Blairsville, Georgia, USA — In the rolling hills and small-town communities of North Georgia, long before bluegrass festivals filled fairgrounds and stages across the state, the sound of Johnny & Gerald and the Georgia Mountain Boys echoed through schoolhouses, churches, and local radio airwaves. Though largely absent from mainstream bluegrass history books, the group stands today as a compelling example of the region’s deep and often undocumented musical roots.
A Homegrown Bluegrass Sound
Led by Johnny Jones (fiddle) and Gerald Heaton (banjo, baritone vocals), the Georgia Mountain Boys delivered a traditional, no-frills bluegrass sound shaped by the influence of pioneers like Bill Monroe and the brother harmonies of The Stanley Brothers.
Other members include:
Cleve Oliver – guitar / tenor vocals
Earl De Hart – mandolin / bass vocals
Larry Nichols – bass / Soprano vocals
(Randall Collins – Fiddle on Original Bluegrass LP released on Rally Records 1965 )
(Wayne Walker & Hubert Legg were members in the late 50’s & early 1960’s)
Their music was characterized by:
- Tight, high-lonesome harmony vocals
- Strong mandolin chop rhythm
- Driving acoustic arrangements
- A mix of gospel, traditional ballads, and early bluegrass standards
This was bluegrass as it lived and breathed in North Georgia—raw, authentic, and rooted in community.
On the Air and On the Road
Like many regional bands of the 1950s and 1960s, Johnny & Gerald and the Georgia Mountain Boys built their reputation through live performance and radio exposure including a regular spot on WKRK in Murphy North Carolina.
They were known to perform at:
- Local radio stations across North Georgia and North Carolina
- Community gatherings and civic events
- Church singings and gospel programs
- Informal picking sessions that helped define the local scene
- Bluegrass Festivals as they began to emerge in the late 1960’s & 70’s.
These appearances were critical in spreading bluegrass music during a time when radio remained the primary medium for discovery.
The Recordings: Rare, Raw, and Regional
The band had a total of three 45 singles and 4 LP Albums that were recorded at various studios and record labels.
Singles:
1. “I Caught a Heartache / Look For Me” recorded on Express Records released between 1960 – 1962.
2. “If We Had The Change / Mothers Prayers Will Live On” – Express Records between – 1960-1962.
3. “There’s Something About The Way You Love / That’s The Reason” – Country Gems – 1962.
Express Records was located in Gainesville, Ga and active in the early 1960’s. They recorded country and gospel music.
LP Albums
1. “Original Bluegrass: was recorded on Rally Records and released in 1965.
2. “Jesus Is Rocking Me” was recorded on Atteiram Records and released in 1972
3. “Sing Gospel Songs” was recorded on Atteiram Records and released in 1972
4. “Bluegrass Hits” was recorded on Atteiram Records and released in 1974
Original Bluegrass – The first LP Album recorded by the band.
Johnny Jones – Guitar, Gerald Heaton – Banjo, Randal Collins – Fiddle
Cleve Oliver – Guitar, Earl De Hart – Mandolin, Larry Nichols – Bass
| A1 Each Day Of My Life | B1 Living Lonely |
| A2 I’m Leaving You Behind | B2 I’ll Share All Your Heartaches |
| A3 I Never Thought | B3 Georgia High Fly |
| A4 Bald Mountain Banjo | B4 Think Of The Things You Have Done |
| A5 Weeping Willow | B5 I Hope You Have No Regret |
| A6 Then I Won’t Wait On You |
Bluegrass Hits – The fourth LP album recorded by the band.
Johnny Jones – Fiddle, Gerald Heaton – Banjo, Cleve Oliver – Guitar
Earl DeHart – Mandolin, Larry Nichols – Bass
| A-1 Katie Daley | B-1 Are You Missing Me |
| A-2 Run Mary, Run | B-2 Jesse James |
| A-3 Wooden Shoe | B-3 Your Selfish Heart |
| A-4 America | B-4 The Lonely Years |
| A-5 I Know You Are Married But I Love You Still | B-5 Congratulations |
| A-6 My Cabin By The Country Road | B-6 I’ve Lived A Lot In My Time |
Why They Still Matter
With 7 recorded projects, the impact of Johnny & Gerald and the Georgia Mountain Boys is significant for the era they were active.
- They helped sustain bluegrass music at the community level.
- They contributed to the cultural foundation that later supported Georgia’s festival circuit and music venues.
- They represent the countless regional bands whose influence far exceeded their visibility
In many ways, they are emblematic of the “lost generation” of bluegrass artists—those who carried the music forward between its origins and its revival.
Looking Ahead: Preserving the Legacy
As interest in Georgia’s bluegrass heritage continues to grow, efforts to document bands like Johnny & Gerald and the Georgia Mountain Boys are becoming increasingly important and we are constantly searching for information that helps tell the story of Bluegrass in Georgia.
Georgia Bluegrass Perspective
For organizations dedicated to preserving the state’s musical history—such as the Georgia Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame—Johnny & Gerald and the Georgia Mountain Boys represent a vital piece of the puzzle that helps illustrate the music from the North Georgia area in the late 1950’s, 1960’s and 70’s.
They were not just performers—they were tradition bearers.
And somewhere, perhaps in a forgotten box of tapes or an attic in North Georgia, their sound may still be waiting to be heard again.
Have information or recordings related to Johnny & Gerald and the Georgia Mountain Boys, please lets us know as we continue to document the music, stories and history of Bluegrass in Georgia.
Georgia Bluegrass News welcomes submissions as part of its ongoing effort to document and preserve the rich history of bluegrass music in Georgia.
- A special thanks to Darron Nichols for your contributions to this story!
