Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Fran DeWine, Tammy Mullins, and Joe Mullins – photo © Michael George
Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers received a pair of special surprise treats at their final Ohio performance on January 9.
It was their next-to-last show period, as Joe is retiring from the road to spend more time at home with his first grandchild, Daisy. She is the daughter of his son, Daniel, who hosts a daily program on Real Roots Radio, and manages the two annual Industrial Strength Bluegrass Festivals in Xenia, OH.
January 9 was the opening show of the 2026 Marysville Winter Bluegrass Series at the Cornerstone Global Methodist Church in Marysville, OH. In attendance was Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a bluegrass fan himself, and a big supporter of Mullins and the band. Daniel tells us that the Governor has been out to the Industrial Strength festivals a number of times.
DeWine had come to announce that, by proclamation of his office, January 9, 2026 was officially declared as Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers Day! It is only the third such proclamation of the DeWine administration, which began in 2019.
An official presentation was scheduled between sets of the Friday night concert. Joe was not aware of the Governor’s appearance or the proclamation, but beforehand was surprised by an announcement from the concert promoters of a $15,000 donation to the IBMA Trust Fund in recognition of his retirement.
After Phillip Connolly of the Marysville Winter Bluegrass Series presented Mullins with a check, Joe came to the microphone to say…
“The IBMA, the International Bluegrass Music Association, was just formed 40 years ago. The Traditional Grass, that’s the band my Dad and I created when I was just out of high school, played some of the very first IBMA events in the ’80s, down in Owensboro, KY.
The founding fathers of that Association included our heroes, included Mac Wiseman, and The Osborne Brothers, and Doyle Lawson, and Allen Mills of The Lost and Found… so many of these folks. The foundation of IBMA was so that we can have a community that can look out for each other, and the IBMA Trust Fund was the first thing established. So if there’s a picker, a songwriter, a radio personality, that’s had a crisis, then we can help each other in this bluegrass community.
As a former chairman on IBMA, I’ve seen good work all over the world because bluegrass music brings people together. And now, the IBMA Trust Fund, just over the last 35 years, has helped those in the bluegrass community with over $1.1 million in financial assistance. This is what that goes to [holding up the check].
Thank you fellas.”
Governor DeWine then came forward with this proclamation, which reads:
Whereas, in 2006, Joe Mullins, regarded as a true leader in the bluegrass genre, created Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers to perform live at promotional appearances for his regional radio network in Ohio’s Miami Valley, and;
Whereas, for the past 20 years, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers have performed their “Industrial Strength Bluegrass” music worldwide while promoting the rich musical heritage of southwestern Ohio, becoming one of bluegrass music’s most prominent touring bands of the 21st century and collaborating with top bluegrass and American roots music artists, and;
Whereas, their discography includes more than a dozen albums, many of which have appeared on Billboard’s Top Selling Albums chart, and hit songs such as If I’d Have Wrote That Song, Don’t You Want To Go Home, and Some Kind of War have become staples in bluegrass and bluegrass gospel music, and;
Whereas, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers have received numerous awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), including the prestigious Entertainer of the Year Award in 2019, and;
Whereas, notably, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers have been regular guests on the Grand Ole Opry since 2013, and have performed at music festivals and venues including the historic Ryman Auditorium, the National Folk Festival, the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, and the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual awards show and music festival, and;
Whereas, Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers have focused on creating “music with a message” through the intentional inclusion of gospel, sacred, and inspirational music in their repertoire and performing for congregations of all sizes, including in prisons and penitentiaries across Ohio to provide ministry for incarcerated individuals, and;
Whereas, full-time members of Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers from 2006-2026 include Joe Mullins, Adam McIntosh, Mike Terry, Tim Kidd, Evan McGregor, Duane Sparks, Randy Barnes, Jason Barie, Jeff Parker, Chris Davis, and Zach Collier, and;
Whereas, the band’s success would not have been possible without long-time publicist Kimberly Williams; booking agent Laura Mainer; sound technician Elijah Doty; dependable bus drivers including Tommy Brown and the late Carl Ray Carpenter and Chuck Evans; record labels Rebel Records and Billy Blue Records; bus mechanic Mark Holbrook, and the support of all their wives, family, friends, and fans, and;
Whereas, as Joe Mullins retires as leader of the Radio Ramblers, he will always be known for his musical prowess, passion for music and its creators, and commitment to leading with integrity in all his endeavors;
Now, therefore, we, Mike DeWine and Jim Tressel, Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the State of Ohio, do hereby declare the 9th day of January 2026 as
Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers Day.
Holding the proclamation, he said to Mullins and the audience…
“We have these, Joe, for everyone in the band and for all of your team because this is for all of you, and we’re just very, very grateful for the great music you make, and for the great inspiration you have been to all of us.”
We all know Joe to be a humble man, but he must have been swelling with pride.
Many congratulations to Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, members past and present, and their entire organization, along with our thanks for two decades of terrific bluegrass music entertainment!
