One of the standout banjo players at Chattanooga’s 2025 IBMA World of Bluegrass was Gena Britt, a founding member of the powerhouse band Sister Sadie. With a stellar solo reputation spanning over 30 years, this acclaimed picker—nominated again for IBMA Banjo Player of the Year—has teamed up with Mountain Home Music Company for her first solo album in nearly six years. Streets, Rivers, Dreams & Heartaches delivers her signature virtuosic banjo work and soulful vocals, but it also showcases an artist evolving, blending traditional bluegrass with fresh creative edges.
“I am so grateful to Mountain Home for believing in me and allowing me to create this music that I’m so very proud of,” Britt shares enthusiastically. “The musicians and singers I assembled for this project sound so good together! We first played in an all-star configuration at the Station Inn, and it was so much fun that I wanted to continue that in the studio. These guys and gals truly poured their hearts and souls into these songs, and I cannot wait for the world to hear them!”
The album features award-winning fiddler Jason Carter and his former Travelin’ McCourys/Del McCoury Band mate Alan Bartram (acoustic bass, harmony vocals), alongside singer-guitarist John Meador (Vince Gill Band) and rising mandolin star Jonathan Dillon. Additional contributions come from East Nash Grass’s Jeff Partin (resonator guitar), Dillon’s Red Camel Collective bandmate and award-winning singer Heather Berry Mabe, Balsam Range’s Caleb Smith, The Isaacs’ Ben Isaacs, and old-time banjoist Tina Steffey.
This collection paints a vivid portrait of an artist rooted in authentic bluegrass she’s mastered and shaped for decades, yet bold enough to push boundaries. Streets, Rivers, Dreams & Heartaches proves Gena Britt is hitting her musical prime—pre-save it now ahead of its November 7 release. Get it here: https://clg.lnk.to/gb-SRDH
Speaking of IBMA triumphs, my friends in The Kody Norris Show are riding high after winning the 2025 Video of the Year for “The Auctioneer.” Hot on its heels, they’ve released their latest music video for the single “Silver Eagle” from their new album Highfalutin Hillbilly. Bursting with personality and charm, the clip follows Kody and his sweetheart Mary Rachel on the road—until she eyes greener pastures (all in good fun, of course). It even boasts a surprise guest appearance by Grand Ole Opry member and country legend T. Graham Brown. For more bluegrass flair and tour info, head to thekodynorrisshow.com.
https://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Southern-Style-e1731470363325.jpg500358Randall Frankshttps://randallfranks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/r-franks-logo-1.pngRandall Franks2025-10-07 06:00:122025-09-30 22:27:36Bluegrass Brilliance: Pickin’, Grinnin’, and New Horizons
Chattanooga, Tennessee, transformed into Bluegrass Central, the ultimate destination for pickers, stars, and fans. The city buzzed with the ring of banjos and a sawing of fiddles as the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) brought its World of Bluegrass to its new home at the Chattanooga Convention Center for a five-day celebration. Unless they were performing elsewhere, musicians of all ages flocked to seminars, jam sessions, shows, and lessons covering every facet of bluegrass.
Billy Strings visits with attendees in the exhibit hall.
Every day, attendees and locals spotted icons like Steve Martin, Billy Strings, Del McCoury, Doyle Lawson, and newly inducted Hall of Famers Hot Rize and the Bluegrass Cardinals grabbing a bite at local eateries or strolling between events. The energy was electric—riding up an escalator, I overheard a young fiddler excitedly recount jamming with a legend the night before, a moment that captured the festival’s magic.
The IBMA World of Bluegrass was a resounding success in its 2025 debut at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium hosted the annual Bluegrass Awards, emceed by Steve Martin and Alison Brown, featuring unforgettable performances. Standout winners included Fiddle Player of the Year Maddie Denton with East Nash Grass, and Jason Carter and Michael Cleveland, who swept Song of the Year and Collaborative Recording of the Year for Outrun the Rain, plus Album of the Year. Authentic Unlimited won Vocal Group of the Year, The Traveling McCourys took Instrumental Group of the Year, and Jaelee Roberts earned Gospel Song of the Year for He’s Gone. Kristin Scott Benson, Gena Britt, and Alison Brown claimed Instrumental Recording of the Year for Ralph’s Banjo Special.
