Gerry Lee

Gerry Lee This is the page for "Back in the saddle again", my weekly show on River FM 92.5 on Friday morning at 10.

We feature country, western, bluegrass, old-time and Americana, along with local performers in the genre.

09/10/2025

So tomorrow on BITSa (notice the up-to-date sentence opening?) we are going to listen to Bill Monroe's Greatest Hits, which is a cheapo compilation that is surprisingly comprehensive. No need to go on about Monroe's contribution to bluegrass, country and americana. Also other lost favourites, including a comparison of the Byrds' version of a trad song, and an ambient version. Then I'll have a lie down, too much excitement. Back in the Saddle Again, River FM, 92.9 and streaming to the universe, 10.10.25, 10-noon.

03/10/2025

RIP Jane Goodall đŸ«¶đŸ’ The story behind the cartoon: In his 1987 cartoon strip, Larson referred to Jane Goodall as a ‘tramp’ but all in good fun and while Goodall’s institution took offence, she went ahead and made friends with the artist:

A controversy in 1987 involving Goodall and Larson garnered a national response.

The cartoon depicted a chimpanzee couple, and while they were grooming each other, the female found a single blonde strand of hair on the male and probed, “Conducting a little more ‘research’ with that Jane Goodall tramp?”

Larson, however, had never meant for it to express any malice towards Goodall.

With Jane out of the country, the Jane Goodall Institute let Gary know that it was not amused.

In his ‘The Prehistory of The Far Side: A 10th Anniversary Collection’, Larson wrote: “I was horrified.

Not so much from a fear of being sued
 but because of my deep respect for Jane Goodall and her well-known contributions to primatology.

The last thing in the world I would have intentionally done was offend Dr Goodall in any way.”

When Jane finally saw the cartoon, she loved it. Gary was relieved.

And that was “the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” A friendship that saw the cartoon printed for the benefit of The Institute.

02/10/2025

Inspired by the River FM fundraiser, A Complete Unknown, we are going to have another look at a small part of Bob Dylan's mammoth creativity, which was based largely on americana, folk, and country. Mainly the tracks that feature in that era, and the electric explosion, and maybe some versions by others. I'm going to enjoy it, anyway. And thanks to all that made it a success. Back in the Saddle Again, River FM, 92.9 and streaming, 3.10.25 at 10am.

25/09/2025

Following last week's special on Rhiannon Giddens, tomorrow on ITSA we will look at her chum Leyla McCalla's A day for the Hunter. Again, this looks at the roots of Americana and the many influences of the music. Back in the Saddle Again, River FM, 92.9 and streaming (go to the River FM website for the link), 26.9.25, 10am til noon.

Tomorrow on BITSA we are going to do a bit of a U-ey by featuring an album from this century by the extraordinary Rhiann...
18/09/2025

Tomorrow on BITSA we are going to do a bit of a U-ey by featuring an album from this century by the extraordinary Rhiannon Giddens, who does all of americana in one song - folk, country, bluegrass, jazz, soul, celtic, and so on. Classically trained, and a founding member of the Chocolate Drops, she is also a musicologist, with encyplopaedic knowledge of black influences in American music. Plus other similar bits and pieces. Back in the Saddle Again, River FM, 92.9, streaming on the app on the website, Friday 19.8.25, 10-noon.

11/09/2025

Tomorrow on BITSA we will celebrate the birthday of Jimmie Rodgers on the 8th. He made the first country record to be played on radio, although the Carter Family were probably the first to record country. Back in the Saddle Again, River FM, 92.9 and streaming, Friday 12.9.25, 10-noon.

Tomorrow on BITSA we are going to look back 53 years to Neil Young's Harvest, because it is a great record, and well wor...
04/09/2025

Tomorrow on BITSA we are going to look back 53 years to Neil Young's Harvest, because it is a great record, and well worth a nostalgic visit. Other favourite bon bons as well. Back in the Saddle Again, Friday 5.9.25, River FM, 92.9, streaming through the universe, 10am-noon.

28/08/2025

Plenty of us are still fans of Don Williams in 2025 and I’d argue his music has aged better than most. Don wasn’t the kind of artist who chased trends or tried to outshine the spotlight; he let the songs do the work. That’s why his nickname, “The Gentle Giant,” still fits him so well. His voice had this rare calmness, like a steady hand on your shoulder, and when he sang, the world seemed to slow down just enough for you to breathe.

Tracks like “Tulsa Time,” “Good Ole Boys Like Me,” and “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good” aren’t just hits, they’re timeless companions. His music had a way of speaking simple truths that still feel relevant decades later. In a time when so much feels loud and fleeting, Don’s songs remain an anchor of peace, wisdom, and sincerity.

The fans are still here and new ones keep discovering him every day. Because when music is built on honesty and heart, like Don Williams made it, it doesn’t belong to just one era. It lives on, always ready to offer comfort and truth to whoever needs it.

Address

Lismore, NSW
2480

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Gerry Lee posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Gerry Lee:

Shortcuts

Share

Category