Kentucky Girl

     Bluegrass Music Shop in Columbus Ohio hosts a jam which incredibly lasts all day long every Saturday staring at 8:00 AM. I can't believe that anyone gets up that early to play bluegrass, but they do. 

http://www.bluegrassmusicshop.com/

    I attended that jam for the first time last week and met a lot of nice folks and tried to learn some new songs. One such song is Kentucky Girl, which the banjo player introduced thusly:

"This here song has only two chords, G and D. So if you try one and it don't sound right, play the other." 

     Well, with that compelling logic, how can you miss?

     To make a long story short, two chords never sounded so good.  This is a really good song!

     So, I did some research on the net, and found out that it was composed and played in about 1972 by a fellow named Charlie Moore.  Travers Chandler tells the story of Charlie's short but brilliant life here:  http://www.averycountyband.com/fr_charliemoore.cfm , Kentucky Girl has also been recorded by the likes of Thunder Mountain Bluegrass, Big Country Bluegrass, and Larry Sparks. Youtube has some versions from the Crosspickers, the Carolina Bluegrass,  Carolina Rebels, the New Connection Bluegrass Band, and a few others.

     Here's a version from a group called the Rhoda Creek Boys. I was going to not even bother with it, figuring it was just some kids. But kids or not they can really play and the vocal harmonies are excellent.

 

I also like this version by John Cogdill, which is evidently from a parking lot jam (that, by the way, is where the best music is played, definitely not in a recording studio!) ...

....and finally , one more from the Flint Hill Ramblers:

In order to play along with the first and second video, you can capo on 2nd and play in the key of G, or else you can be a little more daring and play in the key of A. 

The third video is in the God-given key of G, which is the same key we played in at the jam.  

CHORUS: 

G(A)                           D(E)
Kentucky girl are you lonesome tonight, 
                                G(A)  
Kentucky girl, do you miss me? 
                                                    D(E) 
Does that old moon shine on the bluegrass as bright
                                                G(A)
As it did on the night you first kissed me?  

INSTRUMENTAL BREAK
  

      G(A)                       D(E)
In a valley, 'neath the mountain so high,
                                  G (A)
the  sweetest place in all the world  
                          D(E)
In a cabin with vines on the door 
                                    G(A)
is where I  met my Kentucky girl


INSTRUMENTAL BREAK

       G (A)                      D (E)
I'm far away from old Kentucky tonight,
                                         G (A)
and the blue-eyed girl that I love so. 

                                          D (E)
But Im heading home in the silvery moon light 
                                G (A)
with open arms she waits i know.  

CHORUS