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Len Ellis talks Country Music on the Midnight Ramble

On this episode of the Midnight Ramble, host Tom Duffee speaks with Indiana 105 radio DJ (and father of local station manager Neenah Ellis) "Uncle" Len Ellis. The proud holder of CMA membership card #1, Ellis was around for the golden age of country music.

In the first segment, Ellis recounts his first visit to Nashville and being shown around the city by RCA's 'man,' legendary country-jazz guitarist and co-creator of the 'Nashville Sound,' Chet Atkins. Ellis tells of Atkins' commitment to music and integrity, and explains the difference between country and 'almost country.

In the second part of the interview, sandwiched between a pair of tunes by country legend Eddy Arnold, Uncle Len reminisces fondly about the performer, whom he refers to as a "gentleman's gentleman." Ellis recounts the story of Arnold's emotional acceptance of the first ever CMA entertainer of the year award. As Ellis attests, "It's not the voice, it's not the music, it's the big heart that he had" that made him so great.

LENELLIS_eddiearnold.mp3
Len Ellis pt. 2: Eddy Arnold

The final segment of the interview finds Len and Tom discussing the late, great Lefty Frizzell, touching on Jimmie Rodgers' prolific final recording session, and closing with Lefty's hit "Always Late."

LENELLIS_leftyfrizzell.mp3
Len Ellis pt. 3: Lefty Frizzell

Tom Duffee has been playing and listening to traditional and country sounds all his life. He started playing the banjo when he was twelve. In his later teens, he started playing in public, sharing in the rich old-time and bluegrass heritage that exists in the Miami Valley. For the past 35 years, he has played in the old-time string band, the Corndrinkers. In 1971, he started programming traditional music on WYSO. With his brothers Dan and Jim, the Duffee brothers initiated a Saturday night bluegrass show as well as a morning offering, Rise When the Rooster Crows, both of which remain on WYSO to this day. Tom's wife, Linda, with whom he shares his life and his music, is a renowned fiddler in the Miami Valley area.