The Village Idiophonist: Bill Bailey and Friends

Abstract

The Village Idiophonist: Bill Bailey and Friends Recorded live at the Rocky Ripple Town Hall Rocky Ripple, Indiana, April 12, 2023 Percussion has been a major thread in Bill Bailey’s life. Though he played drums as a child, he stopped in college and remained “music-less” for several years until neighbors encouraged him to pursue old-time music. Not long after, he began striking spoons together and thumping out complex rhythms on a washboard. Bill began jamming with a range of old-time, blues, and jug band musicians from Central Indiana. A staple at the Indiana State Fair’s Pioneer Village for nearly thirty years, he actively coordinates the Village stages, inviting musicians, storytellers, and other entertainers from across Indiana to perform. He also accompanies many of these ensembles with his arsenal of idiophones. In addition, Bill also paints and outfits musical washboards for the Columbus Washboard Company. Today, Bill continues to build washboards, play percussion, and teach others about the joys of making music. Through playing idiophones, Bill works to inspire future generations to incorporate music into their everyday lives.

Accompanying Players and Tracks

Witch Hazel Valley People (Country Nostalgic)

Bill Bailey, Coffee grinder, conga, cowbells, cymbals, national washboard, out-of-tune steel drum, school bell, ten whistle rack, train whistle, and zydeco rubboard; Robin Harrison, Guitar and voice; Allen Stratyner, harmonica; Steven Ray Robbins, mandolin

The Wabash Cannonball (or Great Rock Island Line) Goofus Java, Java, Jive Kansas City Star 2:01 Last Drop Jug Band

Bill Bailey, Bison jawbone, German Clappers, gourd, train whistle, washboard, and zydeco rubboard; Dave Devaull, Guitar and voice; Jude Odell, Banjo and voice; Greg Smith, Bass; Allen Stratyner, harmonica

The Cats Got the Measles Walk Right In 3:30 Hey! Lawdy Mama – The France Blues 3:31 They’re Red Hot 3:49 Blues Ambassadors (Traditional Blues) Bill Bailey, cymbals, spoons, and tambourine; Jerome Mills, Bass; Steven Ray Robbins, Guitar, mandolin, and voice; Jay Thompson, harmonica She Caught the Katy (And Left me a Mule to Ride) 3:38 Standing by the Highway 3:18 Bill’s World of Idiophones

Bill’s World of Idiophones National Washboard: bicycle bells, Columbus board scraper, cowbell, cymbals, jigger, and sauce bucket woodblock

Mac Bellner (Celtic & Old Thyme) Bill Bailey, “Bowvine” rib bones; Mac Bellner, Guitar and voice Colcannon Blackberry Jam – Folk Band (Old Tyme) Whiskey Before Breakfast & Arkansas Traveler Don’t Fence Me In

Bill’s World of Idiophones

Bill Bailey, Clydesdale Horseshoe, German Clappers, spoons, tambourine, triangle, whistle rack, woodblock, and zydeco rubboard Idiophone Medley

Jon Kay, Project Director, Co-producer, and Field Recording Engineer Kyle Fulford, Mastering Engineer, Field Recording Engineer, and Audio Editing Spencer Schaefer, Co-producer, Field Recording Engineer, Technical Support and Liner Notes Emily Bryant, Graphic Designer