Thirty Years of Farming is a 2002 Rounder Records album (11661-0490-2) by Virginia baritone James King (1956–2019), a Stanley Brothers–influenced singer from Henry County. The album's title track — written by Canadian alt-country songwriter Fred Eaglesmith — tells the story of a family watching its farm auctioned away after foreclosure, taking a final look before driving off. The song became King's signature recording, appearing on his merchandise and following him through the rest of his career. The backing ensemble — Kevin Prater on mandolin, Adam Poindexter on banjo, Owen Saunders on fiddle, and Joe Clark on bass — supports King with the spare, direct approach that suited his deep, mournful voice. The album captures King at his mature peak as a traditional bluegrass singer.
Tracklist
- 1 Thirty Years of Farming Source Recording 4:29
- 2 I Don't See What I Once Saw 3:56
- 3 Heartbreak Express 2:35
- 4 Roy Lee 3:33
- 5 Flame In My Heart 2:39
- 6 Toil, Tears And Trouble 2:39
- 7 Here Today And Gone Tomorrow 4:15
- 8 A Faded Rose, A Broken Heart 2:37
- 9 Color Of The Blues 2:56
- 10 Days Of Grey And Black 2:52
- 11 I Overlooked An Orchid 2:48
- 12 Whoopin' It 3:22
- 13 Play Us A Waltz 4:17
