Of all the pioneering bands in the 1940s and 1950s performing a style of country music eventually known as bluegrass, the duo of Don Reno and Red Smiley is revered as one of the most professional, entertaining and enduring acts of the genre. The group set a standard for excellence in their music that today’s newest acts are continually challenged to match. Reno and Smiley were gifted musicians, vocalist, entertainers and stylists, in addition to fronting successful careers as television and recording artists. They thankfully left behind a large body of recorded output for generation upon generation to enjoy and learn from.

This new Copper Creek release captures Reno and Smiley and the Tennessee Cutups as they sounded on radio and television in their prime during some of their busiest years in country music, 1957 to 1960. Featured are portions of four radio/TV broadcasts that the group appeared on. The first segment comes from a visit that Don and Red paid to radio station WLOE in Eden, North Carolina on January 17, 1958 to promote an appearance in the nearby town of Spray later that evening. Another collection of recordings comes from a set of 1959 shows the group was recording for WARL in Arlington, Virginia. A third segment finds the group in a performance from November 2, 1957 at WRVA in Richmond, Virginia as part of the New Dominion Barn Dance. The fourth and final portion of On The Air is taken from the “Don Owens TV Jamboree” as seen on WTTG Channel 5 in Washington, D.C.

Any complete collection of Reno and Smiley music would greatly be enriched with the selections found on On The Air. The project offers both new arrangements of old standards as well as a number of rare selections never before included on commercial recordings. This release serves as a reminder of just how versatile and great Don Reno, Red Smiley, and the Tennessee Cutups were as a unit, and acts as a tribute to their contribution to the art of not merely playing but performing bluegrass music. Long time fans and new fans alike won’t want to let this one slip by!