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The Official Site of The New Coon Creek Girls New Coon Creek Girls Exquisite harmonies and solid, driving instrumentation flavored with tradition, mark the sound of The New Coon Creek Girls. Formed by the late John Lair in 1979, the group is now led by Vicki Simmons of Berea, Ky. Vicki sings baritone and plays bass and the delightful clawhammer style banjo, which she learned from the legendary Lily Mae Ledford (one of the original Coon Creek Girls). Kentucky State Champion (1991 & 1993) banjo picker Ramona Church Taylor, from Wilkesboro, NC, adds her crystal clear tenor harmony to the trio while playing the fire out of her 5-string Gibson banjo. Dale Ann Bradley's unforgettable vocal styling has graced the shows of Renfro Valley for many years. Her natural charm and angelic lead vocals have won the hearts of fans around the world. Dale Ann plays guitar and is originally from Pineville, KY. The New Coon Creek Girls record for Pinecastle Records and released their eighth album in May, 1996. This project is a collection of gospel songs and was produced by Sonny Osborne of the legendary Osborne Brothers. Vicki Simmons has been a member of The New Coon Creek Girls since the band's formation in 1979. Vicki was born in San Bernadino, California, but grew up in Berea, Kentucky. She began playing piano at the age of six and switched to guitar after becoming legally blind at age twelve. She counts her chief musical influences as Flatt and Scruggs, Glen Campbell and her Uncle Jay Begley (who played banjo). Vicki now plays bass for the group, writes songs, and sings baritone in the trio with Dale Ann and Ramona as well as assuming leadership responsibilities for the band. During many of The New Coon Creek Girls performances Vicki is featured on the delightful clawhammer style banjo, taught her by the legendary Lily Mae Ledford (one of the original Coon Creek Girls). Ramona Church Taylor of Wilkesboro, North Carolina, began playing the five-string banjo at the age of eight. She was influenced by her father and recordings by Earl Scruggs. Ramona won many regional banjo contests and was a member of the Stone Mountain Travelers. Later her family moved to Maggie Valley, North Carolina, and she became a regular member at Raymond Fairchild's Maggie Valley Opry House. In July of 1991 Ramona joined The New Coon Creek Girls at the age of seventeen bringing her "take charge" driving style of banjo playing to the group. She was the winner of the 1991 and 1993 KY State Banjo Championships and the 1993 Governors Cup Award. Ramona is featured on several heart felt lead vocals, but it is her crystal clear tenor that has become an intricate part of the group's sound. Dale Ann Bradley's unmistakable vocal styling has graced the stage of The Renfro Valley Barn Dance, The Mountain Gospel Jubilee and The Sunday Morning Gathering since 1989. Her emotion filled, powerful singing voice is featured on the majority of The New Coon Creek Girls' lead vocals. She also supports the group by playing both lead and rhythm guitar as well as writing many songs for the band. Reared in the mountainous coal region of Pineville, Kentucky, she counts her chief influences as Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs and the acappella singing she grew up hearing in the Primitive Baptist churches of southeastern Kentucky. Dale Ann began performing at the age of 14 with a home town group called Back Porch Grass and recorded two solo albums in her early years at Renfro Valley before joining The New Coon Creek Girls in December of 1991. This season we welcome the addition of Kati Penn on fiddle. Kati is from Frankfort, KY, and has been a member of The Young Acoustic All Stars for three years. She was the 1995 Indiana state fiddle champion and recently recorded her first album entitled "Sounds of the Winter." Some prestigious accomplishments for a young lady of fourteen. Her fiddling has already received wonderful reviews from many prominent bluegrass artists. The New Coon Creek Girls History In the early 1930's, a group of four energetic young women from Ohio and Kentucky emerged on the American music scene as the first female stringband. The Coon Creek Girls, playing fiddle, mandolin, bass and banjo, were extraordinary not only in their musical talent, but in the fact that they had broken the gender barrier that had kept women from playing traditional music professionally. Today, in the 1990's, it is hard for us to realize the significance of this