From 1972 until the mid-'80s, Bill Hicks, Jim Watson and Mike Craver established themselves as Tar Heel favorites as members of the Red Clay Ramblers.  Since then, each as followed his own muse.  But the former Ramblers have joined banjoist Joe Newberry as a quartet grounded in old-time and early bluegrass music.  This year they released “You've Been a Friend to Me,” a CD featuring their gifts as interpereters of such country pioneers as the Carter Family and Georgia Yellow Hammers, as well as their own compositions.  Wednesday the four pickers will perform a set at The Rooster's Wife in Aberdeen.  The second set will feature Watson's popular Christmas concert with songs and sing-alongs from his “Christmas at the Cave” CD.