BlueHighways TV - True Blue Television

VOTE Top 10 for Country Countdown

2012-02-08T11:41:00.001-06:00

There’s a New Series coming to townhere at BlueHighways TV called Classic Countdown it’s hosted by Tresa Jordan from Turnin’ to Country.Each week the series will feature the Top 10 Classic Country, Bluegrass, Gospel or other roots music videos from the 80’s and 90’s as chosen by our audience. Tresa will introduce the videos and share some interesting facts and information on the artist, then and now, the song, the songwriter and where the video was filmed.

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Different Times, Different World, Same Country Boys and Girls…

2012-02-08T09:19:00.001-06:00

by Stan Hitchcock

I grew up in the 50’s in a different world than what we areliving in today. My connection to theworld outside our little valley was my radio, upstairs in the attic room thatwas mine to enjoy in the old farmhouse that my dad had built and where we lived. I would lie in my bed at night and listen tothe steam locomotives whistle as they curved through the Ozark Mountainspulling passengers and freight to the great cities of my imagination. My radio stayed tuned to the all nightstations that played real country music, interspersed with old time gospelmusic and built the musical foundation that have stayed with me my entirelife.

We worked hard on the farm, but it was good, clean workwhere you could see the positive results in the growth of the cattle herd, thehay fields growing, the garden that Mom harvested or the new colt running inthe pasture with his momma. Working inthe hay fields, on hot summer days, hay chaff, dust and sweat mixed together withsweat bees, that came off so cleanly in the creek that ran through our farm,with the help of a big bar of lye soap that would have cleaned the grease offof a tractor axle. Yes, there was afresh, spring fed creek that ran all through our 400 acres that held some smallmouth bass, lots of water snakes and other objects of a young boy’s fancy,including a great swimming hole for skinny dippin’. These items were essential to a young boygrowing up in the country.

Red Foley 1954

Telephones didn’t come out to our part of the country andtelevision hadn’t started spreading to rural areas and wouldn’t for years tocome. My Grandma Johnson still cooked ona wood stove in the old farm house across the road from our house and she wouldbake Pineapple Meringue pies that I still dream about sometimes. Grandma would buy her baby chicks, everyspring, from the radio tuned to XERF, Del Rio, Texas, but which really blastedout of the Mexican side of the border. The announcer always said, in the ad, that sex wasn’t guaranteed, afact that has stayed with me to this day, and which I still believe as a factof life. It wasn’t till years later Irealized they were talking about the baby chicks, not our love lives, whichexplained why, when they arrived in the box by mail, that over 60 percent ofthe chicks were roosters. Grandma nevergot discouraged, and continued to order her chicks every year as long as shewas able. You think about it, howpowerful the radio wave to the good folks in rural areas who didn’t have accessto big city shopping, nor the money to spend if they had.

My Uncle Bud and AuntNorma would come down to visit our Ozark farm from Kansas City and bring hisGibson electric guitar and I would stare at his fingers and try to learn thesecrets of finger placement that made those beautiful sounds. By the time I turned 12 years old I hadpicked it up and started picking myself and have never stopped. Music has been the driving force in my life,and still is.

Stan & Ferlin - 2006

When I graduated from Pleasant Hope High School, in 1954, Ileft home to join the Navy. I got totravel to those exotic locations around the world that I used to dream aboutand a few years later I got to stand on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry andsing my songs in the exact same spot on the Old Ryman stage where Roy Acuff wouldsing, “Wabash Cannonball” and “Great Speckled Bird” with me listening on theradio back in the Ozarks. In fact RoyAcuff introduced me the first time I sang on the Opry in 1961 and in lateryears he actually became my friend, just as he did to so many other youngartists. To have actually been friendswith those heroes of our music such as Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Red Foley, FaronYoung, Marty Robbins, Ernest Tubb, Bill Monroe, Stringbean, Jumpin BillCarlisle, The Louvins, The Wilburns, Carl Smith, Johnny Wright and Kitty Wells,Jimmy Dickens, Ferlin Husky, Jean Shepard, Hank Thompson and all of that generation that I grew up on,well, it was just awesome and such a blessing. Those were the people that shaped me, taught me, made me laugh, made mecry when they passed and remain today the foundation of which our musicbusiness is built on. Largely forgottenby contemporary radio, today’s record companies and the big money movers intoday’s modern music leadership, they still live strong in the hearts andmemories of the audience that allowed country music to prosper and grow. Sadly, the audience never left classiccountry music, the music industry left their audience.

