad of Jimmy the French-Praying for Rain
- Outro-RTFK
When it comes to love thy neighbor as thyself a lot of Christians ostensibly self loathe; Forgetting the lessons of Sunday school; Jesus loves the Raging Heathens.
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Why Can't Everybody Love Everybody Again-Anthem Williams
- In America-Richie Tipton
- This Radio Plays Itself-Anthem Williams
- The Fire Crows-Crackling Fire
- Christmas Puppy-Twisted Richards
- Tired of Them-RTFK
- Pillow Talk-Richie Tipton, Rocky Lindsley
- Outro-RTFK
Raging heathens discuss "Peak Richard" in N.C. Rail; Friendly bondage; Bill hopes for Jesus' return.
If You Hear The Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Trailer Park-N.C.Rail
- Sex-N.C. Rail
- Outro-RTFK
Southeast powerhouse cover band Mainway was a revolving door of Asheville musicians before morphing into legendary Stripp band and a Yogi's run; technology anxiety; addiction; can't fix a donut diet...pass the smokes; Loopers looping, who have looped and will loop while looping loops on looping ad infinitum...
If You Hear The Sound:
- Intro-RTFK
- Laundrymat Heart-Richie Tipton (RT)
- Garden-RT and Rocky Lindsley
- Young Birds-Verde Spring Band
- Don't Bomb Me Grandma-Rich and Bill
- Ferry-Anthem Williams
- Like I Wore You-You Dirty Rats
- Outro-RTFK
Bill gives a short lesson on American music with a cigar box guitar; the blues, the seeds of classic rock. Check out Bill's cigar box blues every morning on Instagram, #yourmorningblues; baby boomer and generation Z's differing approach to releasing content; old school and no school.
If You Hear the Sound:
- Intro- RTFK
- Verde Birds-Verde Spring Band
- Lightning Long John-A Chain Gang
- Hello, Hello-Anthem Williams
- Outro-RTFK
Our long time friend, Bart Cole died this past Sunday. I was friends with him for over 40 years. We had a rapport that only four decades could build. This is a short outake from the "Wide and Deep with Brother Bart," podcast. I wanted to keep this short and sweet to show the dynamic we had and to remind myself it's not coming back. Rest In Peace, old horse.
If You Hear The Sound of Music You're Listening to:
- Highly Over You (Intro and outro)-Richie Tipton and The First Kings
Self-proclaimed "hot head," Bill the Pill challenges Black Crow's guitarist, and known hot head, Rich Robinson to "get down." Rich and Bill talk Euro-trash-metal-thrasher Randy Rector and jamming, night spot Smugglers Den; the graciousness of Artemis Pyle keyboardist Brad Durden; also Rich and Bill react to real time text informing Rich Bart Cole is dying.
If You hear The Sound of Music You're Listening to:
- Intro-RTFK
- The Ballad of Jimmy The French-Praying for Rain
- Rita-N.C. Rail
- Stream Engine-Richie Tipton
- Ferry-Anthem Williams
- My Own Backyard-Anthem Williams
- T's in Texas P's in Spain-Anthem Williams
- John Penley Cussed John Young-Anthem Williams
- Birds and Water-Verde Spring Band
- Outro-RTFK
Rich and Bill discuss the intricacies of seemingly simple country drumming; also, there's no money above the fifth fret; late, organist Gene Brown taught Henderson Bill how to play the song "Borderline," and in doing so imparted a giant life lesson; hearing a band you haven't heard in a while or completely forgotten.
If You Hear The Sound of Music You're Listening to:
- Intro-RTFK
- Rhyming Club-Anthem Williams
- Bleeding Heart-Richie Tipton
- Hell Brain-Twisted Richards
- Sex-N.C. Rail
- Birds and Water-Verde Farm Morning
- Night Birds-Verde Farm Nights
- Click Refresh-Rocky Lindsley
- Hello Lester-???
- Outro-RTFK
Rich and Bill recall local rock stars Bruce McTaggert and Madcap; also the RPM suicides; fragility and lack of control.
If Your Hear the Sound of Music You're Listening to:
- Intro: Highly Over You-Richie Tipton and The First Kings (RTFK)
- Why Didn't You-Twisted Richards
- Would You I Would-Praying for Rain
- Bele Chere Street Preacher Versus The Black Headed Kid with A Vuvuzelas Horn
- Outro: Highly Over You (RTFK)
Elvis, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Franz Kafka...For every artist who's made it there are countless others who did not. Bill explains why the true rock star in Elvis fashion is dead; Does the unpublished genius even matter?
