What a fine, informative thread this is. I'm not knowingly familiar with the playing of some of the players mentioned above like Steve Cooney, Dennis Cahill and Chris Newman. Can anyone recommend some favorite recordings?
Also, there used to be a player in the Miami, FL area who backed up the fiddler James Kelly who had an interesting style. It's been some 15 odd years since I saw them last but anyone remember him. I think he played an archtop? vl