Frank Greathouse joins old friend Lightnin' Wells and host Silas Albright to discuss his journey.

Frank co-founded the New Deal String Band, an influential long-haired bluegrass band out of North Carolina in the late 1960s who paved the way for the Newgrass style.

After Frank dropped off a record at Fillmore East when he was passing through for Woodstock, the New Deal String Band landed a gig at the iconic NYC venue in December of 1969, which led to a great review in Billboard Magazine and a major record deal with Sire. The band released an album, traveled nationally and became a regular act at Carlton Haney's legendary bluegrass festivals.

At one of those festivals in Camp Springs, NC, Bill Monroe joined New Deal on stage for a performance. Frank and the Father of Bluegrass played mandolin together on Dusty Miller.

Later, Frank befriended bluesman George Herbert Moore and traveled around playing gigs with different groups and as a solo performer. He ran a waterfront music venue in Wilmington, NC, and successful music shops in Florida.

Songs included in episode:

0:00: One More Night - New Deal String Band

19:44: Dusty Miller - New Deal String Band

45:42: O Lordy Mama - George Herbert Moore

1:00:31: Black Girl - Frank Greathouse featuring Leroy Savage

1:08:03: What Did I Do? - Frank Greathouse

Links:

-Video of New Deal String Band playing Love Potion No. 9 at Camp Springs in 1971

-The contract between the Fillmore East and the New Deal String Band for their concert Dec. 2, 1969 in a Facebook post

-Audio of New Deal playing One More Night, Memories of Mother & Dad, Prisoner's Songs

-Audio (49 minutes worth) of New Deal playing Camp Springs in 1971

-Burgaw Blues video of George Herbert Moore, with Frank introducing him and Lightnin' playing harmonica with him

-Frank plays an original tune, Sack Full O'Possum, at the Florida Seafood Festival