On the Air (Copper Creek Records CCCD 0128) is a compilation of radio transcription recordings from Don Reno and Arthur Lee "Red" Smiley and the Tennessee Cut-Ups, preserving performances from the duo's television and radio appearances in the Roanoke, Virginia, region during their most active years. Reno plays banjo and sings; Smiley plays guitar and sings lead; Ronnie Reno plays mandolin; Mack Magaha plays fiddle; and John Palmer holds the bass. The broadcast format documents the Tennessee Cut-Ups in a context distinct from their King Records studio sessions — looser, more conversational, and capturing the between-song banter that sustained their wide regional following. Copper Creek released the compilation as part of their ongoing effort to document broadcast archives of bluegrass's mid-century working bands.
Tracklist
- 1 Opening theme
- 2 Tennessee Wagoner alt version 1:35
- 3 It's a little more like Heaven
- 4 I'm stepping out tonight
- 5 Getting' ready to leave this world
- 6 Closing theme
- 7 Turkey in the Straw alt version 3:09
- 8 I’ll Stay Around alt version 3:21
- 9 Flop-Eared Mule alt version 1:58
- 10 There’s More Pretty Girls Than One alt version
- 11 Jesse James alt version
- 12 Closing theme
- 13 Sweethearts in Heaven
- 14 Lasses
- 15 Someone will love me in Heaven
- 16 Closing theme: Golden slippers
- 17 Introduction by Don Owens
- 18 I Know You’re Married alt version 2:14
- 19 Commentary with Don Owens
- 20 Dixie Breakdown alt version 2:25
- 21 Commentary for Don Owens
- 22 The Family Bible alt version 2:23
