Foolin' Around with Lightnin' Wells

Silas Albright
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Music History

Lightnin' Wells shares his extensive music knowledge, uncovering rare music with host Silas Albright.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    The Foolin’ Around Podcast with Lightnin’ Wells, Episode 7: Jimmie Rodgers

    Lightnin’ Wells and co-host Silas Albright celebrate The Father of Country Music, Jimmie Rodgers, with 14 Rodgers tracks performed by Wells throughout the years across numerous instruments and with plenty of yodeling. Rodgers, born Sept 8, 1987 in Meridian, Mississippi, grew up working on railroads with his father, starting as a waterboy and working his way up to become a brakeman. Rodgers later lived and played in Asheville, North Carolina, eventually recorded in Bristol, Tennessee and went on to become a country music superstar with hits like million-seller Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas), Waitin’ For a Train, In the Jailhouse Now and Muleskinner Blues, influencing later stars from Gene Autry and Ernest Tubb to Bill Monroe and Bob Dylan.  (0:59) Lightnin' introduces Jimmie Rodgers (8:28) The Brakeman’s Blues (13:13) Everybody Does it in Hawaii (17:02) My Rough and Rowdy Ways (21:02) I’m Lonely and Blue (25:09) In My Dear Old Southern Home (28:20) Mother (The Queen of My Heart) (32:20) Tuck Away My Lonesome Blues (36:10) He’s in the Jailhouse Now (40:19) Why Should I Be Lonely (44:31) Hurry Home Sweet Mama (48:00) Roll Along Kentucky Moon (52:18) Never No Mo’ Blues (55:56) Travelin’ Blues (59:58) Waiting For a Train Video: Jimmie Rodgers stars in short film The Singing Brakeman (1929) featuring performances of Waiting for a Train, Daddy and Home and Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas)

    1h 2m

  2. May 10

    Episode 6: Uncle Dave Macon

    In this episode, Lightnin’ Wells and co-host Silas Albright highlight old-time banjo legend Uncle Dave Macon. Macon, born in 1870, went on from driving a covered wagon hauled by mules in rural Tennessee to become the first star of the Grand Ole Opry. Lightnin' shares 12 of his own takes on Uncle Dave songs over the years. (0:56) Lightnin' introduces Uncle Dave (12:16) Cumberland Mountain Deer Chase (16:05) (She Was Always) Chewing Gum (19:01) Railroadin’ and Gamblin’ (23:10) Over the Mountain (26:35) Going Across the Sea (30:26) Give Me Back My Five Dollars (34:00) Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy (37:50) Heavenly Sunlight (41:29) C-H-I-C-K-E-N Spells Chicken (45:24) Go Along Mule (49:38) Walk Tom Wilson (53:49) You’ve Been a Friend to Me Video: Barefooted Lightnin’ plays Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy Video: Uncle Dave does banjo tricks and performs Take Me Back to My Carolina Home Uncle Dave Macon photo gallery

    57 min

  3. Feb 6

    Valentine’s Day Edition

    Lightnin’ Wells plays and talks about a fresh set of nine newly-recorded old-fashioned love songs with co-host Silas Albright to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Spread the love! Lightnin’ Wells Documentary Premiere Tickets (March 27 in Farmville, NC) 1. (2:26) I’ll Be Coming Home Every Saturday Night [originally by Turner Fodrell] 2. (6:42) Someone is Waiting For You [originally by Bradley Kincaid] 3. (10:01) I’ll Buy the Ring (and Change Your Name to Mine) [recorded by Ukelele Ike and Ukulele Bailey] 4. (13:55) Shady Grove [Traditional] 5. (18:38) Eliza [written by Gus Kahn] [sheet music cover art from 1924] 6. (23:11) My Dixie Darling [recorded by The Carter Family in 1936] 7. (27:26) Wait’ll You See My Gal [recorded by Arthur Fields and May Singhi-Breen in 1924] [sheet music cover art from 1926] 8. (31:00) One Way Gal [originally by WIlliam Moore] [video of Lightnin’ playing in 2017] 9. (35:02) I Love You the Best of All [recorded by Lester McFarland and Robert A. Gardner in 1929] [recorded by The Louvin Brothers] Happy Valentine’s day from Lightnin’ Wells!

