About the author
Mr. Jayne’s extraordinary career has centered on weaving the tapestry of Ozark character, music, and language. The career of this TV actor, musician, radio personality, author, and all-around raconteur has been centered on this colorful region since he arrived there in 1951 to teach to the less fortunate in one-room schools.
A popular musician of Missouri bluegrass and member of the musical group The Dillards, Jayne counts among his proudest achievements their multi-year stint on the Andy Griffith Show in the 1960’s, portraying Ozark culture to the nation as “The Darling Boys.” Mitch and The Dillards also had the honor of celebrating Ozark bluegrass at New York’s Carnegie Hall.
“Mitch Jayne’s extraordinary career has centered on weaving the tapestry of Ozark character, music and language – with themes of love, strife, spirituality, and redemption. He is an original – a gift to our state,” proclaims Michael Bouman, Executive Director of the Missouri Humanities Council.