WSM's Eddie Stubbs Remembers Whitey Grant

Eddie Stubbs, WSM - Nashville's Award-Winning Announcer and former picker with the Johnson Mountain Boys -
Whitey & Hogan were always so kind and supportive of the Johnson Mountain Boys back in the 1980's. Our group had first heard the music of Whitey & Hogan back in the middle and late 1970's, thanks to Gary Henderson playing their old 78's on WAMU-FM in Washington, D.C. When we heard we were going to be on a bill with Whitey & Hogan, we were just thrilled that we'd be able to see one of last surviving mandolin and guitar accompanied vocal duets from decades long past. Our paths crossed on many occasions, and it was always a treat to hear them perform. It was also great just to be able to visit with them, hear their stories, and to have their unsolicited endorsement of what we did. They were absolutely precious people.

Please accept my deepest sympathy on your personal loss, the loss to The Briarhoppers, as well as the loss to our industry.

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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!