That Just Goes To Show You
There’s a little area in the Ozarks that one could swear there is “something in the water,” as the old saying goes. Shannon County, Missouri has produced more old time and bluegrass musicians and singers than any other place in the state. The likes of John Hartford, Don Brown, Mitch Jayne, Douglas & Rodney Dillard, James & Richard Orchard, Jack Shockley, Ken Seaman, Odie Mullins, Lou Broadfoot, Norman Clark, The Goforths, Alvin & Andy Bressler, Frank Ray, Ansil Gore, and the center of this recording, Ray Gore.
It is also a place of pilgrimage for musicians seeking knowledge from the earlier generations that have, quite literally, became the voice of this region of the country. Nature is the primary inspiration for the music we adhere to, and it’s obvious when you roll south on Highway 19 from Salem to Eminence, where the confluence of the Jack’s Fork and Current Rivers join. The trees whisper lyrics. The raging springs create the excitement and intensity. The waters are as pure as the poetry of the music. The ancient mountains surround you, like a “welcome home” hug. The inspiration is everywhere you look, whether it’s looking with your eyes or ears. As a freshly “bit” kid by the bluegrass bug, I was one of those people that made the treks down the meandering roads cut into the mountains that would lead you to a place comparable to The Garden of Eden. A place where I spent the most time with some of the most vital people to my music.
The people, stories, teachings, sayings, and songs of this place are near and so dear to my heart. I grew up in an amazing time for bluegrass music in the midwest. I was fortunate enough Scato be in the right places at the right times. I learned directly from the fountain with first generation Missouri bluegrass legends. Most of these folks were 50 plus years older than me, so they had lived the life, played the radio shows, built the busses… all the excitement and “stardom” that I craved. Whether it be The Cross Country Trail Rides, The Current River Opry, or a pie supper, I was privileged to be in the “club” with these guys. One of the “club members” is Ray Gore.
I first saw Ray with Jim Orchard & The Ozark Bluegrass Boys back about 2002. Ray was playing his big Martin D-35 with Gibson wreath pattern inlay down the neck. His runs and rhythm throttled the traditional bluegrass band, but when he stepped up to sing, Ray’s powerful, crystal clear tenor voice cut that Shure KSM44 microphone like a hot knife through butter. I was still green, but I distinctly remember thinking I was hearing some of the purest bluegrass vocals I’d ever encounter. There is Bobby Osborne, there is Paul Williams, there is Ira Louvin. There is Ray Gore.
One Tuesday, I was tuned in to Gene Roberts’ Country Function & Bluegrass Junction on St. Louis’ KDHX and I would find the epitome of Missouri bluegrass music pouring out my speakers. Gene loved the old stuff and really enjoyed exposing listeners to obscure and local music. It was the very first time I heard Don Brown & The Ozark Mountain Trio. He played mandolin with the intensity of Bill Monroe. He sang with the energy of Jimmy Martin. The harmonies were soaring. My blood pumped with excitement. I immediately started calling friends asking if they had anything by Don Brown. It seemed to be more rare than hen’s teeth. I searched high and low without the help of the internet (my dad didn’t believe in it). No luck until I went to a jam session at Elvis Stout’s in High Ridge, MO.
Elvis was the great uncle of my childhood best friend, Steven Lawson. Steven’s Grandpa, Udell Stout, would haul us all over God’s green earth when we weren’t old enough to drive, just so we could scratch the itch we had for bluegrass music. Steven, Udell & I were the first to arrive at the jam session. Us two curious boys decided we were gonna dig in Elvis’ vinyl record collection in the basement and spin a few. In that pile of records lay the pot of gold at the end of my rainbow, Don Brown & The Ozark Mountain Trio- Live at the Ethical Society. I could not drop the needle soon enough. The live album featured banter introducing the songs and band members. Don Brown ended “Walk Softly,” thanking the uproar of the audience and proceeded to introduce his guitar player of the Ozark Mountain Trio… “If you will, give him a big hand. Ray Gore.”
A few minutes later, we hear Ray come in through the sliding glass patio door upstairs. I cranked the volume so the record might get his attention. It worked. He came down the steps and said “what are you two listening to that old sh*t for?” The jam session turned into a history lesson on the musical career of Ray Gore. From his time backing up his dad , Ansil, for square dances to touring the country in a package show with The Wilburn Brothers & Loretta Lynn. The matching suits and guitars he and Carl Phillips, the other half of their country duo, had. His 11 years with Don Brown & The Ozark Mountain Trio. I knew I was a lucky kid, but I would have never guessed that I would be singing with the tenor man from that live album, for the next 2 decades.
I sang and recorded with Ray in two different acts. Blue Generation and Jim Orchard & The Ozark Bluegrass Boys. There must have been 6 albums and 2 live video tapings in those days. We dusted off some old Ozark Mountain Trio songs. The thrill of doing those classic originals with Ray is still felt today every time I sing with him. Ray made me a better singer just standing next to him. The mark he has left on my musical taste and styling is colossal. His impact on myself and the bluegrass music world is the reason he was the first recipient of the Pioneer of Missouri Bluegrass Music Award, presented to him by the Missouri Bluegrass Preservation Association in 2017.
As The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys grew and started touring the country, I implemented material that Ray and I sang into the shows and albums. I wanted to honor where I’m from and the people that raised me, musically. Every show I booked in the greater Missouri area, Ray and Judy, were there, along with Miss Lil. And every one of those shows, I made a point to sing a few with my hero. Just like old times.
Time flies when you are having fun and the next thing we knew, almost twenty years had passed since Ray and I had sang any recorded music together. 2025 was to be a landmark year, as Ray would be turning a youthful ninety years old in September. With the encouragement of family and the help of friends, Ray arrived at Sound Biscuit Studio in Sevierville, Tennessee with a pep in his step and a list of songs in his shirt pocket. We recorded 14 songs on April 13 & 14, 2025 to celebrate the 90th birthday of a legend.
This collection of songs is a snapshot in time. I listen to it and it takes me back to Missouri and some of the greatest times of my life, learning from some of the best teachers of the art form. This is a passion project, everyone that was on this record, wanted to be on it. It’s not perfect, but it is real. Being 89 years old at the time of this recording, Ray never ceases to amaze me. To sing these classics again, like we have for the past 2 decades, is something I will cherish for the rest of my life. I am honored to sing with Ray Gore and grateful for these recordings.
Thank you to The Gore Family for supporting Ray through his 90 years of iconic music. Thanks to Dave Maggard & Shane Reman at Sound Biscuit for the gracious use of the studio, their engineering, mixing, production, and mastering talents. To all the musicians and singers that took the time to make this happen for Ray, Thank you so much. These folks are Steven Lawson, Zach Hardesty, Bob Minner, Jasper Lorentzen, Jereme Brown, John Gooding, Max Silverstein, Avery Welter, & Sarah Griffin.
I hope you enjoy this project as much as I enjoyed spending time with Ray and making music with him again.
God Bless,
C.J. Lewandowski