The story of how The Bluegrass Ramble came to WOSU is part of On and On, a new radio documentary about the history of bluegrass music in Columbus. The documentary was first heard on 89.7 NPR News on March 19. You can listen to the full documentary below.
Produced by former Bluegrass Ramble host Rich Baker and WOSU’s Brent Davis, On and On tells about the rise of bluegrass music clubs on the South Side that catered to transplanted Appalachians working in steel mills and glass factories; college students who were introduced to bluegrass in the blue collar bars; and banjo player John Hickman and other extraordinary local musicians who have fans all over the world.
In its early years some Bluegrass Ramble shows signed off at sundown and were all of fifteen minutes long. Now the show airs 6 p.m. to midnight Saturdays and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays on 89.7 NPR News. And thanks to the web, it has listeners across the United States and in several foreign countries.
