GSMA’s compilation of old-time Smoky Mountain music, first recorded more than 60 years ago just outside the national park, has been nominated along with four other projects for the high quality of its liner notes, which were written by Ted Olson, professor of Appalachian Studies at East Tennessee State University. IBMA voters will choose the overall “Best Liner Notes” winner based on the quality and professionalism of the liner notes, their contribution to the field of writing, and their ability to foster bluegrass music’s image. 

“Carroll Best and the White Oak String Band” grew out of the recent discovery of recordings of Haywood County musicians made nearly 60 years ago. In 1956, linguist and song catcher Joseph Hall made one of many trips to the Smoky Mountains. This time he traveled to his friend Teague Williams’ house in the White Oak community of Haywood County (near the Cataloochee entrance to the park), toting a heavy reel-to-reel tape recorder. Gathered in Williams’ living room that July evening was a loose confederation of musicians, most of them relatives or close friends, calling themselves, spontaneously, the White Oak String Band.

Among them was Best, age 25, destined to become one of the most acclaimed and influential banjo players of his generation. Master contemporary banjo player Tony Trischka has called Best “one of the greatest banjoists to ever live,” yet until the release of GSMA’s album very little information had been published about Best’s early life and career, and none of Best’s early recordings had been released. The other musicians Hall recorded that evening in 1956 and during a follow-up visit a couple of weeks later included S.T. Swanger, Louise Best (Carroll’s wife), and Don Brooks. When Hall returned three years later to make additional recordings at Williams’ house, the White Oak String Band included Carroll Best, Raymond Setzer, Billy Kirkpatrick and French Kirkpatrick.

Awards are voted on by the professional membership of the IBMA, with results of the balloting slated to be revealed at the International Bluegrass Music Awards on Thursday, Oct. 1, at the World of Bluegrass event in Raleigh. 

For more information about the album, click on www.smokiesinformation.org.