Cullen's first banjo came from a garbage pile in Washington, D.C. His uncle, a policeman there, found a banjo case in the trash, opened it and found a 4-string Bacon Tenor banjo with an old calf's skinhead. He brought it to Cullen and said, "Next year when I come back you'd better be pickin' that!" Cullen also tells this wonderful story, "When I was about 9 years old, mamma had a nervous breakdown and would run me out of the house when I practiced the banjo, so I found a stump in the woods close to the house and that's where I taught myself to play." This story was the inspiration for the front cover of the CD: Bailey poses as his 'Papaw' playing his banjo in the woods.

Cullen played the guitar, mandolin, fiddle and the bass but the banjo is still his favorite instrument; he last played in 2004. The banjo pickers he admired most were Don Reno, Earl Scruggs and especially Ralph Stanley; he took all three of their styles and created his own style. If you listen closely, you will also hear his influence on their music as well. When crafting songs, the tunes come first to him, then the chorus and then the verses to match the choruses. Recently, Cullen Galyean and the Bluegrassers, his last group which includes his son Mickey, were selected to be included into the Directory of Traditional Artists for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

Cullen won first place in the banjo competition at the 1965 Fincastle Bluegrass Festival, the very first bluegrass festival in the United States and his career was off and running. From 1969 thru 1971 Cullen played with the Stanley Brothers Band and drove the band's bus. Curley Ray Cline, the fiddler, couldn't remember Cullen's first name so he nicknamed him 'Cuddles'. Ralph would send Curley up to ride shotgun with Cullen to keep him awake. Cullen loves telling that story and adds, "Yeah…he kept me awake with his snoring!" This is just one of the many wonderful stories that Cullen tells of his years playing bluegrass! Cullen played with bands for many years, most notably Bobby Harrison and the Virginia Mountain Boys. They played all over Virginia and North Carolina, including a guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry in 1972. Cullen played with these bands over the years, in order of the first to the last: James Lindsey and the Mountain Ramblers, The Brushy Mountain Boys, The Blue Ridge Boys, Cullen Galyean, Ed Vogler and the Partners, The Border Mountain Boys, The Virginia Mountain Boys, The Foothill Boys, Christian Quartet and last with Cullen Galyean and the Bluegrassers, a group that included his son Mickey.

Participating artists had this to say about the project:

"It was an honor and a pleasure to record Cullen Galyean's songs. A little intimidating with the man in the studio listening. I wanted to keep it as close as I could to his music and get his blessing each time."
- Junior Sisk

"Growing up in North Carolina and attending Fiddlers Conventions like Union Grove and Galax, I became aware of Cullen and his music. His banjo playing, singing and songwriting really made an impression on me. So being included on this recording was a real pleasure for me."
- Terry Baucom

"Around 1980 I walked into the Galax Fiddlers Convention and heard Cullen for the first time. The feeling he played in every note made an everlasting impression on me. After following him around for countless hours I also learned he was a kind and caring person. His musical influence has been a standard for many musicians. Oh, yeah, I named my son after him!"
- Johnny Williams

"I met Cullen in the '60s when I was 12. He was one of the first bluegrass greats I could personally look up to. He still holds a special place in my heart today. It's my honor and pleasure to play on Cullen's killer record of his songs...A whole 'Gaylean Full'."
- Jimmy Haley

Cullen last performed in 2004 with the Bluegrassers and is not able to play his banjo anymore, but his classic baritone vocals are featured on several songs on this project. "Bluegrass Time", the second cut with the Bluegrassers is the last recording with Cullen on banjo and the last cut is the actual recording of Cullen on banjo. "Midnight Ramble" at the first bluegrass festival in the United States in Fincastle, Virginia in 1965. Cullen won the banjo competition with this song. Terry Baucom's version of "Bluegrass Banjo Blues" is a strong showing and if you listen closely you will hear the influence that this song had on Lester & Earl's "Nashville Skyline Rag".

Other than the artists, many people and groups have contributed to make this recording possible including Pete & Glen Kuykendall of Wynwood Music for the licenses for most of the songs; Rebel Records for allowing Junior Sisk's participation; Deering Banjos for their support and endorsement of Terry Baucom; Cindy Baucom for her encouragement and contribution of liner notes; Wesley Easter, Eastwood Studio, for dusting off his banjo and playing on "Days Of Grey And Black"; and Rich In Tradition, Mickey Galyean's regular band, for providing the base and support to bring this project together.