If You Hear the Sound of Music You're Listening to:
- Highly Over You (Intro and Outro)-Richie Tipton and The First Kings (RTFK)
- Free as A Bird-RTFK
- Verde Crickets
Everybody knew he was special. He was a young, black, guitar playing virtuoso who'd done summer session in Los Angeles at GIT. He wowed them all at the Brass Tap, UNCA and Musicians Workshop. But something happened to his light after a stint on the road with a country band. Asheville's Ronnie Paul was never the same.
If you hear the sound of music you're listening to:
- Intro-Richie Tipton and The First Kings (RTFK)
- Free as A Bird-RTFK
- Rattlesnakes-Nice to See You
- Outro-RTFK
Bill claims an opportunity was lost when local groups were left out of the jams along about 1997; Remembering Ronnie Burgin, the tragic, gravel-throated blues man who was the local, southern rock gatekeeper.
If you hear the sound of music you're listening to:
- Highly over You (intro)-RTFK
- Take These Flowers-RTFK
- The Ballad of Jimmy the French-Praying for Rain
- Rita-N.C. Rail
- Highly over You (outro) RTFK
This stuff is madness. Update on the Old Dirty White Boy, Derkie White, who moved from the trailer in W.Va to a trailer in Va. with his girlfriend Shanea; and all they want to do is work him to death putting in hot water heaters so he throws it off the porch and destroys five phones; whose needles?; leaked audio and photos may or may not be a game changer in this drama.
If you hear the sound of my voice you're listening to:
- Highly Over You-Richie Tipton and The First Kings
- Straight to Hell-N.C. Rail
- Derkie audio excerpt from Chevy Triple Nickel 555 YouTube Channel
- Highly Over You-RTFK
"The mask started changing its appearance."
Rich and Bill discuss coincidence, evil and the attachment of evil to objects, places and people; Bill tells the story about the connection between a changing death mask and its spooky connection to Asheville's Babyface Killer.
If You Hear The Sound of Music You're Listening To:
- Intro: Sex-N.C. Rail
- Soundtrack: Verde Life
- Treasure Chest of Skin
- Outro: Highly over You
Rich plays tunes from River Rock II, the 1992 Asheville music sampler sponsored by Kiss FM and Coors; and talks about hanging flyers, newspaper coverage, driving a paint delivery truck and listening to Kiss FM and WZLS.
If you hear the sound of music you are listening to:
- Heaven-Praying for Rain
- Gave It All Away-Mother Soul
- Here I Go-The Stripp Band
- Ariana-Robin Farrar
The return of Bill Altman; The studio flooded so I called Bill and asked him what he thought the Capitol rioters expected to happen after they raided the Capitol onJan. 06.; Bill's message.
If you hear the sound of music, you are listening to:
- BOTS Theme--RTFK
- The Ballad of Jimmy The French--Praying for Rain
- Happy--Rich and Rock
- BOTS Theme--RTFK
A follow up to "Hillbilly Soap Opera," Jay Hill, Boone County, W.Va. native and Jesco White guitarist and handler, calls the podcast and talks his appearance with Jesco White at the Grand Ole Opry; the one where they got ripped out of the frames and Jesco had to be dragged off the Ryman stage and escorted out of Tennessee by the state police.
Also, Jay talks about his personal relationship with the White family and why they are the way they are; the difference between the Jesco generation of the White family and the ODWB Derkie wing.
Featuring the music of The Dirty Coal River Band and Jesco tapping rhythm.
If You Hear The Sound of Music You're Listening to:
- Highly Over You--Richie Tipton and The First Kings (RTFK)
- Long Day--Dirty Coal River Band (DCRB)
- Rescue Me--DCRB
- Rivers to The Sea--Charlie Davis (written by Jay Hill)
- Highly Over You--RTFK
Jesco White is Derkie White's uncle. Derkie White is infamous for shaking a pill bottle in the movie, "Wild and Wonderful White's of West Virginia," calling it the Boone County mating call.
Derkie White hosts a YouTube livestream from a trailer where he lives with his mama, brother, girlfriend and others and is a 34 year old narcissist.
Scooter Truthers are an unaffiliated or loosely affiliated group of people on YouTube who release videos to hold Derkie accountable for his lies and scams. It's raw, hillbilly drug culture drama set in the coal fields of West Virginia and Rich tries his best to explain it.
