An upcoming national radio gig by local bluegrass band Lonesome County is a dream come true for the group’s founder, guitarist Chad Jeremy.

“When we formed Lonesome County in 2002, I was turned on to the ‘WoodSongs’ (web) site. ... I told our banjo player at that time, ‘man, we’re going to be on ‘WoodSongs’ some day.’ We’ve always kept trying to grab at that brass ring. It’s taken a long time to get on there,” he said.

“WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour” is a live, internationally syndicated program based in Lexington, Kentucky, and broadcast on more than 400 radio stations as well as on the web. The show isn’t carried by any radio stations in the Ann Arbor listening area, but streams live on Monday, December 14 at 7 p.m. on the webcast section of the WoodSongs web site.

“It’s pretty big,” Jeremy said of the show. “Their selection process is pretty stringent. I sent submissions every year for four years. Finally I hooked up with one of the greatest guys you’ll ever meet, David Tamulevich (of Ann Arbor’s The Roots Agency). It took David and I about a year — but they did send David an e-mail and firmed it up.”

Lonesome County plays traditional bluegrass. “That’s our specialty,” Jeremy said., The current band, together for the past eight months, consists of Jeremy (guitar), Lee Kaufman (banjo), Josh Rilko (mandolin) and Spencer Cain (bass). Jeremy said he hopes exposure from the show will drive CD sales, provide added publicity and boost the band’s exposure, which could lead to interest from a record label. Listen to Lonesome County "West Virginia Coal Miner" (MP3).

“Being that this is the strongest lineup we’ve got, and that the band kicks on all eight cylinders, right now is time for that to happen,” he said. “I know we’re ready.”

In 2006, Lonesome County proved you don’t have to be from Kentucky to play great bluegrass by winning the Renfro Valley Bluegrass Talent Contest. The band, which counts among its local shows performances at The Ark, Circus, the Ann Arbor Summer Festival and the Ann Arbor Art Fairs — released a self-titled CD in 2007.

Both Jeremy and band mate Kaufman are glad to see a resurgence in the kind of traditional bluegrass music Lonesome County plays.

“What is popular is hard-driving, in-your-face traditional bluegrass,” Jeremy said. “We’re hoping the push back toward the roots, plus us getting out there in such a large market, we’re going to have more commercial success and more widespread touring than we did before. It’s looking good.”

“(Bluegrass) has an energy level that’s hard to beat,” Kaufman, a veteran on the local music scene who often plays with local bluegrass stalwarts RFD Boys, added. “It’s one of the ultimate ensemble forms of music … everybody has to play a very specific part in creating the whole rhythm. But then, everybody also has a lot of freedom to improvise within the structure.”

The “WoodSongs” set, which runs during the second half of the show, will consist of all original material by Jeremy and Kaufman. According to Jeremy, the line-up will include “Light Blue Gingham Gown,” “Old Kentucky Home,” “Fool’s Conversation” and “Memories of a Time.”

Lonesome County will also be backing up the show’s other guest, guitarist Ronny Cox. Cox, an actor as well as a musician, is perhaps best known for his role in the 1972 movie “Deliverance,” where he played the guitar part for the tune “Dueling Banjos.”

Tamulevich, meanwhile, plays down his role in helping the band land the “WoodSongs” gig.

Although he’s not officially Lonesome County’s agent, Tamulevich said he was willing to lend a hand to help a promising act.

“It was their talent that got them their placement,” he said, adding that getting booked on the show is a major accomplishment. “It is an international program, and though they do a lot of people who do not have significant names and recording careers, it is still very, very difficult to get on it.

“It’s because I work on a fairly regular basis with (‘WoodSongs’) … I could call someone and say ‘hey this is somebody you’ve never heard of but would you take a look?’ … I just got people to pay attention,” he added.

Tamulevich, whose history on the local music scene goes back more than 30 years, said he is impressed with the band’s musical chops and professionalism.

“I think they’re all really great players. I think a lot it is the focus of Chad, his voice and the energy. There are a lot of great musicians out there; it’s what else you can bring. Do you have personality? Is there an extra spark that is unique? I think the focus that Lonesome County has — and Chad himself — forms an energy that’s exciting. They have brought it all together to where it’s getting noticed, there’s something special there,” Tamulevich said.

PREVIEW Who: Lonesome County. What: Local bluegrass band travels to Kentucky for an appearance on the program “WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour.” When: Monday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m. Details: The show does not air on the radio in this area, but it will stream live at 7 p.m. in the webcast section of the WoodSongs web site. Each show is also archived online for listening in various media formats. Band members: Chad Jeremy (guitar), Lee Kaufman (banjo), Josh Rilko (mandolin), Spencer Cain (bass). Local gigs: None are scheduled, but keep an eye on the Lonesome County web site for updates. Also: Lonesome County shares the show with guitarist/actor Ronny Cox, who played guitar in the famous “Dueling Banjos” scene from the 1972 movie “Deliverance.”

Roger LeLievre is a free-lance writer who covers music for AnnArbor.com.