Listen: The Holmes Brothers on Mountain Stage From 1990

This week Larry Groce is going back four decades to pull some “Gems From the Archive.” We’ll hear some of our favorite performances from 1990 on this week’s special episode.

The music of The Holmes Brothers-Sherman and Wendell Holmes, with their life-long friend Popsy Dixon- has always held a special place in the pop music canon. Their songwriting and instrumental chops, coupled with topical subject matter, made for powerful performances. Our Song of the Week, “Big Boss Man,” is from the band’s first of many appearances on Mountain Stage, recorded May 6, 1990.

The song would be included in the band’s 2010 release Simple Truths.

Sadly drummer Willie “Popsy” Dixon died on January 9, 2015 of cancer. In April 2015, Wendell Holmes, vocalist, guitarist, pianist and songwriter, announced his retirement from touring and performing due to health concerns, and passed away on June 19.

Older brother, Sherman Holmes, vocalist, bassist, pianist, and songwriter with The Holmes Brothers, continues to celebrate and explore The Holmes Brothers legacy, leading a new band: The Sherman Holmes Project, who appeared on Mountain Stage in July 2017.

See the entire playlist from our “Gems From the Archive: 1990” here, and listen starting Friday April 17 on these NPR stations.