>>Falling, I'm falling, I'm breathless going down, oh.

It's a chance that I have to take.

Breaking, I'm breaking... >>From the second floo of the Orlando Public Library.

Welcome to Melrose in the Mix.

Our series of liv recording sessions from here at the Melros Center.

Hi, everyone.

I'm Jim Myers.

Today's session features Oak Hill Drifters.

Since 2014, the band has consisted of vocalist Rachel Decker, guitarist George Dimitrov, bassist Craig Roy, and drummer Tom Pearce.

Embracing American roots music, rockabilly and western swing influences.

Oak Hill Drifters are a live show favorite whose critically acclaimed 2022 EP "The Iris Sessions" spent months on the Americana albums chart.

One of their guests on that release, Beth McKee, joins in on a number today.

Before the session, we had a chance to talk to the band about how they came together, their favorite shows, their influences and more.

>>Well... Meet me on the floor ‘cause I wanna rock some more.

Baby its a wild shindig The partys getting stronge so bring your chum along, yeah.

Its gonna be a wild shindig.

Dancing in the streets, yeah.

Or in between the sheets, yeah.

It's gonna be a wild shindig.

Celebrating gladly, flirtating madly, baby its a wild shindig.

Locked inside for oh so long, were ready to get out and play.

I missed my friends and where we go, I no longer want to stay.

In my house, no one around, musics burning up in me.

Curfew is lifted, no quarantine, time to meet my bad honey.

Meet me on the floor 'cause I wanna rock some more.

Baby it's a wild shindig.

The partys getting stronger so bring your chum along, yeah Its gonna be a wild shindig.

Dancing in the streets, yeah.

Or in between the sheets, yeah.

It's gonna be a wild shindig.

Celebrating gladly, flirtating madly baby its a wild shindig.

♪♪ Meet me on the floor, ‘cause I wanna rock some more.

Baby its a wild shindig.

The partys getting stronge so bring your chum along, yeah.

Its gonna be a wild shindig.

Dancing in the streets, yeah.

Or in between the sheets, yeah.

It's gonna be a wild shindig.

Celebrating gladly, flirtating madly, baby its a wild shindig.

Friends from over here and friends from over there, everyone gathers ‘round.

Twisting and shouting, laughter abounding - oh so many happy sounds.

Lovers reuniting, everythings exciting, musics burning up the scene.

Join us in the dance hall, its so good to see you all - no better company.

Meet me on the floor.

Cause I wanna rock some more.

Baby.

It's a wild shindig.

The party's getting stronge so bring your chum along, yeah.

Its gonna be a wild shindig.

Dancing in the streets, yeah.

Or in between the sheets, yeah.

It's gonna be a wild shindig.

Celebrating gladly, flirtatin madly, baby its a wild shindig.

Celebrating gladly, flirtating madly, baby its a wild shindig.

Cha-cha-cha.

>>An ad looking for, I think a rockabilly drummer.

And I'd done a bunch of rockabilly.

I'm like, I'm not a drummer, but let me see if they ever want vocals.

And eventually they got back to me, the original band.

And so I joined then.

And then I think you did.

You came-- >>No, no, I came.

Another good friend of ours, Doc Hibbard, Gary Hibbard, who's a legend in this area, he and I were out one night in Sanford, and walked in on Rachel with the iteration of the ban that she was with at the time.

>>I have a picture of that night, actually.

>>And, I was blown away with with Rachel's voice and, and, so I talk to them a little bit after the show and, and, you know, back and forth, and we finally started doing some rehearsals and, you know, that that that's wher everything started to blossom.

♪♪ >>Dont wanna give you my love.

Dont know if I should even try.

Been cut so many times before and my hearts been cast aside.

All I see is blue, all I feel is pain.

Should I forsake the only way Ive known?

All I see is blue, all I feel is pain.

Turn my back on this life that Ive composed?

Is it so easy to pretend the masquerade wont fall apart, the grand facade could never end under the weight of a lonely heart?

All I see is blue, all I feel is pain.

Should I forsake the only way Ive known?

All I see is blue, all I feel is pain.

Turn my back on this life that Ive composed?

Falling, Im falling, Im breathless going down, oh.

It's a chance that I have to take.

Breaking, Im breaking, Im desperate that you are, oh, as in love as you say you are, oh.

♪♪ One last chance to save myself.

One-way trains and wanderlust.

But your smile has overwhelmed and I choose to fall in love.

All I see is blue, all I feel is pain.

Should I forsake the only way Ive known?

All I see is blue, all I feel is pain.

Turn my back on this life that Ive composed?

Falling, Im falling, Im breathless going down, oh.

Its a chance that I have to tak Breaking, Im breaking Im desperate that you are, oh, as in love as you say you are, oh.

♪♪ [VOCALIZING] ♪♪ That's Mr. George on guitar.

This is really cool.

So playing here is, I'm really looking forward to it.

