What You've Missed:
Chapter 2 - The Big Break Years
The high point for THE DIRDY BIRDIES JUG BAND came on
January 13, 1968, when they won Cousin Brucie's WABC Radio "Big Break"
contest. The Big Break was a competition of metropolitan area bands
composed of full time students. After auditioning more than 500 bands,
the WABC staff narrowed the field down to 30 bands, each of which recorded
a single tune at the WABC studios. Next, Cousin Brucie played one recording
each night on his radio show, and the field was narrowed to 10, based on
audience post card response.
The finalists, 9 rock and roll bands and THE DIRDY BIRDIES JUG
BAND, met in competition at the New York Hilton Hotel in front
of 5000 people. It was a true Battle of the Bands, with one of three recording
contacts as the prize. Each group was given 5 minutes to perform at least two
tunes, one of which had to be an original. At the end of the evening, the
judging panel, which consisted of such musical heavyweights as Sid Bernstein,
awarded THE DIRDY BIRDIES JUG BAND and two other bands the
coveted recording contracts.
(For more information on The Big Break, and more detail on
this phase of the history of THE DIRDY BIRDIES JUG BAND,
look here.)
Now that you've seen this stuff, and you've really got the hunger,
you're probably looking for something really substantial. Well, for an
honest-to-God history of jug band music, and recommendations on books
and recordings to add to your collection,
look here.
Guano Records is proud to present this exciting
compilation of all your favorites from
The DIRDY BIRDIES Jug Band.
For ordering information, and a run-down of what's included on
Endangered
Species,
look here.
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Chapter 1