Ramblin' Around: The Rooster's Wife Presents the Red Clay Ramblers

CONTRIBUTED

The Ramblers will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Rooster's Wife in Aberdeen.

The Red Clay Ramblers began in 1972 as a trio of musicians who had been playing in and around Chapel Hill. The original lineup included Tommy Thompson, Jim Watson, and Bill Hicks, with Mike Craver joining in 1973. The fifth "original," Jack Herrick, the only link to the current Red Clay Ramblers, joined in 1976.

In that year of firsts, the Ramblers played the first Eno Festival in Durham, were the first band ever at the legendary Down Home in Johnson City, and met Sara Carter when they played at the Carter Family Store for the first time.

For the next

decade the group toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Africa, appearing frequently on the Prairie Home Companion, acting and playing in two Off-Broadway shows and releasing nine albums on the Flying Fish and Sugar Hill labels.

Co-founder and banjo player Tommy Thompson passed away in early 2003, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Bill Hicks, Jim Watson, and Mike Craver have continued to play music together since leaving the Ramblers, and are often joined by Joe Newberry on banjo and vocals.

"That tiny kernel of the band's history should whet your appetite for more," says Janet Kenworthy of the Rooster's Wife.

Bill Hicks also performs with his wife, Libby. They have a CD on Copper Creek called "South of Nowhere," and Hicks has a solo CD, "The Perfect Gig." Hicks continues to write and perform, and he also plays fiddle with the Charlotte-based David Childers Band. Before his work with the Ramblers, Hicks was a founding member of the Fuzzy Mountain String Band.

Jim Watson currently tours with Robin and Linda Williams in Their Fine Group. He has released two solo CDs: "Don't Tell Me, I Don't Know," and "Willie's Redemption." Watson, who also performs with the Green Level Entertainers, has ushered in the Christmas season for 21 straight years with his holiday show at the Cave in Chapel Hill. Before the Red Clay Ramblers, Watson recorded with the Hollow Rock String Band on their second LP.

Mike Craver has worked in musical theater since leaving the Ramblers. New York credits include "Oil City Symphony" and "Radio Gals." Craver arranged the music for "Smoke on the Mountain," and the sequel, "Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming." He's released three solo records: "Fishing for Amour," "Wagoner's Lad," and "Shining Down," and also collaborated with Clyde Edgerton on a musical version of Edgerton's novel, "Lunch at the Piccadilly."

Joe Newberry grew up singing the old songs he learned from his family in the Ozarks, and is also known for his powerful and innovative banjo playing. In addition to playing with Jim, Mike and Bill, he plays and sings with Big Medicine. His solo CD, "Two Hands," has received glowing notices from reviewers and fans alike. Joe Newberry was featured in the February 2007 edition of the MelBay "Banjo Sessions" Webzine.

"With the many projects and commitments these talented fellows have, you can just imagine how long it took to corral them in Aberdeen," says Kenworthy.

They will play selections from their individual CDs and then ensemble songs and fiddle and dance tunes from their classic Red Clay Ramblers repertoire.

The Rooster's Wife is located at the corner of High and Blue streets in downtown Aberdeen. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $12 at the door, members pay $10, "well-behaved" children under 12, $6. Reservations can be made at (910) 944-7502 or theroosterswife@yahoo.com.