The Briarhoppers: One of Charlotte's First Teen Idols

One of Charlotte's First Teen Idols

In 1936, an open audition at WBT yielded one of the first teen idols in the Metrolina area. Little Homer Drye became Homer A. Briarhopper on stage and was one of the most popular Briarhopper members ever. In 1940/1941, Homer left WBT to go to WPTF in Raleigh where he founded Homer A. Briarhoppers' Dixie Dudes. Homer remained in the Raleigh area and grew to be a famous entertainer in the Triad, befriending Elvis Presley, Eddy Arnold, among others. In 1954, Homer was named "Mr. Disc Jockey USA." He also opened several popular music clubs near Raleigh. Fiddlin' Dwight Moody worked with Homer many times on Homer's radio and TV shows. Homer refused three offers to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Homer died in 1983. Continuing the spirit, Homer's nephew, Larry Mangum, is a popular songwriter and musician based in the Jacksonville, FL, region. Homer's son, Tim, is retired from the Raleigh area police force.

No comments:

The Legendary Briarhoppers!

In 1934, a potential advertiser called WBT's Charles Crutchfield to ask if the station had a hillbilly band to help advertise its products. Telling a fib, Crutch said "Yes," which led to the birth of the Briarhoppers. The name comes from WBT announcer Bill Bivens who, during a hunting trip with Crutch, was startled by a rabbit jumping out of a thicket, and Bill yelled, "Look at that briarhopper!" At that moment, Crutch found the name for his hillbilly band.

The original band members were Johnny McAllister, Big Bill Davis, Don White, Thorpe Westerfield, Clarence Etters, and Jane Bartlett. The last original 1934 Briarhopper, Don White, died in 2003. Billie Burton Daniel, who joined the group in 1936, is happy and well in Wilmington, NC. Since that time, The Briarhoppers' fans are/were Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs (who filled in on banjo a few times), Curly Seckler, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and many other entertainment stars.

In keeping with the tradition, the band kept going through the years by adding new musicians to those who left the station or who died. Today, Alana Flowers and Tom Warlick head the band with their stage show including the old Briarhopper songs, new songs, and the original scripted commercials of Peruna, Kolor-Bak, Zymole Trokeys, and Radio Girl Perfume! Enjoy this site and learn about the Briarhoppers' storied past and the bright future that is ahead. Don't turn that dial...Hit's Briarhopper Time!

Comments from The WBT Briarhopper Family!

"I am so glad that Tom Warlick keeps the Briar Hoppers living on. He is amazing! Has found pictures and write ups, some I never even saw before, of the original cast, pictures that were in radio magazines and newspapers, pictures of us on calendars which Drug Trade Products, our sponsors, sent out to loyal listeners every year, and even more amazing pictures of the products which we advertized.

"Tom Warlick and the present day Briar Hoppers still perform, still carry on what has become a tradition in the Queen City and the old North State.

"So, the Briar Hoppers still go on. Thank you." - Billie Burton Daniel, who joined the WBT Briarhoppers in 1936 and still kicks it today!

"As grandson to Banjo player Shannon Grayson of The Briarhoppers - I'm so happy to see Tom and the Briarhopper Family keeping this wonderful music and culture alive ! The world could really use a good dose of wholesome these days - and hits Briarhopper Time!" - Greg Thomas

"So glad you have heard from Thorpe's daughter. He was one of the first Briarhoppers so it is good that we have her. It is so good to have folks from the original group. I was so young at the time but I remember going to the studio and watching them play and Daddy talked about everyone on the show. I was proud of him then and I am still proud of him and am glad they have a group too keep the Briarhoppers alive. Keep working Tom." -Shirley McLellan, Daughter of Original Briarhopper Big Bill Davis

All Known WBT Briarhoppers (with * meaning he or she is still around!)

Charles Crutchfield; Johnny McAllister; Don White; Thorpe Westerfield; Jane Bartlett; Clarence Etters; Bill Davis; Homer Drye; Billie Burton Daniel*; Charlie and Roger Davis; Hank Warren; Gibb Young; Cecil Campbell; Martin Schopp; Harry Blair; Jack Gillette; Jane Leeper; Jean Leeper; Newell Hathcock; Fred Kirby; Claude Casey; Mildred and Floyd; Dewey Price; Eleanor Bryan Fields*; Whitey Grant; Arval Hogan; Shannon Grayson; Homer Christopher; Nat Richardson; Sam Poplin; George "Baby Ray" Stewart; Dave Moody*; Jim Scancarelli*; Homer Sherrill; David Deese; Dwight Moody; Tom Warlick*; Alana Flowers*; Trent Moody*; Hannah Flowers*; Dillon Flowers*; Richard Hollis*; Ellie Flowers*; Donnie Little*; Zach Lemhouse; Joe Cline

One of a Few Recordings from the 1934-1940 Briarhoppers

Check out this site. "I Am Just As I Am" was recorded at Decca in Charlotte on February 15, 1937. "Mr. McKinley" was recorded on July 9, 1938 at Decca in Charlotte. Recording notes only mention Homer for the first song, but mentions Homer Brierhopper on vocals and guitar, Big Bill Davis on fiddle, and Johnny McAllister on guitar on the second song. Billie Briarhopper Burton Daniel said she remembered when the three of them slipped off to do some recording in Charlotte. No doubt that the two songs had the same performers. Too cool to hear two of the really original BHoppers...Davis and McAllister. They had some zing, by granny! Go to the below site. "I Am Just As I Am" will appear. Play it. Then hit "next song" to hear "Mr. McKinley." Enjoy!

http://honkingduck.com/mc/listen/homer-brierhopper/mr-mckinley

http://honkingduck.com/mc/listen/homer-brierhopper/i-am-just-what-i-am

Purchasing WBT Briarhopper Products!

Billie Burton Daniel has a book!

In 1936, Charles Crutchfield hired two children to be a part of the WBT Briarhopper's radio show: Billie Burton and Homer Drye. Billie lives in Wilmington, NC, and has a new book out! "Sweetheart of the Carolinas" was just published and Billie is having book signings throughout coastal NC. Billie is the "longest-lived Briarhopper," one of three surviving members of the 1930's edition of the Briarhoppers (the others being Martin Schopp/Tex Martin and Eleanor Bryan Fields), and was a huge help in the making of "The WBT Briarhoppers: Eight Decades of a Bluegrass Band Made For Radio." Congratulations, Billie (real name Willie)! For order information, go to www.catpavpublishing.com .

The WBT Briarhoppers on YouTube!

To watch the current set of WBT Briarhoppers, go to Goodness gracious, sakes alive! Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8HYffuX0ks

To see Shannon Grayson and the boys, go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jU4nYVYeTzE

and watch Fiddlin' Hank, Shannon Grayson, Don White, and Whitey & Hogan performing "Old Smokey Mountains." This looks like it came from a PBS show, but we don't really know. What a great gem this is!