Meanwhile, in the 1980’s, a new breed of singer/songwritersstarted to emerge and I was at the right place at the right time to not onlyenjoy, but to participate in the movement as I directed the course of the newvideo network, CMT. This new breed weresetting off in new directions of country music, writing songs that reflectedtheir generation, but still had respect for the classic music of the ones whohad gone before to blaze the trail. DeanDillon, Lacy J Dalton, Allen Jackson, Michael Johnson, Garth Brooks, Billy JoeShaver, Skip Ewing, Randy Travis, Paul Overstreet, Rodney Crowell, Mark Collie,Guy Clark, Michael Martin Murphey, Dan Seals, Earl Thomas Conley, Kevin Welch,Nanci Griffith, Tim McGraw, K T Oslin, Doug Stone, David Lynn Jones, BeckyHobbs, Deborah Allen and others like them along with some of the old schoolwriters who have continued to be creative even to a new generation. It was exciting times to watch this newmovement as they broke through traditional walls and created their own soundsand sights with cd’s and video’s . Oneof the great writers of our time, Bill Anderson, who started having hits withRay Price in the late 50’s, hits of his own all through the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s,then started writing with newer generation writers to create hit songs stilltoday. He is amazing. Another great writer and singer, SharonVaughn, started singing and writing in the 60’s, wrote such great songs as“Y’all Come Back Saloon” and “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboy’s”, has neverstopped her creative output and today is writing worldwide hits, far, far fromMusic Row, living in Stockholm, Sweden, working on Broadway musicals and livingher music dream following where it takes her. These people don’t try to follow trends, copycat someone else or let theEstablishment tell them what to write or sing. They are the creative soul of music and you either take them at theirmusic or get out of the way, cause they are not stopping for anyone.

I love ‘em all, the old ones, the younger ones and the onesin between that have the hunger to write and perform their original music, fromJimmy Rodgers and Hank Williams, Sr to the new kid trying out for AmericanIdol, they’ve got something to share that is unique to them alone, and theywill always have my respect and support when I can give it.

Find the talent in your home town, encourage them, embrace theirmusic and further their dreams of music. Good music deserves to be heard, shared and loved by an audiencesomewhere, sometime and someplace, for that is what feeds the minds of thecreators and keeps their passion alive.

I wish for you good health, happiness and the good Lord’sprotective hand upon your shoulder in a troubled world. God bless us everyone.

Stan

"She's Looking Good"-Stan Hitchcock 1967 Epic Records
Written by Autry Inman-Produced by Billy Sherrill
Owen Bradley's Quonset Hut session

You can go to my website: www.hitchcockcountry.com formy blog, “View From The Front Porch” and to order product, or write me at stan@bluehighwaystv.com

Follow Stan on Facebook

Getting in the Festival Mood

2012-02-07T17:42:00.000-06:00

by Denise Hitchcock

Many peruse seed catalogues this time of year; I turn the pages of my favorite music magazines eyeing festivals in distant states and warmer locations! My RV waits patiently under winter blanket for its next assigned destination.

This month (February 16 – 18) you can catch the Palatka Bluegrass Festival at a reasonable price (starting at $35.00 per day) and there are full water and electric camping hook ups on the grounds. This festival has some pretty impressive headliners: Dailey & Vincent, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Marty Raybon, Doyle Lawson, Larry Stephenson, Audie Blaylock, Bobby Osborne, Jesse McReynolds – and loads of additional top pickers. Held on the grounds of the Roadheaver Boy’s Ranch proceeds go to help this home for needy boys.