    38 min
  4. Young Lightnin' Part 2

    Jan 16

    Young Lightnin' Part 2

    Lightnin’ Wells debuts eight of the first tracks he ever recorded, using a two-track reel-to-reel recorder in his bedroom in 1969-70, and discusses them with co-host Silas Albright.  Check out Young Lightnin' Part One for a deep dive into Lightnin's upbringing and early musical interests and influences. Young Lightnin’ photo gallery (0:00) Variations on Three Blind Mice (clip) (0:48) Intro (5:37) Summertime (8:50) I Shall Not Be Moved (12:52) Under The Double Eagle (16:15) Fishin’ Blues (20:52) Dust My Broom (24:37) Beaumont Rag (28:05) Instrumental (Based on Maui Chimes) (31:15) Variations on Three Blind Mice (full) (35:12) Outro

    37 min
  5. Young Lightnin' Part 1

    Jan 16

    Young Lightnin' Part 1

    Lightnin’ Wells details his childhood and early musical influences and interests with co-host Silas Albright. Lightnin’s sister, Cindy, stops by for an insightful conversation.  Plus enjoy a taste of a couple early Lightnin' recordings: Fishin' Blues (0:00) and (52:44) and This Land is Your Land (15:04). Check out Young Lightnin' Part Two to hear eight of the first tracks he ever recorded available exclusively on the Foolin' Around Podcast. Young Lightnin’ photo gallery (0:00) Fishin’ Blues clip (0:53) Intro (3:13) Lightnin’ on Lightnin’ (15:04) Lightnin’ plays This Land is Your Land clip at Boy Scouts rally (33:01) Conversation with Lightnin’s sister, Cindy (51:49) Outro (52:35) Fishin’ Blues kazoo break

    53 min
  6. Frank Greathouse's Journey from Bluegrass to Blues

    03/26/2025

    Frank Greathouse's Journey from Bluegrass to Blues

    Frank Greathouse joins old friend Lightnin' Wells and host Silas Albright to discuss his journey. Frank co-founded the New Deal String Band, an influential long-haired bluegrass band out of North Carolina in the late 1960s who paved the way for the Newgrass style. After Frank dropped off a record at Fillmore East when he was passing through for Woodstock, the New Deal String Band landed a gig at the iconic NYC venue in December of 1969, which led to a great review in Billboard Magazine and a major record deal with Sire. The band released an album, traveled nationally and became a regular act at Carlton Haney's legendary bluegrass festivals. At one of those festivals in Camp Springs, NC, Bill Monroe joined New Deal on stage for a performance. Frank and the Father of Bluegrass played mandolin together on Dusty Miller. Later, Frank befriended bluesman George Herbert Moore and traveled around playing gigs with different groups and as a solo performer. He ran a waterfront music venue in Wilmington, NC, and successful music shops in Florida. Songs included in episode: 0:00: One More Night - New Deal String Band 19:44: Dusty Miller - New Deal String Band 45:42: O Lordy Mama - George Herbert Moore 1:00:31: Black Girl - Frank Greathouse featuring Leroy Savage 1:08:03: What Did I Do? - Frank Greathouse Links: -Video of New Deal String Band playing Love Potion No. 9 at Camp Springs in 1971 -The contract between the Fillmore East and the New Deal String Band for their concert Dec. 2, 1969 in a Facebook post -Audio of New Deal playing One More Night, Memories of Mother & Dad, Prisoner's Songs -Audio (49 minutes worth) of New Deal playing Camp Springs in 1971 -Burgaw Blues video of George Herbert Moore, with Frank introducing him and Lightnin' playing harmonica with him -Frank plays an original tune, Sack Full O'Possum, at the Florida Seafood Festival

    1h 9m

  7. 03/26/2025

    Foolin' Around with Lightnin' Wells and his Ukuleles

    Lightnin' Wells has showcased his deep repertoire of historic music for decades. In our pilot episode, we're focused on his ukuleles. Lightnin' shares some narrative and history on the instrument and dives deeper into several of the tracks from his latest release, an all ukulele compilation called Foolin' Around. Stick around after the conversation for a taste of the album-- Lightnin' plays the title song Foolin' Around live in our makeshift studio on his back porch. Links: -Buy Lightnin's ukulele album -Photo gallery of complementary images from Lightnin's collection 3:27: Profile on Lightnin's friend, Del Rey. She mentions Lightnin' and describes Sandy Hines' influence. Hines is also quoted. 5:52: Profile on May Singhi Breen, 'The Ukulele Lady' 16:54: YouTube video of Lightnin' playing Cryin' for the Carolines at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, WV 17:54: Animated music video from 1930 of Cryin' for the Carolines played by organist Milton Charles 20:45: Never Swat a Fly performance by Frank Albertson and Marjorie White Just Imagine (1930) 21:13: Video of Lightnin' playing Somewhere Over the Rainbow in Port Townsend, WA 21:43: Music video of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel 'IZ' Kamakawiwoʻole Cover photo by Rylan Puckett

    31 min
  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Lightnin' Wells shares his extensive music knowledge, uncovering rare music with host Silas Albright.

Information