Music in the Air
Vermont Songbag (VSB 105) 2006

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People everywhere have always made music. But because of their isolation, rural Americans tended to make music mostly with their kinfolk. It's not surprising that many of the pioneers of commercial country music were family members - Carters, Stonemans, Mainers and Monroes, among others. Then, just as rural musicians were emerging from their isolation, technology in the form of radio began to penetrate the hills, plateaus and piedmonts of the Southeast. The twain intersected, and live music aired on local stations in 15-minute segments that began with the rooster's crow and accompanied farm folks through their daily chores.

Music in the air. What a concept!

Often as not, the performers were brothers, their musical teamwork the product of habit and familiarity. "Brother duets" were a prevailing format in 1930s, '40s, and into the '50s, practiced by now-legendary twosomes on radio stations and stage shows throughout the countryside.

The Sky Blue Boys - Banjo Dan and Willy Lindner - being genetically qualified, have revived the tradition. Their name itself is a tribute to one of the greatest of those duos of the past: the Blue Sky Boys (Bill and Earl Bolick). Veterans of the Vermont-based bluegrass band, Banjo Dan and the Midnite Plowboys, Dan and Willy bring respect and a sense of adventure to the brother-duo format. Their repertoire runs from the traditional to the (quasi) modern and the original.

But always, in their minds, are those brothers (and some sisters, too) of an earlier time, who first put the music in the air, where a couple of little sky blue boys got to hear it.

Music In The Air (Sky Blue Theme)
Joel Najman of "My Place" (Vermont Public Radio) comes over to "our place" to help the Sky Blue Boys kick off the show in the old-time way.

Are You From Dixie?
A Blue Sky Boys favorite, which we sing as a tribute to them. Where it says, "It was a-way back in old '89," bear in mind that that's 1889 they're singing about.

The Storms Are On The Ocean
From the great Carter Family. Willy wrote the three last verses to tell this story of love sacrificed to war - regrettably, the human condition.

The Great Atomic Power
This Cold War song from the Louvin Brothers is a period piece. But which period: then or now?

Thy Burdens Are Greater Than Mine
A song of humility and thankfulness, and compassion for those with less.

I Never See Maggie Alone
It always amazes us how many people remember this old parlor song about a very frustrated young dude.

Satisfied Mind
A song about a rare commodity, this was a favorite of many country artists a half-century ago.

Beer Barrel Polka
We "roll out the" 5-string on this upbeat standard from the 1 930s, making it more "Banjo Dan" than Lawrence Welk.

Widow's Hill
A Civil War song, also known as "The Last Letter Home" We got it from the Amazing Rhythm Aces, though Dan contributed the final verse.

I Heard The Bluebirds Sing
We dedicate this number, sung often by The Browns, to buddy Joel Najman, who always seems to show up at our gigs on cue while we're singing it.

Summer Fantasy
By Willy. Dan calls "an instrumental with words," and Tom helps us on the ethereal chorus.

Fools Fall In Love
Penned by Leiber & Stoller! Made famous by The Drifters! Performed here by The Sky Blue Boys! Huh? A cool tune, though, with sweet fiddling by David.

Ellis Unit One
By Steve Earle, a truth teller.

Prairie Lullaby
From the Yodeling Brakeman himself, Jimmy Rodgers. Lullaby, good night, and so long for now, from your friends

The Sky Blue Boys.
"Banjo" Dan Lindner: banjo, guitar, 12-string guitar, autoharp, Dobro, vocals
Willy Lindner: mandolin, guitar, bass, harmonica, vocals

with
David Gusakov, fiddle ("Fools Fall in Love"), viola ("Prairie Lullaby")
Tom MacKenzie, vocals ("Summer Fantasy")
and special guest Joel Najman, announcer

Recorded at High Street Studio; St. Albans, Vermont; December 2005-March 2006
Howard Wooden, engineer
Mastered at Charles Eller Studios, Charlotte, Vermont

Performance photos by Earl Dotter. Rear Cover photo by Jaye Lindner
Paintings by Jo Mackenzie. Design by Tim Newcomb, Newcomb Studios

The Sky Blue Boys can be contacted for Bookings and recordings at BanjoDan.com

Next album in discography: Mystery and Memories