Though The Dillards were already an established bluegrass band, their biggest claim to fame is performing musically as members of the fictional Darling family on The Andy Griffith Show, introducing bluegrass to many Americans who had never heard it. This was a recurring role and the Dillards were led by veteran character actor Denver Pyle as their father and jug player, Briscoe Darling. Maggie Peterson played Charlene Darling, their sister and the focus for the attentions of character Ernest T. Bass, played by Howard Morris. The appearances of the Dillards as the Darlings ran between 1963 and 1966. In 1986, the Dillards reprised the role in the reunion show Return to Mayberry. As part of their current tour, Rodney Dillard answers questions about the TV series. He says the songs such as "Dooley" are about people the family knew.
On the October 1963 episode "Briscoe Declares for Aunt Bee", the Dillards performed the first wide scale airing of the 1955 Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith composition Feudin' Banjos (Dueling Banjos).
According to Jim Clark of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club, three albums have been produced with songs performed on the show. Clark says Songs That Make Me Cry is the only one currently available with real performances and has the three songs which included Maggie Peterson, who played Charlene. Back Porch Bluegrass: Live Almost includes five songs that were sung on the show, and Rodney Dillard released another album with the real performances of other songs.
The Dillards are notable for being among the first bluegrass groups to have electrified their instruments in the mid-1960s. They are considered to be one of the pioneers of the burgeoning southern California folk rock, country rock and progressive bluegrass genres, and are known to have directly or indirectly influenced artists such as The Eagles, The Byrds, and Elton John. In 1972, The Dillards joined Elton John on his first American tour. John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin has also acknowledged their influence, particularly in his decision to play the mandolin.
Rodney Dillard is a founding member of The Dillards - the group he formed with his brother, Douglas Dillard in the late 1950s. Credited throughout the years as the driving force behind the group's musical direction, success, and phenomenal longevity as a working act. Today, Dillard's musical duties include lead and harmony vocals, guitar, and dobro.
Beverly Cotten-Dillard is a native of Morrisville, North Carolina who performed with Janette Carter, Ola Belle Reed, Tommy Jarrell, and Doc and Merle Watson. She has appeared on Hee Haw and the Disney Channel and at Carnegie Hall. Cotten-Dillard is recognized as an authority on the traditional "clawhammer" banjo technique and is a featured member of The Dillards live shows. Her 1981 album Clog-In 'is considered an American folk classic."
George Giddens is a classically trained musician who is an awarded fiddler and mandolin player for the band.
Gary J. Smith was added to the lineup, having recorded double bass in the 2015 studio sessions for the new Dillards album. Smith is well known in Nashville circles after stints with Tom T. Hall, The Brother Boys, Ed Snodderly, and his long-time collaborator, Jeff Gilkinson.
Former member, Dean Webb, died at the age of 81, on June 30, 2018.
EBO Walker
The Dillards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He took up fiddle playing just for fun, that's the last work Ebo Walker done.
Well Ebo Walker left Kentucky
cause Ebo's daddy said durn your hide,
You won't plant corn, and you won't make hay,
you sit on the porch and play that thing all day.
Well Ebo Walker, he walked and he fiddled and he walked and he fiddled and he drank till he died,
But I've heard tell when the winds are down and the moon shines bright, and the leaves are brown,
You can hear old Ebo Walker all around.
The song EBO Walker tells the story of a man named Ebo Walker who was born and raised in Kentucky. Ebo's father had a farm on a hillside, where Ebo grew up playing fiddle. It is said that Ebo took up fiddle playing just for fun, but it ultimately became his life's passion.
The lyrics describe how Ebo's father was not supportive of his son's musical pursuits and encouraged him to focus on farming instead. Despite this, Ebo left Kentucky and continued to walk and play his fiddle, drinking along the way until he died.
The last verse of the song offers a hint of hope, suggesting that Ebo's spirit lives on through his music. It is said that on quiet nights when the moon is out and the leaves are brown, one can hear Ebo Walker's fiddle playing in the wind.
Line by Line Meaning
Now Ebo Walker was born in Kentucky, and raised by his daddy on a hillside farm,
Ebo Walker originated from Kentucky and was brought up on a farm by his father, on the side of a hill.
He took up fiddle playing just for fun, that's the last work Ebo Walker done.
Ebo Walker played the fiddle as a hobby, and that was his final occupation before passing away.
Well Ebo Walker left Kentucky cause Ebo's daddy said durn your hide,
Ebo Walker departed from Kentucky owing to his father's words of anger.
You won't plant corn, and you won't make hay, you sit on the porch and play that thing all day.
In his father's view, Ebo Walker was neglecting his duties on the farm, and focusing all his energy on fiddle playing instead.
Well Ebo Walker, he walked and he fiddled and he walked and he fiddled and he drank till he died,
Ebo Walker spent his life doing little else but traveling on foot, playing the fiddle, and indulging in alcohol, until his eventual death.
But I've heard tell when the winds are down and the moon shines bright, and the leaves are brown,
Rumours suggest that during silent nights when there is little wind, a bright full moon and falling leaves, one can hear the music played by Ebo Walker.
You can hear old Ebo Walker all around.
Ebo Walker's music is still being played in the area, and echoes of his tunes can be heard.
Lyrics © LYNNE GREEN-MELINCOFF D/B/A HOFFMAN HOUSE MUSIC
Written by: MITCH WAYNE, RODNEY DILLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind