OLD TIME Fiddlers

Subject: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: mactheturk
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 12:24 PM

First of all, what is the definition of "old time" when it comes to fiddle music?

Second to that,who were the pioneers, so to speak?

Also, who are todays best players....????

Thanks,

Mac

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: Dave T
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 02:07 PM

I just started laying fiddle this year (I've played guitar for years though) so I don't know that much about the roots of Old Time. I've always thought of Old Time as traditional American tunes; separate from Irish, Scottish and French tunes and pre-bluegrass. There's often not much ornamentation in the songs but as with all rules there are so many exceptions...As for the pioneers, I'm not sure, but this link should help... Old Time Music Home Page Hope I got the hyperlink OK.
I don't know if there are any fiddler's who stick to real "Old Time" these days. My favourites are guys like Mark O'Connor & Sam Bush. However, you certainly couldn't peg them as Old Time.

Dave T

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: Dave T
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 02:10 PM

Sorry...that should read "playing the fiddle" not "laying the fiddle". I can only imagine the comments this one will bring.

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: Dale Rose
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 02:23 PM

The answers to your questions would fill several books, and I haven't the time at the moment! I'll just start off with a couple of listening recommendations.

Saw one of the very best last night, Ralph Blizard and his band, The New Southern Ramblers. Check out the sound samples at CDNow He's gone now, but I also highly recommend Lonnie Robertson

Here are a bunch of links to explore The very first link on the page is one of the best, but it has moved and can now be found at http://www.oldtimemusic.com/ You'll find enough there to keep you busy a while. The Old Time Fiddlers Hall of Fame would be a good place to start, I think.

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: Dale Rose
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 02:25 PM

SEE? Great minds at work. Dave's link was not there when I started on my post.

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: Dani
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 07:11 PM

The Old-Time Herald seems another good starting point. They're at:

http://www.mindspring.com/~oth/

Dani

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: Frankham
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 07:36 PM

I recommend a book called "Pickin' On Peachtree" by Wayne Daniel. The first large fiddle convention was held in Atlanta in the 1020's and was a tourist attraction for many years.

Some seminal fiddlers would be "Fiddlin'" John Carson from Fannin County GA, Eck Robertson from Texas, and Clayton McMichen from GA.

You might want to read Bill Malones book "Country Music U.S.A. These books can be found on the roster of the Illnois University Press along with Archie Green's "Only a Miner" and Norm Cohen's "Steel Rail Blues". These guys really know their stuff.

Frank

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: Sorcha
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 08:59 PM

Here CLICK is an earlier thread on this subject.

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: mactheturk
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 09:36 PM

Does anyone know much about Ed Haley or Snake Chapman??

Thanks,

Mac

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: Kristi H
Date: 11 Jun 00 - 10:05 PM

Our fiddle player, Andy, has played and studied Old Time music for 25 years. Our favorite current Old Time favorite Fiddler's are: Dave Borland and Lloyd Baldwin of the Polcats from Florida, Bruce Molsky, Willie Jones, Ed Keeney, Sharon McGinnis Hartmann, Brad Leftwitch, Ed Baggett of Red Mountain White Trash. Kristi Upsala www.geocities.com/Upsala1 www.mp3.com/upsala

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: GUEST,Arnie
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 08:49 AM

Current old time fiddle faves : Bruce Molsky, Rafe Stefanini, Bruce Green, Brad Leftwich, James Bryan are among some of the best southern style players.

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 09:28 AM

Tommy Peoples (SP)

Aly Bain (met him about 4 months ago)

Brian Rooney

Well

I like them!

Ella

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 09:29 AM

Tommy Peoples (SP)

Aly Bain (met him about 4 months ago)

Brian Rooney

Well

I like them!

Ella

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: Ella who is Sooze
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 09:41 AM

Hmmm I like them so much that I posted it twice...

Sorry all

lol

(a senior moment at 27)

Ella

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: harpgirl
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 10:00 AM

Hi Kristi and all, I love the Old timers who fiddle in Florida. The Florida Fiddlers showcase the old timers each year at the annual meeting in October which is at Crystal Lake near Keystone again this year.Upsala is always there! Willie Jones is my personal favorite. Of course Lloyd Baldwin make my heart flutter, as well!

By the way Kristi, I woke to Upsala's fine music at the Florida Folk Festival several times, since I was just beyond Vgo and Lorrie Schuman, camping that weekend. Mark and I played some dualing autoharps , as well. He won, of course! You guys were a great lullaby!!! Thanks! harpgirl aka Abby Z

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: BanjoRay
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 10:20 AM

More good old time fiddlers: Lowe Stokes, Eddon Hammons, Wilson Douglas, Henry Reed, Tommy Jarrell - all now unfortunately playing in th great old-time session in the sky.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: Sean Belt
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 03:09 PM

One of the best fiddlers in the old-time style (generally thought of as American rural playing styles before the 1940's, I think) and still living is Geoff Seitz. Besides being a heck of a nice guy Geoff's a really terrific violin maker and repairman here. His band, The Ill-Mo Boys, with Curtis Buckhannon on mandolin and Jim Nelson on guitar, is a treasure of the St. Louis area folk scene and is well respected in old-time circles throughout the country. Geoff is also an authority on the Missouri and Ozarks fiddle styles. I had the distinct pleasure of working with him on a production of "The Grapes of Wrath" here in St. Louis a number of years ago and it was one of the most pleasurable collaborations I've ever experienced in theater.

If you're looking for a good place to begin an old-time music collection, you can't go wrong with The Ill-Mo boys CD, "Laugh and Grow Fat" and Geoff's solo CD, "The Good Old Days Are Here".

- Sean

Subject: RE: OLD TIME Fiddlers
From: Dale Rose
Date: 12 Jun 00 - 04:38 PM

Ahh, Sean, how COULD I have left Geoff off my short list up toward the top of the thread? I guess it was because I was in a hurry, and I had just seen Ralph Blizard the night before, and Lonnie Robertson belongs on ANY list I might compile. Since you FORCED me into amending my list, I may as well add Benton Flippen, J. P. Fraley, Curly Miller, Bob Holt, and any number of fiddlers past and present who have made a gift of their music to the people of the Ozarks. The list goes on, but that is enough for now.

Speaking of "The Good Old Days Are Here", I heard a rumor which may be unfounded, that Geoff does not plan to repress the CD when current supplies run out ~~ so those of you who don't have one ~~ MOVE FAST!