[*note] There is also a fall Bluegrass Festival at the Ranch October 11-13, 2012.

To add to your fun you can sign up for a daily Jamming Class (Warnick Method taught by Gilbert Nelson) held from10 am to Noon, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the festival. Take those lessons and then get out there and pick with the pros.

I will be the good and faithful audience – every performer needs them.

And before I leave you for this month I would highly recommend you listen to the voice of the late Paul Harvey as he paints a word picture of the Roadheaver Boy’s Ranch. It runs 9 minutes and is well worth the listen. He was a master like no other!

See you along the BlueHighways!

Denise

Sweet Gestures on Valentine’s Day Warm Hearts

2012-02-07T17:36:00.001-06:00

Whetheryou’re standing at the grocery store checkout stand, flipping through the pagesof a magazine or even driving by billboards aside the highway – the pressure tobe perfectly passionate on Valentine’s Day can be overwhelming!

We’re implored to go the route of long-stemmed roses, give abox of chocolates or find the perfect prose in a greeting card to profess ourtrue devotion. Consider that the U.S. Greeting Card Association reports that190 million valentines are sent each year and we consume about a billiondollars worth of chocolate. Have we depreciated Valentine’s Day?

It is said that we hold love in our hearts rather than ourhands, and we see it only when we give it to another. For that reason, simplegestures on Valentine’s Day can be the best way to show much we care. For years, I’ve looked to Valentine’s Day tomake those close to me feel special, loved and appreciated. In fact, years agowhen I was single I began a tradition of baking Almond Raspberry Valentine Cookiesfor my fellow single friends. Later, I began to make those same cookies for myMom as she was always a cookie lover. And, now, I make them for the love of mylife, my husband Robert. I’ve always enjoyed playing a sort of cookie cupid towarm hearts. Whether it’s the rich buttery taste or the sweet raspberry jamheart that fills the center, it’s the perfect sweet treat for this special day.

Of course, if you want to go beyond a cookie treat and needmore cooking inspiration, look to my cookbook “A Well-Seasoned Kitchen.” Youcan also find a variety of menus, recipes and ideas for a delicious Valentine’sDay on my website at www.seasonedkitchen.com.

Almond Raspberry ValentineCookies

(Makes about 4 dozen)

I created these cookies several years ago asgifts to provide single friends on Valentine’s Day (I was also single at thetime). For the last few years I made them for Mom on Valentine’s Day, as shewas a cookie lover. I have also made them at Christmas, cutting the cookieshape into small gingerbread men, but still cutting the interior shape as aheart.

1 package (14 ounce) blanched slivered (or whole) almonds

3 1/3 cups cake flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Good quality raspberry jam or preserves

Powdered sugar

Finely grind the almonds in a food processor; set aside.Sift together flour, baking powder and cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl; setaside.

Cream butter with an electric mixer until soft; graduallyadd sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, thenvanilla, beating until well mixed. Stir in ground almonds, then the flourmixture. Mix well. Divide dough into fourths, shaping into round, flat patties.Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm-overnight is best. (But, if youare like me and not that organized, an hour may be enough; the longer it chillsthe easier the dough is to work with.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 2 to 4 cookiesheets (depending on how many you have on hand).

Take one portion of the dough out of the refrigerator androll between 2 pieces of waxed paper to 1/4- to 1/8-inch thickness. The thinnerthe better, but the dough becomes tricky to maneuver when it is really thin.(If you roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness, you will end up with about 2 1/2dozen cookies instead of 4 dozen.) Cut with a 2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutterand place half on one of the prepared cookie sheets. Cut out centers ofremaining cookies with a small (1/4- to 1/2-inch) heart or circle shaped cookiecutter; place cookies on prepared cookie sheet. Re-roll leftover dough andcontinue cutting out cookies until all the dough is used. Bake cookies for 10to 12 minutes or until lightly brown. Remove to wire rack to cool. Repeat stepswith remaining portions of dough that have been in the refrigerator.