Jam sessions were the heart of the event, with the convention center’s hallways alive with music. Every twenty feet, young players—from toddlers clutching tiny fiddles to teens wielding banjos—jammed alongside seasoned pros, their melodies echoing through the halls. After 9:30 p.m., when the convention center closed, diehards like members of the Tennessee Bluegrass Band migrated to the nearby Marriott, jamming into the early hours.
The Tennessee Bluegrass Band
Across the city, venues showcased talents like Wyatt Ellis, Becky Buller, Little Roy and Lizzy Long, and The Kody Norris Show, which won Video of the Year for The Auctioneer. Fans mingled with heroes, snapping photos and shaking hands.
Exhibit halls hosted global band showcases and youth performers debuting skills honed in dedicated workshops. Seminars highlighted bluegrass history, including a tribute to Hazel Dickens and a panel with legends Paul Williams, Doyle Lawson, and Male Vocalist of the Year Greg Blake. Dom Flemons led a session on African American Hall of Fame inductee Arnold Shultz’s influence on pioneers like Bill Monroe.
Billy Strings, Entertainer of the Year, wondered through the exhibit hall, picking up guitars and whipping out a tune including on Jimmy Martin’s guitar—available for anyone to strum, thanks to Martin’s son—and joining Junior Sisk and New Artist of the Year Red Camel Collective for a tune before his keynote address.
On Friday and Saturday, thousands filled Miller Plaza, where four stages, including one for youth talent, showcased acts like The Infamous Stringdusters, Carter and Cleveland, and Sister Sadie. Local Chattanooga stars, including Mountain Cove Bluegrass, the Landon Fitzpatrick Band, Carl Towns and Upward Road, and Emerald Butler dazzled international audiences with their homegrown flair.
Mike Bub and Randall Franks
I was honored to direct the Special Industry and Distinguished Achievement Awards alongside producer Chris Keenan and an amazing production staff, spotlighting talents like Missy Raines and Ron Thomason. Five-time Bass Player of the Year Mike Bub served as our host for the show. One unforgettable moment was watching a young guitarist, barely taller than his instrument, beam with pride as he played alongside a bluegrass legend, a reminder of the genre’s vibrant future.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the IBMA has made Chattanooga its home for the next three years. If you love bluegrass—or want to discover your new favorite band—mark your calendar for October 20–24, 2026, and October 19–23, 2027. Visit IBMA.org to plan your trip and join the celebration!
Doodle and the Golden River Grass Georgia Music Hall of Fame Exhibit in 2003. (Photo: Peach Picked Publishing)
A Zippedy Doodle Day: An Appalachian Musical Legacy
Welcome to A Zippedy Doodle Day: An Appalachian Musical Legacy, a historic string band album and documentary, led by Randall Franks, who honors Doodle Thrower and the Golden River Grass. Additionally, funds support scholarships via the Share America Foundation and Appalachian historical preservation. Therefore, join us in this effort!
About the Project
Project Overview
Bluegrass and Americana artist/producer Randall Franks is spearheading A Zippedy Doodle Day, a historic string band album and documentary to support Appalachian music scholarships through the Share America Foundation, Inc. and the West Georgia Museum in Tallapoosa, Georgia, the hometown of John “Doodle” Thrower.
Legacy Preservation
The project builds on unreleased tracks from the late 1980s by Doodle and the Golden River Grass, featuring traditional folk recordings. This album, paired with a re-release of the band’s entire catalog, aims to preserve and share their legacy while raising funds for aspiring musicians.
“When we lost Doodle Thrower, we lost one of the cornerstones of original country music. He and his band were truly what country music is all about.” — Marty Stuart, Country Music Hall of Famer
Doodle and the Golden River Grass in the 1970s
Doodle and the Golden River Grass
Formed in 1963 as a square dance band in Tallapoosa, Georgia, Doodle and the Golden River Grass became a beloved folk act, known for their comedy, Appalachian folk songs, and upbeat tunes. Recognized as the last of the old-time Georgia fiddle bands, they were a unique part of country music history.
The band featured John “Doodle” Thrower (1929-1994) on harmonica, alongside fiddlers Seals Hicks, Bill Kee, Paul Wallace, Randall Franks, and Jerry Wesley. From the 1970s, James Watson (1935-2017) added clawhammer banjo, with long-running members including C.J. Clackum (guitar), Wesley Clackum (guitar and mandolin), the late Lynn Elliott (guitar), the late Gene Daniell (bass/sound engineer), and Steve Hesterlee (three-finger banjo).
