THE CHURCH OF

THE BLACKPOT REVIVAL

Well, folks… This whole business started nearly twenty years ago with an old fiddle.

Jim Phillips had inherited his grandfather’s fiddle and decided to write himself a tune.

There was just one little problem.

He didn’t know how to play the damned thing.

But that didn’t stop him.

He scratched around until he found a melody, called it Ode to Ungar, and went on about his business.

Now, years later, that little tune somehow got mixed up with Les Blank, a fellow named Nicky Butler, and some rather questionable connections in Nashville.

Exactly what happened up there remains a matter of considerable speculation.

But somehow, that old fiddle tune came back sounding like it had spent a few Sundays in a gospel church.

Now, you’d think that might have satisfied Jim.

But no.

Next thing you know, he’s sitting around with his little Kamaka ukulele, picking out melodies that ain’t much more than a handful of notes and a little curiosity.

And wouldn’t you know it?

Those little tunes started going to church, too.

A Hammond organ.

A gospel piano.

A choir lifting the roof!

All that from a man sitting around playing with a few notes.

Now, we ain’t claiming any miracles here.

But we are beginning to suspect that a little tune, given enough attention, can turn into something neither the musician nor the instrument ever imagined.

And that’s what we’re exploring here at The Church of the Blackpot Revival.

A little fiddle.

A little ukulele.

And a whole lot of hallelujah.

This is Nicky Butler, WBRD — Radio for the Restless Spirit.

Turn that dial… See what comes.

Well, folks… You’ve heard what happened when a few little fiddle and ukulele tunes got themselves mixed up with gospel music.

Now, I don’t know about you… But I’m beginning to wonder what might happen if we put some actual musicians in the same room.

I’m talking about a real Hammond organ.

A gospel piano.

Some of those extraordinary Louisiana singers who can raise the roof without even trying.

And maybe Jim sitting over in the corner with that little ukulele, wondering what in the hell he’s gotten himself into.

Now, we’re not quite there yet.

We’ve got musicians to gather, arrangements to work out, and a little money to raise.

But that’s how most good things begin around The Whirlybird.

Somebody gets an idea.

Somebody else says, “Well, hell, why not?” And before you know it…

You’ve got yourself a beneficial accident.

So stay tuned, friends.

The Church of the Blackpot is getting ready for a revival.

And when those musicians finally get together…

Lord knows what’s liable to happen.

This is Nicky Butler, WBRD — Radio for the Restless Spirit.

Come on in.

There’s always room for one more.