So we were fortunate enough to to play the anniversary here.

And it was just such a wonderful experience.

And, any time that I can come and be a part of a library, I'm all on board.

That was one of my first job when I was in elementary school.

Was a Page, was putting books back.

So, libraries have a special place in my heart.

And the Melrose Center is extraordinary.

All you have to do is just wal through and see all of the the, the tools that are available for people.

♪♪ Well Im a little bit rusty, honey youre so slick.

So Im trying to keep my distance but it goes against my wishes over you.

I can't really pin it down.

You know you got something.

I just wont admit it, what the jump could bring.

You caught me off guard, where did you come from?

Wanna take a leap of faith, maybe Im not done.

Well Im a little bit rusty, honey youre so slick.

So Im trying to keep my distance but it goes against my wishes over you.

I took shelter from the storm and I hid in vain.

Now youve taken my hand and I wish it would rain.

You caught me off guard, where did you come from?

Wanna take a leap of faith, maybe Im not done.

But Im a little bit rusty, honey youre so slick.

So Im trying to keep my distance but it goes against my wishes over you.

Alright now.

♪♪ Well Im doing my best to keep you at arms length.

But you keep slipping past me, it seems to be your strength.

I give up now, I throw the towel in.

Youve broken through th barriers, its a new beginning.

But Im a little bit rusty, honey youre so slick.

So Im trying to keep my distance but it goes against my wishes over you.

Yeah one more time.

♪♪ Yes Im doing my best to keep you at arms length.

But you keep slipping past me, it seems to be your strength.

I give up now, I throw the towel in.

Youve broken through th barriers, its a new beginning.

But Im a little bit rusty, honey youre so slick.

So Im trying to keep my distance but it goes against my wishes over you.

Im trying to keep my distance but it goes against my wishes over you.

Im trying to keep my distance but it goes against my wishes over... you.

>>Have a monthly, appearance we do over in New Smyrna Beach at, Casey's our good friend Casey McElroy.

Had a place there, and he's, he moved off to Ireland, and.

But we survived him for that place.

>>Yeah.

♪♪ Boy you see the warning signs you know what lies in store.

But you continue pushing on you want just a little more.

Theres a world of hurt ahead you keep going just the same.

Remember that when youre put down you made yourself fair game.

That girl is on a rampage, you wont get out alive.

If you dont duck and cove now your soul may not survive.

I know why you keep going, 'cause I keep going too.

I made myself fair game as well and its all because of you.

♪♪ Once I had a dream of you and it was so fine.

Everlasting love but it was all in my mind.

Now I stand here all alone, heart sinking like a stone.

Look at yourself youre falling just like a reckless fool.

If you dont see the chasm ahead then you deserve to.

I know why you keep going, 'cause I keep going too.

I made myself fair game as well and it's all because of you.

♪♪ That girl is on a rampage, you wont get out alive.

If you dont duck and cove now your soul may not survive.

I know why you keep going, ‘cause I keep going too.

I made myself fair game as well and its all because of you.

Once I had a dream of you and it was so fine.

Everlasting love but it was all in my mind.

Now I stand here all alone.

Heart sinking like a stone.

Look at yourself youre falling just like a reckless fool.

If you dont see the chasm ahead then you deserve to.

I know why you keep going, 'cause I keep going too.

I made myself fair game as well and it's all because of you.

I made myself fair game as well And it's all because of you.

♪♪ >>Yeah.

Festivals definitely top the line performances.

It takes you to another level of your, It really tests your performance skills and, stage readiness, and it puts the songs to the test.

Truly.

It's it's pretty awesome.

♪♪ >>Believe me, Iris, you know I would if I could, oh.

Believe me, Iris a little change might be good.

You saw something in me.

Sweetly smiled so hesitantly.

You woke a fire deep down in me.

A faraway joy within reach, oh.

♪♪ I see you, Iris, and though I wasnt born that way, oh.

I see you, Iris, and I kinda needed you today.

The world can be so cold.

So much pain and so many empty souls.

Despair carries the weight of stone.

But you lifted me up, called me home, oh.

♪♪ Forgive me, Iris, I shouldnt use you this way, oh.

Forgive me, Iris, but your colors cut through the grey.

Blazing like a quiet sun.

Infectious enthusiasm.

Did you know you had such a presence?

And I cant run, oh.

Forgive me, Iris.

Oh.

Thank you Iris.

I see you, Iris.

Oh, believe me, Iris.

I know it now I'm falling hard for you.

I know it now I'm falling hard for you.

I know it now I'm falling hard for you.

I know i now, I'm falling hard for you.

I know it now, I'm falling hard for you.

Oh, I know it now, I'm falling hard for you.

Oh, yeah.

♪♪ That's all we got.

[APPLAUSE] >>Thanks for joining us for this episode of Melrose in the Mix featuring Oak Hill Drifters.

We'll see you again soon wit another live recording session here in the Melrose Cente at the Orlando Public Library.