Doodle and the Golden River Grass perform in 1990.
Cultural historian Alan Lomax described Thrower as “a little bit different from anyone we’ve met. He’s of Cornish descent, and he’s not uptight at all,” and the band as “a sort of five-piece Dixieland string band certainly as virtuosic as any gypsy orchestra. And they are playing what I’ve called ‘mountain music in overdrive’.”
Appalachian scholar Loyal Jones acknowledged Thrower in his work Country Music Humorists and Comedians. American folklorist, educator and artist Art Rosenbaum featured him in his visual art and documented the group in several recorded mediums.
A Collaborative Effort
Randall Franks (right) joins The Skillet Lickers (Phil & Russ Tanner), center, and Paul Puckett in the studio.
Randall Franks is inviting specific artists from country, bluegrass, and Americana to donate their time to record on these historic tracks, collaborating with studios near the artists for convenience.
Contributors
Bruce Boxleitner adds his voice bringing a western flair to the project.
Western icon Bruce Boxleitner, a National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Hall of Great Western Performers inductee and two-time Wrangler Award winner, is saddling up for A Zippedy Doodle Day! Bruce captivated audiences as Luke Macahan in How the West Was Won alongside James Arness to his iconic turn as Alan Bradley/Tron in Disney’s groundbreaking Tron and Tron: Legacy, Bruce has been a household name for decades. He’s battled spies as Lee Stetson in Scarecrow and Mrs. King, commanded the stars as Captain John Sheridan in Babylon 5, and brought comic charm as Billy Montana in The Gambler with Kenny Rogers. Recently, he starred as Ben Watkins in the western Far Haven (2023), proving he’s still a trailblazer.
Banjo star Gena Britt adds her talents at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville.
8-time IBMA Award winner Gena Britt – powerhouse banjo player, vocalist, and founding member of GRAMMY-nominated Sister Sadie (Mountain Home Music Company) – has joined the star-studded lineup.
Fresh off the release of her acclaimed new solo album Streets, Rivers, Dreams & Heartaches (Mountain Home Music Company), her latest accolade includes sharing the 2025 IBMA Instrumental Recording of the Year for “Ralph’s Banjo Special” with Kristin Scott Benson & Alison Brown.
Youth Dante Flores adds three-finger banjo at the Tempermill in Michigan.
Marty Hays, a veteran vocalist and bassist who shined on Rounder and Rebel Records over three decades with David Davis and the Warrior River Boys brings his soulful sound to the project enriching this folk endeavor.
Marty Hays adds vocals at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville near Nashville.
Anthony Howell goes full speed with a bit of banjo at Noxubee Hills Music Group Recording Studio in Mississippi.
As the 2023 National Banjo Champion Anthony Howell and a four-time IBMA Momentum Award nominee for Instrumentalist of the Year, Anthony brings his unique stylings on banjo and come vocals to this Appalachian musical legacy project. He has performed with notable bands including Williamson Branch, the Edgar Loudermilk Band, and most recently joined Seth Mulder & Midnight Run. Follow Anthony for more updates on his music journey at www.facebook.com/p/Anthony-Howell-Music-100048065487181/.
Dale Houston add his vocal stylings at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville
Trevor Holder adds his rolls at Witt Studio in Lafayette.
Banjo virtuoso Trevor Holder joins the stellar lineup. With Trevor’s Reno-style flair and bluegrass chops from The Price Sisters, Cutter & Cash and The Kentucky Grass, and Five Mile Mountain Road, this album and documentary are set to preserve timeless folk tunes like never before. Bluegrass Unlimited heralded him in 2025 as a “Modern Banjo Master” underscoring his rising prominence in the genre.
Country singer Dale Houston heartfelt vocals and traditional country style add a touch of timeless Americana to this collection of folk classics. Fresh off his 2024 album “That’s The Way I Am,” featuring standout tracks and recent nominations for awards like the Josie Music Awards, Dale continues to honor the roots of country music. He has collaborated with country artists such as Lee Newton on “Burning Boats” and David Frizzell on “Lefty, Merle, and Me,” and grew up immersed in the music of legends like Merle Haggard, Vern Gosdin, George Jones, and Conway Twitty. Discover more about Dale at his website: www.dalehouston.com
Jim Lauderdale and Randall Franks work in the studio adding his unique vocals to the project.