feat. But back in the early days of radio and country music, these four women -- Lily Mae Ledford, Rosie Ledford, Violet Koehler, and Daisy Lange -- made their mark as true pioneers. Continuing in their namesakes' path, the New Coon Creek Girls are creating exceptional music and continuing to break the gender barriers that exist to this day in bluegrass music. As one of the few all female bluegrass bands touring today, the New Coon Creek Girls band is a four-woman entertainment extravaganza, delighting audiences across the country. Both groups of Coon Creek Girls were brought together by the patriarch of the Renfro Valley Barn Dance -- John Lair. Lair first managed the original Coon Creek Girls (1937-1957) and subsequently formed the New Coon Creek Girls in 1979. Although separated by two generations, both groups were featured, in their own time, on Lair's popular radio program and concert arena -- the Renfro Valley Barn Dance of Kentucky. They left the Barn Dance in 1983 but returned in 1991 and appear on the weekly shows as their touring schedule permits. The New Coon Creek Girls are proud to bear the famous name and carry on the unique legacy of the original band, while adding their own contemporary flair. Vicki Simmons has been a member of The New Coon Creek Girls since the band's formation in 1979. Vicki was born in San Bernadino, California, but grew up in Berea, Kentucky. She began playing piano at the age of six and switched to guitar after becoming legally blind at age twelve. She counts her chief musical influences as Flatt and Scruggs, Glen Campbell and her Uncle Jay Begley (who played banjo). Vicki now plays bass for the group, writes songs, and sings baritone in the trio with Dale Ann and Ramona as well as assuming leadership responsibilities for the band. During many of The New Coon Creek Girls performances Vicki is featured on the delightful clawhammer style banjo, taught her by the legendary Lily Mae Ledford (one of the original Coon Creek Girls). Ramona Church Taylor of Wilkesboro, North Carolina, began playing the five-string banjo at the age of eight. She was influenced by her father and recordings by Earl Scruggs. Ramona won many regional banjo contests and was a member of the Stone Mountain Travelers. Later her family moved to Maggie Valley, North Carolina, and she became a regular member at Raymond Fairchild's Maggie Valley Opry House. In July of 1991 Ramona joined The New Coon Creek Girls at the age of seventeen bringing her "take charge" driving style of banjo playing to the group. She was the winner of the 1991 and 1993 KY State Banjo Championships and the 1993 Governors Cup Award. Ramona is featured on several heart felt lead vocals, but it is her crystal clear tenor that has become an intricate part of the group's sound. Dale Ann Bradley's unmistakable vocal styling has graced the stage of The Renfro Valley Barn Dance, The Mountain Gospel Jubilee and The Sunday Morning Gathering since 1989. Her emotion filled, powerful singing voice is featured on the majority of The New Coon Creek Girls' lead vocals. She also supports the group by playing both lead and rhythm guitar as well as writing many songs for the band. Reared in the mountainous coal region of Pineville, Kentucky, she counts her chief influences as Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Ricky Skaggs and the acappella singing she grew up hearing in the Primitive Baptist churches of southeastern Kentucky. Dale Ann began performing at the age of 14 with a home town group called Back Porch Grass and recorded two solo albums in her early years at Renfro Valley before joining The New Coon Creek Girls in December of 1991. May 1997 Newsletter Greetings friends and fans of The New Coon Creek Girls! This year finds us looking forward to attending some new festivals but especially returning to some old favorites. We will perform at Graves' Mountain, VA, for our second year at the end of May. What a beautiful location for bluegrass music!! Also we will be returning to The Festival of the Bluegrass at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington and the Brown County City Park in Bean Blossom, IN. It has been many years since we have been a part of these two very established events and we are glad to be back. Coons" hope to see many of you again at The Ole Joe Clark Bluegrass Festival in Renfro Valley, KY, or any of the other festivals we will be attending throughout the summer (see enclosed schedule). For those of you who are Carl Hurly fans, please note we will