Remembering David Deese

From one of the best writers on the planet...most certainly one of the best writers the Charlotte Observer ever had, or ever will have, Dot Jackson:

Thank you, Tom. You are so right -- he was still just a kid, by my lights. Hope he enjoyed every minute. I am with the hymn-writer -- "A thousand ages in His sight are like a morning gone...." Hoarding our few blinks on this earth by denying ourselves what we truly enjoy is kind of, well -- not great use of our teentsy little time. Going "early" can be such a blessing, when the carcass is long worn out, and we become a misery to ourselves and others. Come, come, Angel Band --


May all be beautiful with you. In the midst of all manner of human horror, the old quinces and the jonquils rise above it --


Love, Dot
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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!