Back To The Ozarks

Musicians:
Lillyanne McCool: banjo, lead & harmony vocals
Crystal McCool: bass, harmony vocals
Jackie McCool: rhythm guitar
Mary Parker: fiddl
Clinton Johnson: mandolin
Turner Atwell: lead guitar

This song was the first song that I ever wrote with my mom. Mom started writing the song one summer while we were at Midwest Banjo Camp in Olivet, Michigan. She was missing the hills of home and was trying to find a way to be productive while I was taking classes during the day. She had the first verse and chorus written and then she laid it aside and didn’t mess with it again until fall. I asked her if I could write a verse and she was thrilled that I was showing an interest in songwriting, which is a passion she inherited from her mom. When I came back with the second verse, she cried. The second verse is about how the musicians and folks gather in the evenings around our court square to jam every night, weather permitting. The square is packed with different groups of people jamming, singing, dancing, and enjoying the music. I’ve grown up falling asleep while my folks were jamming into the middle of the night on the square. I use to crawl inside my mom’s bass case and zip myself up to sleep. Now, I’m jamming right along with them. The music we share brings us together and creates bonds between people. Mountain View, AR is the self-proclaimed Folk Music Capital of the World and we take a lot of pride in trying to live up to that title.