again be a part of his very popular performances at Renfro Valley November 5 - 8 as well as a performance with Mr. Hurley in August at Heritage Hall in Lexington, KY. Most Friday and Saturday nights that The Coons" are not on the road, you will be able to find us at our home base in Renfro Valley, KY as regulars of The Renfro Valley Barn Dance now in its 57th year of country music entertainment. For The Coons" current schedule at Renfro as well as information on all other shows this year in The Valley you may call 1-800-765-7464. Dale Ann's first solo album on Pinecastle Records, "East Kentucky Morning" (PRC 1064), was released in mid April. We are all excited about the response she has received so far! This collection of acoustic folk/country songs, six of them originals penned by Dale Ann and Vicki, features Dale Ann's rich, emotive lead singing and song writing. The project was produced by Sonny Osborne and features guest vocals by Russell Moore, Bobby and Sonny Osborne, and Vicki. Musicians include: Ron Block (banjo), Randy Howard (fiddle), Terry Eldredge (rhythm guitar), Terry Smith (bass), Gene Wooten (dobro), Mickey Harris (mandolin), and Robert Bowlin (flat top lead guitar).'East Kentucky Morning" is both different and delightful - but we would expect nothing but "the best" from Dale Ann! You will notice that we have included PRC 1064 on our order form so you will be able to purchase "East Kentucky Morning' from The Coons. This season we welcome the addition of Kati Penn on fiddle. Kati is from Frankfort, KY, and has been a member of The Young Acoustic All Stars for three years. She was the 1995 Indiana state fiddle champion and recently recorded her first album entitled "Sounds of the Winter." Some prestigious accomplishments for a young lady of fourteen. Her fiddling has already received wonderful reviews from many prominent bluegrass artists. Ramona hasn't been picking much over the winter, but you might say she has been thinking about music. We just found out she is expecting her second child. While Emily is just barely two years old, rumor has it that Ramona is trying to create The New Coon Creek Girls: The Next Generation! The New Coon Creek Girls have recently been in the studio putting the finishing touches on our fourth recording project for Pinecastle Records. Our favorite producer, Sonny Osborne, is once again bringing his creative direction to this album as he has done for our previous releases on Pinecastle. The selection of material is varied. There are six original songs written by Dale Ann, Vicki and Ramona as well as a song that has been around for centuries. We are referring to "Danny Boy," which has been described by many musical historians as the perfect melody. Also, after years of requests from many folks, we will include "The Mule Skinner Blues." Look for this release in the late summer or early fall of 1997. With our growing mailing list, we are experiencing "PPPS" (Painful Postage Price Syndrome). We hope to be able to continue sending our newsletter for no charge so we are asking for PPPS donations to help defer our postage and printing cost. Just mail any donations to: The New Coon Creek Girls PPPS Relief Fund, 312 Angel Rd, Berea, KY, 40403. Well, that is all the news for now. We look forward to seeing you somewhere down the road very soon! Until then- God Bless! Dale Ann, Vicki, Ramona and Kati Discography Everything You Do Ain't Love A Good Thing The L & N Don't Stop Here Anymore So I'll Ride Playing Our Respects Pictures Home Sweet Highway Everything You Do Pinecastle PRC1055 Everything You Do (Touches Someone Else) The Hammer Lord, You're The Best Thing 396k .wav That Same Spirit Who Do You Think Palms Of Victory 295k .wav Little Black Train is Coming 205k .wav The Lowest Valley Walk A Mile My Lord Will Send A Moses The Master's Hand How Great Thou Art Ain't Love A Good Thing Pinecastle Records- PRC-1040 When you listen to this set of songs you're going to hear some of the best bluegrass music you've heard for a while. Working on the road as much as we do, one doesn't get the opportunity to listen to other groups as much as we would like. We're too busy making sure Smith, Eldredge, Crow or Wooten stays out of trouble long enough to do our show on time and get on to the next date. I was very impressed with the amount of work "The Coons" had put into arranging the songs they chose for this album. When we got to the studio they knew exactly how they wanted each song and their performance to sound, which makes the job of