Using a small spoon spread a small amount of raspberry jam(1/2 to 1 teaspoon) on the bottom side of each solid baked cookie. Top with cutout cookie, bottom side down, and press slightly to adhere. Sift powdered sugarover the top.

Store in airtight containers.

Making a quick job ofrolling dough

As any baker knows, rolling dough can quickly become asticky situation. Cookie dough can be especially difficult to work with becauserecipes often call for the dough to be rolled thin – which makes pick up andtransfer of cut-out cookies tricky.

Next time you’re rolling cookie dough, try this tip: Rollthe dough out between two sheets of waxed paper to your preferred thickness,cut out all your cookies and try picking up one. If it doesn’t come out easily,replace the top sheet of waxed paper with a clean piece, carefully turn thewhole thing over, and peel off the waxed paper that’s now on the top. It shouldbe easier to pick up cut-out cookies with your fingers or a thin spatula toplace on the cookie sheet.

by Lee Clayton Roper
co-author of “A Well-Seasoned Kitchen”

BlueHighways TV and Rural Rhythm Records Form Partnership to Help Promote Roots Music

2011-07-12T12:49:00.000-05:00

Hendersonville, TN - BlueHighways TV (BHTV) and Rural Rhythm Records announced today that they have formed a promotional partnership to bring the label's artists to BHTV viewers through HD television specials, guest appearances and music video segments. As part of the new partnership, Rural Rhythm artists will also take to the festival stages to educate fans about BlueHighways TV.

"It is satisfying when two companies in a companion industry can see the benefit of mutual promotion to reach a common goal," said Stan Hitchcock, Chairman and CEO of BlueHighways TV. "BHTV and Rural Rhythm are both linked to roots music fans throughout the nation, and with this new partnership, we can continue to spread the word about BlueHighways TV's roots music programming, including the new features with Rural Rhythm artists."

"For us, it is all about the music," says Sam Passamano, President of Rural Rhythm Records. "Television is one of the ways people are discovering and enjoying new music, and this partnership with BlueHighways TV strengthens another marketing path to our fans and customers. We are extremely excited for some interesting collaborations over the next year."

Rural Rhythm dedicates itself to preserving the works of legendary bluegrass and old-time country music, and at the same time is committed to bringing fans closer to today's acoustic music for the new generation of edgy but true-to-its roots artists: Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Lonesome River Band, Michael Martin Murphey, Lou Reid & Carolina, Carrie Hassler, Grasstowne, Audie Blaylock and Redline, Blue Moon Rising, The Roys, Bobby Osborne, Rodney Dillard & The Dillard Band, and more.

BlueHighways TV's original programming features roots music, arts and culture presented as a colorful tapestry of American life and heritage. Signature roots music programs include: Reno's Old Time Music Festival, Stan Hitchcock's Heart to Heart, Woodsongs, Old Country Church, along with selected episodes of America's Back Roads and the Sampler Series.

About Rural Rhythm
Uncle Jim O'Neal started Rural Rhythm Records in 1955 and now over 56 years later, the label continues its dedication to preserving the works of bluegrass and old-time country music legends from the 50's, 60's & early 70's in their Sound Tradition collection. In 2005, Rural Rhythm launched their New Tradition series that includes some of the top artists in bluegrass music today. These albums and songs have topped the Billboard and radio charts and garnered numerous Grammy, Dove and IBMA nominations as well. In the last several years, they launched two new arms of the label, Rural Rhythm Christian with projects by Larry Sparks, Mike Scott, Lou Reid and Carolina, and many more; plus Rural Rhythm Country with a new album by Nashville's highly respected entertainer and songwriter, Mason Douglas.

