Ten Favorite Wild Songs: Wild and Wicked World (#1)

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What a wild time I had counting down my favorite songs that have the word "wild" in the title. It was such a wild idea that @teamfreak16 joined in. We have matched on one song, which I figured we would, given the iconic nature of the song. This song, my favorite with the world "wild" in the title, is not the song we matched on. Here's my favorite wild child. #1: Wild and Wicked World - Johnson Mountain Boys This is a country and bluegrass classic. It's been recorded by the likes of Johnnie & Jack and Ray Price. Instead of one of those older versions, I'm going with a relatively recent version, by one of the great, underrated bluegrass bands of the 80s, the Johnson Mountain Boys. In an era of "newgrass" and "progressive bluegrass" the Johnson Mountain Boys came along as the "new" practitioners of traditional bluegrass: no electric instruments, no drums, no kidding! While the JMB never became "superstars" they did spearhead the neotraditional movement in bluegrass (that, coincidentally, began just about the same time as country music's "neotraditional" revival). Despite their lack of "superstardom," the Johnson Mountain Boys were blessed with one of the greatest vocalists in bluegrass music: guitarist/songwriter Dudley Connell. His beautiful voice sets this version of the classic song apart from every other rendition. (Quick funny story: Connell was nominated numerous times for the bluegrass male vocalist award, but never won. Finally, in 2001, he did win. He began his acceptance speech by saying, "I was beginning to feel like the Susan Lucci of bluegrass!" ) Original Johnson Mountain Boys fiddler Eddie Stubbs is now the Grand Ole Opry historian and one of the most respected DJs in America (he's in the Country DJ Hall of Fame, and he's only 55!). Connell now is a member of the Seldom Scene. While the band is gone, the music they left is still thrilling and influencing traditional bluegrass fans. What a band. What a song. Thanks for reading. Wild and Wicked World Written by J.D. Miller Recorded by the Johnson Mountain Boys From Live at the Birchmere, 1984 You may be left a lonely, lonely girl: