A Johnson City record producer who helped document the birth of bluegrass music will be honored with a tribute concert on Sunday, Nov. 16, at The Down Home in downtown Johnson City.
The concert celebrates the world premiere of “Rich-R-Tone / Folk Star Story: Appalachia on Record, 1946-1954,” a 12-CD box set from Bear Family Records that documents the legacy of James Hobart “Hobe” Stanton and his pioneering recording labels.
The first hour of the concert will be broadcast live during the “Down Home Radio Hour,” hosted by Ivy Sheppard on public radio station WEHC.
Who was Hobe Stanton?
Stanton owned and operated Rich-R-Tone and Folk Star Records, small independent recording labels that pioneered the documentation of bluegrass and other American roots music in Johnson City during the 1940s and 1950s.
The labels produced hundreds of recordings featuring a range of artists, including the Stanley Brothers, the Sauceman Brothers, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Martha Carson, Bill Carlisle and Buffalo Johnson.
These recordings captured a pivotal moment in American music history, when bluegrass was emerging as a distinct genre and Appalachian musicians were finding broader audiences.
Who produced the box set?
Dr. Ted Olson, ETSU professor in the Department of Appalachian Studies, produced the box set over the past decade with an international team: Richard Weize, founder of Bear Family Records in Germany; Matteo Ringressi, a prominent bluegrass musician and scholar based in Italy; as well as sound engineer Chris Zwarg and art director Mychael Gerstenberger, both of Germany.
Why is ETSU leading this effort?
The tribute concert reflects ETSU’s unique position as home to the nation’s largest and oldest bluegrass degree program – and the only such program to hold accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music.
For over 40 years, ETSU’s Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music program has helped shape the sound of the region while challenging the world’s understanding of Appalachia. It’s part of what makes ETSU the flagship institution of Appalachia.
What has the ETSU program accomplished?
Since 2013, students, faculty and alumni from ETSU’s Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music program have earned more than 360 music awards nominations, winning more than 170 – including six Grammys and 54 International Bluegrass Music Association awards.
Notable alumni include Grammy-nominated Amythyst Kiah, who is redefining Appalachian music through her exploration of race, identity and personal experience; Tray Wellington, who captured the prestigious Steve Martin Banjo Prize in 2024; Trey Hensley, who won the 2024 Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album; and Country Music Hall of Fame member Kenny Chesney.
Who is performing at the concert?
The concert features performances by students from ETSU’s Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music program, alongside area artists including Ed Snodderly and Eugene Wolf (The Brother Boys), Tim White, Jerry Keys and Ivy Sheppard.
Performers will highlight selections from the Bear Family box set, bringing these historic recordings back to life in the city where they were originally created.
Event details
When: Sunday, November 16, 3 p.m. (doors open at 2 p.m.)
Where: The Down Home, 300 West Main Street, Johnson City
Broadcast: First hour live on WEHC’s “Down Home Radio Hour”
What else is happening to honor Stanton?
On the afternoon of Friday, Nov. 14, at 1:30 p.m., the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Visit Johnson City will dedicate a new Tennessee Music Pathways marker honoring Stanton. The ceremony will take place at the Johnson City Farmers Market Pavilion, 105 W. Main St., and will feature speakers including Dr. Ted Olson, members of Bear Family Records, and city officials.
The ETSU Bluegrass Band will perform at the unveiling.
