Music Style Bluegrass

Artist History Bluegrass music has been around for a long time, and so have the Blue River Boys. One of themin particular passed the Bluegrass legend on to us and our lives have been enriched by this heritage. Vernon Wood, our father, taught us to love and appreciate music. His music came from his heart.Born in 1924, Dad began "picking" when he could get his finders around the guitar neck (age12). At the age of 16, he played on the “Saturday-Night Roundup” in Asheville, North Carolina,and picked his way to first prize. In 1984 he attended a concert featuring Carl Story and Bill Monroe and had the unforgettable experience of singing on stage with those musical heros. Hisdream to keep Bluegrass music alive became more intense and with determination, he continued to pursue the dream. In 1985, he found himself on an incredible tour of the Holy Land, duringwhich time he was privileged to sing with the Isaacs, another Bluegrass legend. Having grown up on country music, Dad recalls his grandmother’s mellow voice echoing through the hills Twilight is Stealing. Those words, Voices of laughter, song of the past still linger round me while life shall last,” hold fond memories. Not only does our dad have musical talent, but also our mother picks a mandolin and has a beautiful singing voice. They passed their love for music and their talent down through generations. Not only did we sing as a family, we, their twin daughters, have sung together sincewe could talk. Their son, Doyle, and avid recording artist, has written hundreds of songs and operates Daxwood Studios, the producer of the Blue River Boys. Their grandsons Reed, and twins Wayne and Layne, now published artists, have written numerous songs . . . And the legacy goes on.For years, Vernon and Versell Wood have been picking and singing in the hills of North Carolina but for a time only the Smokies were alive to their music. Today hills around the world are alive with their music, and fans from Carolina to Timbuktu can enjoy the sound of Bluegrass. The music of the Blue River Boys and of country preachers like Vernon Wood made the world a better place. Through it, they spoke to our heart and they spoke life. We are proud of our country, Bluegrass dad. He loves his music. He loves his God. He loves life and he lives it every day. His music is the legend we knew as children, the legend we cherish today, the legend that we hope will live forever.So how are Earl Hammock and Elden Hooper a part of this great heritage? Elden, as a child on Cullowhee Mountain, played with our dad. There was a kindred spirit between two mountain boys, who shared their love for music, whose hearts harmonized from the first note. Elden also played with his brother Roscoe. For years they had a radio program. My dad’s family moved from Cullowhee Mountain and years later he returned to pastor the little country church. Reunited with his buddy, Vernon and Elden “picked up” right where they left toff and continued to enjoy their music. Elden then moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia and accepted a job with the Sanitation Department of Decatur. He homesteaded and retired there. Though miles apart, the friends never lost touch. Our dad accepted a pastorate in Eden, North Carolina in 1978 where he met his banjo picker. Earl Hammock fit right into the picture and the long-time due invited him to play with them. It was during this chapter of their lives that the Blue River Boys made the recording you’ll enjoy.Dad retired in Scaly Mountain. He and Elden, less than two hours apart, have opportunity to get together now and then. Years ago somewhere on a trail winding through the beautiful Smokes, two young boys met and traveled together for a while. At times, their journey took them in another direction, but they always managed to find each other again. Both were raised on meager fare but they are rich in the things that matter. They love life and live it. When asked,"What would you really like to do with wonderful talent with which you have blessed? What do you want to do with your music?" Their response was that it was their hope and prayer that it would bless someone.From their beginning in spring as young children to the summer of their youth and the fall of their adulthood, they have blessed others with their music. Now in the winter of their life, they have reached their finest hour to bless the world. May their song forever be heard! We hopeyou enjoy the Blue River Boys. If you have been touched by the message of their music, you are an answer to their prayers. Martha Wood Bass and Margaret Wood Lackey

Group Members Vernon Wood (Guitar), Earl Hammock (Banjo), Elden Hooper (Mandolin)

Instruments Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin

Albums Sacred Bluegrass

Press Reviews SCALY MOUNTAIN NEWSBLUEGRASS STARTS SHINEby Jo EnglandOur Scaly Mountain has bragging rights on one of the best performers of bluegrass music. Vernon Wood, retired pastor from the Church of God with his friends, Earl Hammock and Elden Hooper, are known as the Blue River Boys.Mr. and Mrs. Wood are very proud of the work their son, Doyle Wood, has done as a recording artist. He operates the Daxwood Studios and has a web page that gives the history of the Blue River Boys, along with a list of the Sacred Bluegrass Recordings for sale and how they may bepurchased. Go to WWW.MP3.COM/BlueRiverBoys, and you will read about the family with comments from the Woods’ daughters. They are currently 16th on the Sacred Bluegrass Music charts.

Additional Info mp3 services by www.ArtistServices.net (click the GLOBE)

Location Scaly Mountain, NC - USA

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