Keepin’ on the Sunny Side
Brian Yerman puts new spin on old tunes with The Bloomin’ Yermaniums

By Paulette Isaacs

Brian Yerman, local musician and member of the Corklickers, “grew up in upstate New York, but he has been living in southern Appalachia playing guitar with old-time musicians since the mid-1970s. Since his move, Brian has sought out and hosted traditional mountain musicians in Wytheville, Virginia, and Watauga County, North Carolina, where his old-time music parties have become legendary. He has also been singing gospel music since 1993 with Boone’s Mennonite Brethren Choir and with a group he performed with at MerleFest called The Gospel Gems.

Brian Yerman has his friends from the Boone-based group, The Lazybirds, join him on his release The Bloomin’ Yermaniums.  The project is a collection of songs that Yerman has a great love for and the variety is evidence of his extensive background in various musical genres.

George L. Cobb and Jack Yellen’s “Alabama Jubilee” is a great upbeat number and in this version, there are lyrics! Brian, in his liner notes, writes that he learned the words from the Skillet Lickers’ version.

“Blue Railroad Train” by the Delmore Brothers of Alabama is a staple in Yerman’s repertoire, as he has performed this song for over 30 years. According to Yerman, “I think I may be about to get it.” In addition, “Broken Hearted Lover” is given some great play on this project, as well.

Hank William’s “Kawliga” is a song that Yerman heard on the radio as a child and it stuck. Yerman was also able to visit Kawliga on Lake Martin in Alabama. Kawliga, the wooden Indian, is given human qualities and feelings even though his heart is made of “knotty pine.”

Two Carter Family classics are included on The Bloomin’ Yermaniums. “Keep on the Sunnyside” is described as Yerman’s theme song, as it gives folks some good advice.  “Oh, Take Me Back” has a bluesy feel to it, and the instrumentation is really appealing.

“Desert Blues” and “Prairie Lullaby” were both written by Jimmy Rodgers. “Desert Blues” is a comical piece, whereas “Prairie Lullaby” is a more somber number, but very lovely.

Sacred number, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (Washington Phillips version) reminds Christians of their never-failing friend in their Lord. Another gospel number included on this project is The Blue Sky Boys’ number ,“Turn Your Radio On.”

Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith is credited with two tunes on the project: “Red Apple Rag” and “Fiddlers Blues.” The musicians on these tunes really bring back the old-timey sounds and are very enjoyable.  The fiddle and steel guitar work on “Fiddlers Blues” is cool. Though not a Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith number, the instrumental, “Whistlin’ Rufus” fits well with the other tunes included on the CD.

“Mooshatanio,” written by Jimmy Driftwood (also the writer of “The Tennessee Stud”), is a story of a man falling in love with an Indian chief’s daughter. This is a song that this writer has never heard, but it has quickly become a favorite!

Charlie Monroe’s “Rosa Lee McFall” is a tragic story of a young lady’s death and how the young man left behind will never love another on this earth. Another Monroe song, “Red Rockin’ Chair,” has some extra lyrics on this version, contributed by Frank Profitt.

“That Milky White Way” is one that Elvis fans might easily recognize. Yerman’s vocals on this number are superb!

Musicians making an appearance on The Bloomin’ Yermaniums are: Brian Yerman (guitar, vocals), Jay Brown (resonator guitar, harmonica, vocals), Mitch Johnston (string bass, vocals), Jamey Browne (drums, vocals), Andy Cristopher (tenor guitar, tenor banjo, vocals), and Alfred Michels (fiddle).

The project was recorded and mixed by Bud Brown at Higher Ground Studios in Birmingham, Alabama, and was produced by Brian Yerman. Artwork was produced by Kelly Sheets, and graphic design is by Matt Hrenak.

Contact information for Brian Yerman is: (828) 264-2572 / P.O. Box 22, Boone, NC 28607. More information may be obtained at www.artists.blueridgeheritage.com.

Local musicians are invited to send in your materials for a review by Paulette Isaacs. They may be mailed to 286 Phillip Road, Elk Park, NC 28622. Sorry, materials cannot be returned. For more information, you may email dpisaacs@localnet.com.