The music of the Bird and Davis families can be traced back over 100 years to the “Champagnolle String Band” that played on local Arkansas radio in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The sub-title of this CD states “Celebrates Fifty Years in Music.” Some historical background is needed. I was not familiar with Union Kun-Tree, but I knew about Bluegrass Kun-Tree. In a section about musicians who entered into bluegrass since the late 1950s, Bill Malone's book (Country Music USA) says "Joe Wilson, from Eldorado, Arkansas, and the leader of a group called Bluegrass Kun-Tree, was one of the best singers in bluegrass music, with a soulful style that somehow suggested the phrasing and emotion of two great but dissimilar stylists: Ralph Stanley and George Jones (Wilson died from a heart attack at his home in Eldorado on Sept. 14, 1984.)” Joe Wilson and Phil Breeding actually worked with Bill Malone in New Orleans (before Phil worked with Carl Sauceman who had a radio station in Gonzales, La.).

Bluegrass Kun-Tree’s previous albums include: The Salt Creek Park Winners, I Just Think I'll Go Away (Kun-Tree 001), Lonesome River (Kun-Tree 002), and Stretching Out (Ridge Runner 0029).  The early LPs included Dorothy Bird (fiddle, vox), Bobby Bird (guitar, vox), Joe Wilson (banjo, vox), Gary Bird (fiddle, vox), and Phil Breeding (bass). BU reviewed their second and third albums in the 2/80 issue. Frank Godbey acknowledged that “they won the best band award at Hugo, Ok. in 8/78, have excellent singing and understated but appropriate picking, the voice of Joe Wilson is the one that stands out, their instrumental accompaniment is played in a straightforward fashion...is usually tasteful, to the point, and technically above average, and their material is mostly familiar with only a couple of new choices.”

The fourth album (“Stretchin’ Out”) was reviewed in BU's 11/81 issue by Richard Spottswood. Besides Joe Wilson, Bobby Bird, Gary Bird & Phil Breeding, it also had Gene Wooten (dobro), Roland White (mando), Junior Knight (steel guitar), Robert Bowling (piano), Gerald Jones (drums), and Dahrell Jones (drums). Spottswood called them a “clean, professional outfit whose instrumental and vocal stylings blend nicely.” He also noted that the band was blessed with a good songwriter in Bill Caswell who authored 5 songs...all nice and "kun-tree." He said that “not one song or musician stood out over the other...this indicating their hard work and much thought given to a good unified group sound.”

Finally, there's a full-length feature article about Bluegrass Kun-Tree in the 8/82 issue of BU. It was written by Arlie Metheny. Guitarist Bobby Bird talks about getting together with Mickey Davis and his cousin and forming a band in the 50s. They played on an Eldorado radio station for 4 and a half years. They played hillbilly tunes, country and country swing.  Mickey Davis became the new fiddler in Bluegrass Kun-Tree, replacing twin fiddlers Gary and Dorothy Bird. Mickey's a cousin to Bobby and Gary and grew up in that area. Mickey's grandfather was a fiddler, and he took some lessons but quit. Then, a few years later, he got some lessons from a guy in Smackover. Mickey's dad was killed when Mickey was 11, and he spent a lot of time with his cousins. They formed the Chitlin Switch Roadrunners. Mickey said, “We were hot to trot. We played on the radio for awhile as kids.”

Mickey went on to major in music at Northeast State in Louisiana, had a very good teacher there, got a scholarship, and got set up in music instead of joining the Air Force like he was thinking of doing. He started teaching music and playing in a symphony orchestra in Jackson, Miss. He did studio work too. His main full-time job (for 10 mts of the year) was with a program with the symphony orchestra. As of the article in '82, he'd done that for 12 years. Summer was his off time so he could go play bluegrass. Mickey also said he was married and had a boy who played guitar and a little banjo but wasn't too interested in it. His daughter (14 at the time) was "burning up piano." Mickey started with Bluegrass Kun-Tree when Gary hurt his hand and they had a lot of festivals scheduled. (In early 1981, Gary had cut off his left ring finger with a router).

Union Kun-Tree is the band that has evolved from this earlier Arkansas bluegrass tradition. Under this name, they have previously recorded two singles (“Daddy’s Train and “Legend of Fayetteville”). The band is now Bobby Bird (guitar, vocals), Gary Bird (fiddle, vocals), Joe Wilson Jr. (banjo, vocals), Mickey Davis (fiddle), and Phil Breeding (bass). Guest musicians on “Are You Ready” include Dwight Bird (banjo), Jamie Bird (mandolin), Nick Charles (guitar, bass), and Newell Roberson (dobro). The group has been honored by the Arkansas State Legislature, and they have been nominated for the Natl. Heritage Fellowship Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award.

“Are You Ready” is Union Kun-Tree’s first of many gospel albums they plan to release. Bobby and Kathey Bird wrote the album’s title song. This 29-minute release is a pleasure to hear, and the same kinds of earlier review comments hold true even today about their cohesive instrumental and vocal work. It is gratifying to see a band maintain their signature sound over the years. The fiddle work, as well as Bobby’s and Joe’s lead vocals, are especially noteworthy. Thanks to the higher quality recording techniques today, we are treated to an even more inspiring, optimistic and “kun-tree” experience than they gave us on the Bluegrass Kun-Tree projects of earlier days. (Joe Ross)