Adding his amazing vocal talents, two-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale, host of the Americana Music Awards, has penned hits for icons like George Strait, Patty Loveless, and Vince Gill and was recently inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. His illustrious career spans over 30 studio albums since 1986, blending country, bluegrass, Americana, soul, and R&B including his latest “Country Super Hits Vol. 2.” Visit his official website: https://www.jimlauderdalemusic.com/
Alex Miller records at Buck’s Place Recording near Nashville.
Traditional country singer Alex Miller, Billy Jam Records artist, who skyrocketed to fame on American Idol in 2021 at just 17, brings his soulful voice and masterful guitar pickin’ to the album. With hits like “I’m Over You, So Get Over Me,” “She Makes Dirt Look Good,” and his recent songs “Oh Odessa,” “Secondhand Smoke,” and “My Appalachian Home.” Alex has proven he’s a force in traditional country.
At Buck’s Place Recording, Robert Montgomery frails his way in A Zippedy Doodle Day.
The 2004 Old-Time Banjo National Champion Robert Montgomery is renowned for his excellent singing and banjo playing, performing with groups like David Davis & the Warrior River Boys and Alan Sibley & The Magnolia Ramblers. His latest release is Ol’ Times Not Forgotten. He joins other top artists to support Appalachian music scholarships and historical preservation. Follow Robert on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertmontgomerymusic .
Kody Norris makes his vocal and musical additions at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville.
Fresh off dominating the awards circuit — including 2024 SPBGMA Entertainer of the Year, 7 total SPBGMA wins, 2025 IBMA Music Video of the Year for “The Auctioneer,” Kody’s personal Guitar Performer of the Year honors, and guest starring appearances on the iconic Grand Ole Opry stage — Rebel Records artist Kody Norris of The Kody Norris Show brings his powerhouse vocals and blistering guitar picking to this collaboration is pure mountain magic in the making! His 2025 album Highfalutin Hillbilly and current single ‘Waitress, Waitress’ — continue to shine in traditional bluegrass!
Ronnie & Justin Reno record at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville.
Bluegrass legend Ronnie Reno, 2016 SPBGMA Preservation Hall of Greats, and his talented son Justin Reno add their authentic Appalachian vibes to our whimsical journey. The son of Don Reno, from Ronnie’s early days performing on The Old Dominion Barndance at age seven to collaborating with giants like Merle Haggard, The Osborne Brothers, and his hit TV show Reno’s Old Time Music (now streaming on Country Road TV), the 2013 IBMA Broadcaster of the Year’s legacy is woven into the heart of American roots music. Joining him is Justin Reno, a gifted guitarist who’s been stepping into the spotlight alongside his dad and with other Nashville bands.
Mike Scott adds his licks at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville near Nashville.
Legendary banjo stylist Mike Scott brings his unmistakable hard-driving three-finger style and vocals to the project, bringing a 50+ year career of entertaining in every state in the US except Hawaii and 54 countries, 450 Grand Ole Opry performances, and playing with Jim & Jesse McReynolds, Carl Story, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent and more.
Opry Star Ketch Secor records for A Zippedy Doodle Day with Morgan Jahnig at Hartland Studios, Nashville, TN.
Grammy-winning Grand Ole Opry star Ketch Secor from the Old Crow Medicine Show brought his flair to a special performance alongside the Skillet Lickers with Paul Puckett! Secor penned the iconic hit “Wagon Wheel” and in 2025, he released his solo album ‘Story the Crow Told Me.’ He is currently hosting the PBS series “Tennessee Crossroads.”
The project includes contributions from the Skillet Lickers (Phil and Russ Tanner) and Paul Puckett, blending the legacies of Georgia’s first and last fiddle bands. Learn more at https://SkilletLickers.org/
Ralph Stanley II adds his artistry for engineer Jim Price at Hat Creek Recording – Jonesborough, TN.
Grammy-winning Ralph Stanley II, an acclaimed Appalachian performer from Virginia also enriches the project with his artistry. Learn more at https://ralph2.com/
Larry Stephenson, a five-time SPBGMA Contemporary Male Vocalist of the Year, Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, and acclaimed mandolin virtuoso adds his voice to the songbook. Learn more at https://larrystephensonband.com/LSB/
Bluegrass stalwart Larry Stephenson tunes up before adding his special touch at Buck’s Place Recording in Hendersonville.
Derek Stone brings an enthusiastic traditional style at Witt Studio in Lafayette.
Youth banjo stylist Derek Stone, 15, adds his approach to the album bringing a Reno style approach to one of the tunes. Derek has racked up impressive wins, including First Place Beginning Banjo, Third Place Adult Banjo (twice), and Third Place in the Bluegrass Band Competition at the Smithville Fiddler’s Jamboree, plus First Place in the Kids’ Band Competition at the Mountain City Fiddler’s Convention. Currently in 10th grade at McCallie School, he’s the banjo player for Carl Towns & Upward Road.
With Conner Vlietstra‘s fiddle, guitar, and banjo expertise from The Price Sisters, Five Mile Mountain Road, and The Tennessee Hillbuddies,helps preserve timeless folk tunes like never before. The ETSU graduate is a 2021 Grand Master Fiddle Traditional Champion whohas built a reputation for his technical skill and deep roots in Appalachian traditions. Follow Conner on Instagram @connerbullwheatstraw
Conner Vlietstra creates hot licks for A Zippedy Doodle Day at Tim Witt’s Studio in LaFayette.
Other artists working on their additions include Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris, celebrated as Entertainer of the Year and Instrumental Group of the Year wins with The Kody Norris Show, Dale Ann Bradley, a six-time IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year and two-time Grammy nominee, and #1 Billboard teen mandolin phenom Wyatt Ellis.
A diverse array of talented artists is lined up, each bringing additional richness and depth to the A Zippedy Doodle Day project. Some among those planning to join the effort are Tim Atwood, Dom Flemons, Noah Goebel, Daniel Grindstaff, Trevor Holder, Lee Newton, Marty Raybon, Alan Sibley, Margie Singleton, Smith & Wesley, and Mark Wheeler.
The Songs
We will share details of these classic folk songs as each is completed. Stay tuned for updates on this growing American Songbook contribution!
The FIRST SINGLE RELEASE IS COMING APRIL 10 on AirPlay Direct for Radio and for consumers on Amazon and Itunes. Stay Tuned ….
Support the Project
Your support can bring A Zippedy Doodle Day to life, preserving Appalachian music and empowering musicians through scholarships. Donate to the Share America Foundation, Inc.
Use this QR Code to Donate!
We are working on a CD, DVD, and digital releases. Stay tuned for updates on t-shirts and other merchandise!
You may also send tax-deductible donations via mail to Share America Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 42, Tunnel Hill, Ga. 30755.
The Documentary
A Zippedy Doodle Day : An Appalachian Musical Legacy
Randall Franks, C.J. Clackum and Wesley Clackum film interviews.
Director Randall Franks began collecting interviews for “A Zippedy Doodle Day” documentary in 2017 when he recorded audio from banjo stylist James Watson. It was at this point the surviving band members developed the idea of an anthology of their music for charity. Shortly thereafter, he began video interviews to accompany this release. Among those collected so far are band members Wesley Clackum, C.J. Clackum, Steve Hesterlee and promoter Chuck Langley.
Others who worked with or saw the band are being sought. Some album participants are also contributing significant memories. The University of Georgia Special Collections Library is working with him to include Doodle and the Golden River Grass materials from the Georgia Folklore Collection archive collected by Art Rosenbaum and other historians. The National Council of Traditional Arts and The American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress assists with materials from their archives.
James Watson and Randall Franks in 2017 in Roanoke, Ala.
Randall Franks and 1970s GRG Member Steve Hesterlee
Armuchee Bluegrass Festival Founder Chuck Langley and Randall Franks
Supporting the Future of Music
Proceeds from A Zippedy Doodle Day will benefit the Share America Foundation, Inc., founded by Randall Franks in 2006, and the West Georgia Museum. These organizations preserve Appalachian legacy and support young musicians through scholarships.
Join us in celebrating this rich musical heritage and introducing a new generation to Doodle and the Golden River Grass!
Tim Witt Studio, LaFayette, Georgia; Buck Jarrell, Buck’s Place Recording – Hendersonville, Tenn.; Engineer Jim Price, Hat Creek Recording – Jonesborough, TN; Morgan Jahnig at Hartland Studios, Nashville, TN; Engineer Erik Maluchnik at Michigan’s The Tempermill;
When available to radio in 2026 you will find us on
More Doodling
Tallapoosa dedicates its Amphitheater honoring Doodle with his widow Ezell and members of the Golden River Grass present in 1999.
Doodle and the Golden River Grass Georgia Music Hall of Fame Exhibit in 2003. (Photo: Peach Picked Publishing)
