The McLain Family Band - Brightest and Best

[njzermeno]

Such wonderful memories of my happy childhood are evoked by the beautiful sounds of the McLain Family Band. You were my favorite performers at the Festival of the Bluegrass in Lexington, KY and every other venue where we saw you perform. We even went to see you play with the Houston Pops Orchestra. Thank you for all of the wonderful music that I still remember after all of these years. My cousin Julie Aiken and I still occasionally sing Bubble Gum Baby when we want to make our family laugh!

[gormley14413]

This is just wonderful. I love this version of the song.

[Mamasan41]

THANK YOU!!!!!

[georgepickow]

Well, you have found it- this IS the Ritchie Family version of, "Brightest and Best." The McLains are lifelong friends, and learned the song from us in our singing sessions together over the years. When folks ask me, "What is your favorite song?" I think immediately of, "Brightest and Best."

[Brough1111]

Wow I guess I've been missing out, I saw them on PBS earlier today.

[mwomack32]

What a treat to hear you folks once again!! I came upon your YouTube performances quite by accident this evening. I was searching for more info on the von Trapp children and somehow got sort of sidetracked! (Don't ask me how).

My family attended several of your Berea Bluegrass festivals; in fact we even had a crystal booth at a couple of them and in another year (or lifetime)drove to Midland, TX to see you perform.

Love you guys still......Marilyn Womack

[byrdsmaniac]

Thank you for posting this.

[georgepickow]

Dear Ruth and Friend, Brightest and Best was so beautifully sung! I enjoyed all the McLain's videos- have you seen ours? George Pickow's site. Do you have a personal email address? I'd like to write if I may? Love to all, Jean Ritchie

[EPRVa62]

I was actually looking for the Jean Ritchie version, which I have on the Christmas CD, when I came across this. Awesome!