USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?

Subject: Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: wilco
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 09:24 AM

I live in Southeast Tennessee in USA. This is in Appalachian Mountain area. I'm very involved in traditioanl music, having started an acoustic music club four years ago, and I operate an "old-time" music store. We've had about 2500 people go through the open jams.
   My store is in Red bank, a small community near Chattanooga. There are five old-time fiddlers who live within a few blocks of my store, and none of them knew one another!!!! Two of them live less than 100 yards apart!!! They have lived here for years. The store and the jams have given them an opportunity to meet one another.
   I kind of expected this for guitar players, but I never expected to find this many fiddlers. I have four fiddle teachers in the shop (Sometimes I think I have gone to heaven!!!!)
    Why so many fiddlers?

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: Scoville
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 09:54 AM

I don't know. Could be there have always been a lot of fiddlers--Tennessee is certainly known for its music--and everybody always took them for granted.

You need something like this, but in Tennessee. I'm in Texas but learning old-time fiddle. I'm relying heavily on my Missouri pals for sources right now but I know there have been a lot of great Southeastern and Appalachian fiddlers in the past. I assume there still are. I want to hear these guys.

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 10:11 AM

So maybe that's why I don't know of any in my area, they just don't run into each other? I have yet to learn of any open jam sessions here. Lucky you to have so many, so close and a great blessing you and your store must be to all who come. Congrats!

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: Stewart
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 12:33 PM

After moving to Seattle 11 years ago I thought I'd take up the fiddle (after 45 years of not playing my violin). Much to my surprise I found that the fiddle was the second most popular instrument here (after the guitar). It is said that every neighborhood in Seattle has at least one fiddle player - there are two other fiddlers within a block from my house. A typical fiddle jam in Seattle might bring out several dozen players. And just go to the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, WA and you'd think everyone in the US plays fiddle.

"So many tunes, too little time."

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: pdq
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 12:51 PM

I would like to announce unknown fiddle player. Her name is Elana James.






OK, she was Elana Fremerman in the Hot Club of Cowtown for eight years, but she seems to want a new identity. She always had a lot of Grappelli and Venuti in her playing, but that is the direction she seems to be moving. Also more original compositions.

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: GUEST,meself
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 12:55 PM

You have what's known as a "real folk tradition". Yes, they do still exist, and a number of them involve the fiddle, and continue in various parts of North America, and no doubt other places. And, with some notable exceptions, they don't receive much attention from the popular media. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, entirely ...

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: Scoville
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 12:58 PM

Missouri is crawling with fiddlers, too, as far as I can tell. String-band music never did die out in the Midwest. There are many, many, excellent (though not famous) musicians in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, etc.

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 05:39 PM

I went to the Florida Folk Festival a few years ago, and I was amazed to see how many extraordinary young fiddlers participated in the competition there. I had no idea so many kids played traditional music so well. Is this a Southern thing, or is it nationwide?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: Stringsinger
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 05:50 PM

Fiddle camps. More fiddlers every day. It's an art that can be "each one teach one".

I struggle with it. It's not an easy instrument for me. I like the tunes.

There are millions of unknown fiddlers as well as guitar and banjo players.

This country is rich in talent.

Frank

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: wilco
Date: 27 Mar 07 - 06:01 PM

I have five fiddle teachers in my store

Steve

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 01:08 AM

pdq, Hot Club wass the guest artists at the Alaska Folk Festival several years ago and got a tremendous reception. We loved them.

Have they disbanded?

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:39 AM

They tell me Washington DC is full of fiddlers too, and not a violinist in sight.

I'll get me coat....
Don T.

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: wilco
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 02:09 PM

I have a lot of fun with the classicly trained violinist who come into my store; especially, when the fiddlers are there. The violinists are just plain lost!!!

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: Scoville
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 02:50 PM

Elana James is also on Prairie Home Companion from time to time.

I must admit I bought HCCT's Ghost Train just for their rendition of "Cherokee Shuffle". She does sound classically trained but still burns up that tune.

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: Scoville
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:26 PM

Some other good ones:

Art Stamper (Louisville, Kentucky, 1933-2005)

Fred Stoneking (son of Lee Stoneking, another good old Missouri fiddler

Rayna Gellert

Vigortone Records (Midwestern fiddle music, Illinois/Missouri)

Balfa Toujours & the Red Stick Ramblers: Cajun, both with Kevin Wimmer on fiddle.

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: Scoville
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:28 PM

Oh, and the Missouri Traditional Fiddle & Dance Network is terrific. Well, some of those musicians are Iowans, too, but that's close enough.

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: Scoville
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 03:42 PM

Also, if you dare to poke around MySpace--yes, seriously--there is a surprising amount of U.S. fiddle on there.

Subject: RE: USA - Millions of Unknown Fiddlers?
From: Zhenya
Date: 28 Mar 07 - 10:11 PM

Lots of fiddlers in NYC - I've met fellow fiddlers here who play Irish, Scottish, Cape Breton, Old-Time, Bluegrass, Scandinavian and more.

One reason for so many may simply be all those people who learned violin as children, voluntarily or not, and decades later, took up fiddle playing since the instrument was familiar. (I'm an ex flute player and now wishing I had studied violin as a child instead.)

Joe - There are lots of great young players of Irish fiddle around. A few years ago, I heard a 7 year old play as a guest at a concert and she played a set of jigs, and then one of reels, up to speed and nicely ornamented. I think she won the All-Ireland under-12 division this past year. Makes you want to quit...(not really!)