During the middle and late 1950s, one of the most popular performers in bluegrass was Hylo Brown and his band The Timberliners. Through regular appearances on the WWVA World’s Original Jamboree, television programs sponsored by Martha White Mills, a string of successful recordings on the Capitol label and a busy touring schedule, Hylo remained one of the most visible artists of the decade. He also did several stints with Flatt & Scruggs’ Foggy Mountain Boys as a featured soloist.

At the height of his popularity in 1959, one of Hylo’s concert performances was captured on tape and has survived through the years to appear as In Concert. The program, recorded at the legendary Maryland park New River Ranch, offers an entertaining look at one of bluegrass’ best early bands in action. For the event, Hylo served up a fine assortment of songs which included renderings of his recent Capitol releases as well as traditional ballads and several fast-paced instrumentals. The members of The Timberliners on this program are among the most celebrated: fiddler Tater Tate, banjoist Jim Smoak, and bassist Jay Bailey.

Although it has been nearly forty-five years since Hylo hit his musical peak, there remains an active interest in his career and music. His 1950s Capitol recordings were recently the subject of a well-received reissue and younger contemporary bands such as IIIrd Tyme Out, Ric-O-Chet and Lou Reid – Terry Baucom and Carolina have recycled Hylo’s songs on recent projects. Ricky Skaggs scored a major hit with Hylo’s “Lost To A Stranger” in the 1980s. Along with an excellent essay by noted historian Ivan Tribe and rare photos from Hylo’s personal collection, In Concert is an enjoyable souvenir of classic bluegrass by one of the best.