If you hear the sound of music, you're listening to:
- Get Back Home-Anthem Williams
- Watch Me Bleed-Praying for Rain
- World Spins Around-Gypsy Moths
- Frankie and Charlie-Richie Tipton and The First Kings
- Trailer Park-N.C. Rail
- Get Back Home-Anthem Williams
- Highly over You-Richie Tipton and The First Kings
As a kid, Rich is told the wrong lyrics to Jesus Christ Superstar and told to stay away from the blasphemous play and soundtrack lest he burn in hell. In this episode Bill sets the record straight.
If You Hear The Sound of Music You're Listening to:
- Highly Over You-Richie Tipton and The First Kings(RTFK)
- Let Me Down-Rich and Rock
- Bleeding Heart-Richie Tipton
- Beautiful Satan-Richie Tipton
- Highly Over You-RTFK
Episode 25: Rich remembers and features the music of the late Rocky Lindsley (friend, bandmate, podcast partner and the rock in richandrock) while touching on love, loss, hope, grief, superstition and the art of carrying on.
- Plain Clothes Sheriff-Rocky Lindsley, Richie Tipton, Jeff Anders
- Sails Away - Rock Lindsley
- Click Refresh - Rocky Lindsley with Johnny Jump
- Happy - Richie Tipton with Rocky Lindsley and Johnny Jump
- Still Falling - Rocky Lindsley
I love you. Memories and nostalgia. Suffering the past. Art makes us naked.
- Highly Over You, Richie Tipton and The First Kings (RTFK)
- Chicken Rawk-Anthem Williams
- Highly Over You, RTFK
- It Can't be Love, Anthem Williams
- Highly Over You, RTFK
Rich riffs about bassist, Danny Kelyon and Dennis Robbins' (songwriter, guitarist for The Rockets and Flat Rock) appearance on The Midnight Special with The Rockets.
The Midnight Special, pre-MTV, was about the only place a young man with stars in his heart could see live music. Rich remembers Danny Keylon and the greatness of Asheville and its band of stars.
- Bright as It Is Day-Rich and Rocky Lindsley
- Chicken Rawk-Richie
- Here I Go-Stripp
- Desire-The Rockets
Dank Halloween; Pugilist in the pandemic; The consequences of peddling evil; evil as artistic lever; reactive and reenacting; High School Rich punches a window.
- Beast in The City-Rudy Colombo
- Prelude-Twisted Richards
- Are You Gonna Lie to Me/Rhyming Club-Anthem Williams
- Dig In-Twisted Mister
- Coda-Twisted Richards
- Treasure Chest of Skin-Twisted Richards
- Beautiful Satan-Richie Tipton
When some rockers get old they support and become the authoritarians they railed and rebelled against. Rich and Bill can't quite figure it, although they try; Also Bill highlights Van Atkins, "the Tom Dowd of gospel music," according to Bill. Atkins is the successful, chief engineer of Crossroads Music and another example of homegrown talent... self-rising and spreading far and wide in the world; Midnight Climax, the CIA mind control acid experiments.
- "The Ballad of Jimmy the French," Praying for Rain
- "Get it Right," Rattlesnakes
- "Dig in with Gin," Twisted Richards
- "The Ballad of Jimmy the French" w/ Since His Penis...PFR
- "Interlude," Twisted Charlies
- "Cherry Lane," Richie Tipton with Rocky Lindsley, recorded by Rocky at his Bee Tree Sound Studio, late 2019.
Dank Tracks, Episode 2 explores the Dixie Deluxe (1991-1998) "Rubberized" album, produced by Eagles producer, Bill Szymczyk (Hotel California. But for geography, in my humble opinion, DD should have busted down the industry doors.
Song list in order:
- Edge of The Country
- Dirt Road
- Wild and Abandoned
- Dixie Deluxe Boat Commercial, "Rescue Me," by Jay Hill and The Dirty Coal River Band
- Dont Go There
- Workin' on Love
- If I Could See The Moon
All songs are Dixie Deluxe, except otherwise indicated.
Brother Bart Cole visits the farm and talks wide and deep about Asheville night life; Danny Phillips' Mountain Rock Fest, which included a young Warren Haynes playing with local heroes Ricochet is recalled; Post holes and friends; Also, the effects of 40 years of wringing and twisting. Great episode.
Featured music in order:
White Man on My Trail
Beautiful Satan
Your Voice in The Window Pane
White Man on My Trail
Wish You Love
All songs written by Richie Tipton 2020
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Explosive Rattlesnakes singer disrespects host band's microphone stand; The Woolusion Effect: occurs when a well placed and repeated Woo polarizes an audience causing extreme giddiness or homicidal tendencies; Pushing the envelope and paradigm shifts; the Vincent's Ear divide.
