OHR Presents: Grandpa Jones & Family

This week, radio & television legend and Country Music Hall of Fame member Grandpa Jones with his wife, Grand Old Opry star Ramona and family recorded live at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Also, interviews and a live performance from the Jones Family. Aubrey Atwater presents “The Mother of Folk Music” Jean Ritchie, and Mark Jones offers an archival recording of Ozark original, Jim Bullard. Grandpa Jones was a performer during the golden age of radio, and later found success as a cast member on the syndicated television program, “Hee Haw.” After years of living near Nashville, TN, Grandpa moved to Mountain View, Arkansas in the early 1980’s. Along with his wife Ramona, they ran the Grandpa Jones Dinner Theater. The theater employed many musicians, many of whom are still around the Ozarks today including their son Mark and guitarist Danny Dozier. We’ll dig deep into the archives this week for a set of music, featuring some of Grandpa’s finest performances at Ozark Folk Center State Park. “The Jones Family Band” features a cast of all-star musicians, including Alisa and Mark Jones. This performance from the Jones Family Band was the last one recorded at the Ozark Folk Center State Park before Ramona passed in late 2015. Renowned folk musician Aubrey Atwater profiles influential folk music icons Jean Ritchie and the Ritchie Family, as well as explores the traditional Appalachian music and dance that the Ritchie Family helped to perpetuate into the modern American folk lexicon. This episode focuses on Jean Ritchie as a songwriter, and features Jean’s performance of her original song “Black Water.” Mark Jones' “From the Vault” segment features a rare recording of Ozark original Jim Bullard, performing the traditional song “Glory Land,” from the Ozark Folk Center State Park archives.

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OHR Presents: Grandpa Jones & Family is an episode from Ozark Highlands Radio by Ozark Highlands Radio.

This episode is 00:59:03 long.

This episode was published on Nov 18, 2025.

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