producer much easier. Basically, all I had to do was sit and listen. They were very well prepared. If country music radio stations would get back to the business of playing and promoting real country music, some of the songs on this album would get serious attention, and national chart action. "Abraham"; "Country In My Genes"; "Casting Stones"; "It's Gonna Rain"; ... If this were 1966 to 1972, this album, coupled with the great success of their first Pinecastle release, "The L & N Don't Stop Here Anymore", could establish these people and serve them well for the rest of their careers. I'm not saying they are top 10, (as of yet I don't know anyone who has been able to make that prediction), but I know they would be on a lot of play lists, making it possible to compete on a level playing field. The band consists of real, honest to goodness, country people. They're not trying to be anything other than what you see and hear. They are a very talented, well prepared, professional group of women, making their presence known in a very hard business, and, I might add, doing it for a very long time. They are members of the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in Renfro Valley, Kentucky where they have been since 1979. It has been an extreme pleasure getting to know them, working with them, and maybe helping them to establish their band and its music. They are a class act and well deserving of your support. Thanks to: The New Coon Creek Girls (for doing the job when the light came on); Tom Riggs (Pinecastle Records, for giving me this project to produce); Rich Adler and John Eberle (of Suite 2000 and NRP, respectively, whose technical knowledge is surpassed by none); and you, for making this all possible. Had I known it was going to be this good, I would have paid to get in. -Sonny Osborne Abraham Ain't Love A Good Thing 241k.wav Westbound Train It's Gonna Rain Casting Stones Scalded Squaw Country In My Genes Our Paths May Cross Again Kiss Me One More Time Just One Time Ramona's Dream Wild Bill Jones The L & N Don't Stop Here Anymore Pinecastle 1027 Fireball Mail I Should Be With You The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore 246k.wav Little Willie Kentucky Blues Stop, Look and Listen Hammer and Nails 'Possum Kingdom I Ain't Never Mississippi Delta Dawn I Pressed Through The Crowd Brand New Home Stormy Night Tennessee Blues Burning Love So I'll Ride Turquoise Records TR-CD-5075 So I'll Ride 143k.wav Timberline Hicker Nut ridge I Know It's Been Said Big John McNeal Picture Of You The Master's Plan The Rockin' Chair Kata Rhe Pretty Polly Tallahassee In My Mind So I'll Ride(Instrumental) Playing Our Respect Turoquoise Records - TR-5069 You Live In A World All Your Own 253k.wav Theme Time Gonna Have Myself A Ball I Know What It Means To Be Lonesome Blue-Eyed Boy Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown I Still Miss Someone Let The Light Shine Down On Me Let Me Be The First To Know Up Jumped The Devil I Saw Your Face In The Moon Night Train To Memphis Pictures Turquoise Records - TR-5064 Down, Down, Down 273k.wav The Man Who Rode On The Mule I Can't Love You Anymore (Stand Up and Shout) Hallelujah What Am I Doing Loving You Again Pictures Charlie My Burden's Been Lifted Lord I'm Coming Home Goodbye and So Long To You Home Sweet Highway Rutabaga Records - RR-3008 Home Sweet Highway 222k.wav Jesus Is The Light Of My Life Everybody's Coming Home Tonight (But My Baby) Something Turns Away "P. Cox" Rag I'll Be Alright Tomorrow Drive Time Hank Williams Medley: Hey Good Looking I Can't Help It Why Don't You Love Me I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry I Saw The Light Performance Schedule For performance schedule please see Dale Ann Bradley & Coon Creek Mail Order CD's, Cassettes and Other Products The New Coon Creek Girls Shop By Mail 312 Angel Road Berea, Ky, 40403 Everything You Do (Touches Someone Else) PRC 1055 CD $15.00 Cassette $10.00 Ain't Love A Good Thing PRC 1040 CD $15.00 Cassette $10.00 The L & N Don't Stop Here Anymore PRC 1027 CD $15.00 Cassette $10.00 So I'll Ride TR 5075 CD $15.00 Cassette $10.00 Playing Our Respects TR 5069 Cassette $10.00 Pictures TR 5069 Cassette $10.00 Home Sweet Highway RR 3008 Cassette $10.00 VIDEO (OUR HOME IN RENFRO VALLEY) PRCV 103 (Filmed Live At Renfro Valley) $20.00 T-Shirts Large & X Large $12.00 XX Large & XXX Large $15.00 NCCG APRONS $20.00 NCCG CAPS $ 7.00 8 X 10 Black & White Pictures $ 3.00 SHIPPING $10. - $20. 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