About BlueHighways TV ^TMBlueHighways TV is an independent satellite, cable and broadband delivered television network that grew out of the great interest that audiences have in exploring the folklore, music, traditions, destinations and artistry of America. Conceived and created by Network Creative Group, LLC, BlueHighways TV captures that welcoming, down-home spirit that Americans are known for, delivered with a fresh and sincere voice. BHTV is available as a high definition network, via VOD, and viewed online in over 190 countries. For more information, visit BlueHighways TV's website at www.bluehighwaystv.com

BlueHighways TV Rolls With HD Launch

2011-06-09T14:53:00.000-05:00

Americana Service Negotiating With Distributors For Carriage

Alexandria Tribble -- Multichannel News, 6/1/2011 10:06:53 PM

BlueHighways TV has made the transition to the high-definition format.
BlueHighways TV HD will be carried on AMC 18 Transponder 11 C and uplinked through Encompass Digital Media in Atlanta.
While distributors make the transition to HD satellite, BHTV will keep dual satellite locations available until September. The network, which launched with cable and telco carriers in March 2007, has yet to reach an HD pact. However, BHTV is currently in discussions with its carriage partners for HD carriage.
Distributors currently carrying BHTV will have the option of down-converting to the standard-definition format or delivering the service in HD, according to a network spokeswoman.
"We are thrilled to distribute both SD and HD feeds of BHTV's colorful programming from a single high-quality HD signal," said Stan Hitchcock, BHTV chairman and CEO, in announcing the HD bow. "Our carriage partners and viewers have been requesting BHTV in HD, and this enhanced format will really enrich the roots music, travel, arts and Americana programming that our viewers have come to love."
BHTV is known for their exploration of the people, stories, traditions and music of America. Some that viewers will be able to view in the enhanced format include American Journeys, Heart to Heart and Woodsongs.

New Episodes:

2011-04-25T14:04:00.001-05:00

Reno’s Old Time Music Festival
I’m proud to announce that we have a season of brand new episodes of Reno’s Old Time Music Festival starting at the end of April here on BlueHighways TV. These new episodes are shot in High Definition and look and sound incredible. As always we have brought together some of the greatest bands in Bluegrass including Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Sam Bush, The Travelin’ McCoury's, Grasstowne, IIIrd Time Out, Dale Ann Bradley, BlueHighway, Lou Reid and Carolina, Michael Cleveland and Flame Keeper, The Grascals, The Isaacs and many more.

Of course, my band, The Reno Tradition, starts each episode performing in the Reno style and playing some new songs; and we still have great interviews and the Superpickers segment, which has always been an audience favorite. The new episodes start Tuesday, April 26 at 7:30pm ET and will play each Tuesday night for the rest of the year.

We hope you will continue to enjoy this “American Made Music” performed in its purest art form.

Ronnie Reno

New Launches for BlueHighways TV

2011-04-15T13:55:00.000-05:00

Verizon FiOS TV
Albany, New York
More Information visit Verizon FiOS

Team National TV
Davie, Florida
More Information visit Team National TV

Are we in your area? If not request us here!

2009-07-29T12:08:00.000-05:00

Reno & Smiley and Mac Wiseman DVDs

posted by John on 07.29.09 @ 8:00 am

Blue Highways TV has released two DVDs containing classic television performances by Reno & Smiley and Mac Wiseman.

Bluegrass 1963, the Reno & Smiley DVD has twenty songs from a television pilot they recorded in Roanoke, VA in 1963 at WDBJ, which led to a regular morning show that ran for several years. The show also features a guest appearance by The Stanley Brothers and a piece from WDBJ announcer Irv Sharp on piano.

The live performances include some Reno & Smiley favorites, plus a visit from Chicken Hot Rod and Pansy.

