What A Great Year For The WBT Briarhoppers!
2009 marked the resurgence of the WBT Briarhoppers:
- Alana Flowers and Trent Moody joined the band;
- Played in front of 17,500 fans at WBT's SkyShow on July 4, 2009;
- Re-partnered with WBT Radio, the Home of The Briarhoppers;
- Performed at the Tosco Music Party in Charlotte and the performance made it's way to YouTube;
- Nearly 8,000 people went to the Briarhopper website;
- At least 3 WBT Briarhopper books were sold.
2010 looks to be a greater year as we begin to branch out to regional music festivals, etc. We hope to see you during our 76th year of operation!
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!
1 comment:
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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