There Are New WBT Briarhopper Members!

The WBT Briarhoppers' Dwight Moody and Tom Warlick are pleased to announce that Richard Hollis, Hannah Flowers, and Dillon Flowers have accepted positions with the longest-lived bluegrass band in history.

Richard Hollis is a well-known and very respected dobroist with stints in many bands, including the Jones Brothers. Hannah and Dillon Flowers are members of the Flowers Family Band, and are siblings to current Briarhopper, Alana Flowers. Hannah is an award-winning fiddler and sings lead. Dillon is an award-winning musician and plays guitar and mandolin. All three new members have been on stage with the WBT Briarhoppers in prior engagements, and all three have mezmerized audiences throughout the Carolinas.

Dwight Moody commented, "Tom and I are very pleased to have Richard, Hannah, and Dillon on board. These great musicians will help us continue the Briarhopper legacy for another 77 years."
Richard, Hannah, and Dillon join current WBT Briarhoppers Dwight Moody, Trent Moody, Dave Moody, and Tom Warlick.

Please continue to check our website and 1100 AM/99.3 FM WBT as we will soon be announcing a major initiative within the two Carolinas that will involve the WBT Briarhoppers, Grand Ole Opry Star George Hamilton IV, and many other bluegrass and country music stars.

 Left to right:  Dwight Moody; Richard Hollis; Dave Moody; Alana Flowers; Dillon Flowers; Tom Warlick
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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!