Love, O Love Please Come Home
Down Yonder
In The Pines
Home Sweet Home
Over In The Gloryland
Where Is That Chord
Barefoot Nellie
Nine Pound Hammer
John Henry
Arkansas Traveler

Wouldn’t Change You If I Could
Panhandle Country
Whispering Hope
Bill Bailey
I’m Using My Bible For A Roadmap
Talk Of The Town
Fisher’s Hornpipe
I Know You’re Married
Ballad Of Jed Clampett
Paddy On The Turnpike

Ronnie Reno narrates the video, which is available from Blue Highways TV for $19.95.

They have also released a Mac Wiseman DVD, recorded live in 1971, with 12 songs plus an interview with Chubby Wise, Lester Flatt and Carlton Haney. Lester and Chubby also perform in the video, which also contains some truly classic material.

Homestead On The Farm
Me & Bobby McGee
Prisoner’s Song
Liberty
Four Walls
I’ll Still Write Your Name In The Sand
Bluebirds Are Singing For Me
Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong
Will You Be Loving Another Man
I’ll Be All Smiles Tonight
Are You Washed In The Blood
Jimmy Brown, The News Boy

The Wiseman DVD is titled Bluegrass 1971, and is available for $16.95, or you can purchase both DVDs for $29.95.

Both belong in any serious collection of bluegrass music. They are also available from retailers who specialize in bluegrass music.

championship

2009-07-15T10:28:00.001-05:00

See who wins the Professional Roughstock Championship on Pro Roughstock Rodeo next week July 22 at 6pm and 9pm eastern

Tom T Hall "I Love..." from Heart to Heart Classics

2009-07-09T15:19:00.002-05:00

Tom T Hall, one of the most prolific songwriters in history, sits down with Stan Hitchcock on Heart to Heart and performs "I Love..."

Highway Stories

2009-07-09T12:42:00.003-05:00

On your network, you have requested any of us that have a highway story to write in to tell you about it.

Many years ago, my Aunt Ruth, Uncle Horace, Mom and Daddy and I went for a ride on a Saturday afternoon. Before we reached home, we had a flat tire and since Uncle Horace was driving, he was responsible for changing the tire. He did not have Automobile Club that many call when they need roadside service.

While we were waiting for the flat tire to be changed, we stood near a railroad track. It was not used often, and we did not see a train ride by the whole time we waited. But a strange thing happened. A female cat was crying near the tracks. Uncle Horace and Aunt Ruth were animal lovers and could not stand to see a cat or dog crying needing food. They were able to put the kitty into a pillow case and brought the cat home with them.

A few days went by and kitty had milk in her breast. Once again, Uncle Horace and Aunt Ruth would not turn their back on a starving animal. They returned to the exact location of the flat tire and in a culvert, found six starving kittens, crying their eyes out.

They brought all six home with them and took each of them to the local animal shelter. Because of their benevolence, the kitties lived and found good homes. This story happened over 50 years ago, but one thing I will never forget about Aunt Ruth and Uncle Horace is that they were truly humane folks that loved animals to their dying day. They were hospitable folks, too. We were at their home many times for dinner and their food was always the best. Straight as an arrow folks they were. They are both gone now, along with my parents. All good folks that loved Jesus and I know I will see all of them on the earth made new.

Sincerely,
Marianne Robinson

New episode

2009-07-07T14:31:00.005-05:00

New episode of Give A Living Rose premiers on July 23 at 8pm EST.

This is a special episode where Gene Stallings and Nick Saben are part of a surprise "thank you" to Dr. Martha Cook, who is the director of the RISE program at the University of Alabama. RISE is a pre-school for handicapped and non-handicapped children up to the age of 5.

Very heartwarming episode!!

2009-07-06T15:33:00.003-05:00

From neighborhood festivals and regional music events, and unique adventures and backroads finds, to agricultural and equestrian offerings, BHTV is dedicated to bringing viewers programming that reflects the ideals, optimism and hard work that helped to build this country.

BHTV programming weaves a colorful cultural tapestry of American life and heritage, giving viewers the opportunity to discover a vast treasure of American music, art, culture and entertainment.