With a recent discussion on the origins of various styles I was thinking about a sub-style of old time I enjoy. I've gradually become a big fan of some of the younger old time groups like Foghorn String band, The Onlies, Bigfoot, Uncle Earl... It occurred to me recently that Doug and his band the Highwoods are the beginning of this. I know there's New Lost City Ramblers and others, but the young energy of the Highwoods String Band seems to me the birth of this modern era.
Maybe everybody already knows that. I was thinking back to the early 70s when I first heard them, and how new it seemed then. There's maybe been a lag between them and what's happening now, but still a direct connection. My girlfriend and I loved the tunes and used to sing Hop Along Peter after learning it from a cassette we made from local public radio station KRAB in Seattle.
yes indeed, along with Hollow Rock and Fuzzy Mountain. Great stuff
Highwoods: Fore-runners for The New Riders, Pure Prarie League, and wouldn't rule out the Eagles. Not only to be alive, but to be 'on scene' in those days! Wow!
We gotta celebrate the ones that are still here on Earth!
I saw them back in (I think) 1976 in Richmond, Indiana (see photo).
Doug, any memories of this tour? Outdoor stage, fairly primitive PA system. Great music!
I think the band I was in at the time played a brief warmup set.
Also on the bill was The Hotmud Family from Dayton, Ohio, and another band I can't recall.
Inspiring music to me for sure! I pretty much wore out the 'Fire on the Mountain' album I bought at the gig for probably $5.
Here is a Fiddle Hangout thread from a few years ago with a couple links to concert recordings from that era:
Yea, have listened to tracks from that album, they are great!
(I was young in 1976 however … er, missed the “live” era due to stuffed animals and roller skates…)
Doug, is that you in white hat (guitar) or are you fiddling? :-)
I would love to be at that concert … looks not too crowded, lounging on the grass…
Here is a closeup of the same photo; great action shot if I do say so myself.
Doug's on guitar.
JonD - Thanks for posting that photo. This was at Earlham? I remember the event but not the setting - I remember being in an open field, but maybe that was just for jamming. I think it was probably earlier than 1976, maybe 1975 or even 1974.
What was the name of your band? Old time? This may have been when we first met the Hot Mud Family, who became long time friends. We may have stayed with them, since Spring Valley wasn't too far away. I have a vivid memory of both our bands lining the walls of Dave and Suzanne's dining room, trading songs and tunes, but I don't know when that was. Its funny that at this point I don't remember much about the actual playing at shows, (unless I've heard a recording) more of things that happened around them. Maybe we were so "tuned in" that it didn't register in some way.
The "other band" might have been the Hutchison Brothers, who were friends of Hot Mud. The patriach of the family wrote the fiddle tune "Three Thin Dimes."
Brian - thanks for starting the thread. " 'Tis Sweet to be Remembered" (on a bright or gloomy day).
If this link works there are some photos of the Hutchison Brothers: michaelconen.wordpress.com/202...5th-1977/
Edited by - DougD on 06/28/2026 10:00:46
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