Jesus' voice at Beaver Lake.
Featured Music: "Palin" by The Humbuckers;
"War" by Richie Tipton and The First Kings and "Cowboy" by N.C. Rail both available at www.richietipton.com
"Drank" is Drunk Hank.
The time Jerry Reed mistakenly ended up on someone's house boat in someone's bedroom; David Bowie asks if anyone minds if he smokes on the elevator; Meatloaf's missing fruit trays. Bill plays.
Rich and Bill Altman discuss the short life of Kelly Holland, one of if not the best singers to come out of Asheville or anywhere. He was a drummer and father as well; and as always there's a sad story. Be careful what you wish for.
Everything from Musicians Workshop days--when for a brief time we were called The Jacks--to leaving Facebook and polarization; The Coke Bottle lady, Geneva Gardner, who walked the streets with a two-liter bottle of Coke balanced on her head is discussed; dictators and madmen.
The music bed is "Bleeding Heart" and "White Man on My Trail," "Hello Lester," from the house.
Blaze headed guitarist Bill Altman joins Rich, candidly recalling players and places, blue tuxedos and faces, music and mayhem and everything else in the god almighty world; New York stories, theater stories, Crystal Zoo tales, wins and fails and highs and woes.
Debut Dank Track (DT) episode featuring the music of the omni directional Rudy Colombo who appeared on the Asheville music scene in the early 90s and stayed active past 2010.
This first episode of DT is perfect because it sets a high bar for the following DT episodes. Most of these songs are unheard and high quality toe tapping, foot stomping, seat rocking glimpses into the complex world of Rudy Colombo and a cast of world class players.
For our purposes they are the sound of Asheville at a certain time. Featuring You Dirty Rats, The Humbuckers, and the Rudy Email Demos.
The Jesco White story is as sad as it is wild. Jesco’s friend, former manager and bandleader, Jay Hill, joins Rich and Jeff to discuss the objectification of the weak and odd; Jay tells the story of MTV at the bedside of Jesco’s dying mother.
Roots run deep and Scot Irish in this episode. Sons of Ralph bassist and double first cousin Steve Moseley discusses playing bass in bluegrass pioneer Ralph Lewis’ Sons of Ralph; the international reach and influence of Lewis Branch, Madison County. Richie performs “Christmas Puppy.”
The 80s Rattlesnake Bill Altman (Big Block Dodge, Crystal Zoo, Floyd Philharmonic) talks sacrifice, artistic satisfaction and honesty.
Bassist David Fowler talks about his long career in the music business including working with Dolly Parton and playing bass for Billy Bob Thornton.
On the field with Jeff and Rich.
Folsom Holler tells a story.
Keith Flynn’s influence on local arts scene.
The time Rich spilled water on Johnny Cash.
Jeff and Rich on the field. Folsom Holler.
Keith Flynn’s contributions to the scene.
Spilling water on Johnny Cash.
Long time mountain stomper and bassist David Bradley joins the podcast and tells the story about the time his hair caught fire on stage at Gatsbys. More Warlord.
Jeff Anders and DJ Satch join Band of The Sky. Rich and Jeff chat about 80s hard rockers Warlord. Guitarist, engineer Jack Mascari recalls working with Eagles producer Bill Szymczyk.
(Because some of the content of Episode 3 concerns musicians we know who have died, Rock and I discussed calling this episode “People Who Died.” I had reservations about using that title because Jim Carroll had already used it so well. However, I’m going to leave it. We had no idea we would never see each other again or that this show would be the last 30 minutes we would spend doing something we love. That’s why I’m proud to offer this show: People Who Died). Rich and Rock discuss “The Brothers: Celebrating 50 years of The Allman Brothers Band” at Madison Square Garden the previous night. Also, Rich and Rock remember Asheville musicians who have died. Rocky answers the question: So what if an unknown artist leaves behind a legacy of work behind after death?
From inside the pocket of the nascent age of original, local jam, former “Praying for Rain” band mates, Richie Tipton and Rocky Lindsley reunite to discuss Asheville’s rich, music history. Longtime drummer, musician, entrepreneur Rocky talks about his participation at early and recent Christmas Jams, Asheville magic, and his life as a touring musician for country music stars Lorrie Morgan and Rhett Akins. Also, embedded snippets of recent original recordings by Rich and Rock.
The blues and it's lasting influence on local, original music featuring rare, live audio of Ronnie Burgin, the tragic, gravel throated, feathered hair blues man who as a teen age player stood at the gate with Warren Haynes. Also, Asheville schools integration and its effect on the local, original music scene.