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Subject: Wade Mainer info?? From: Steve Latimer Date: 15 Mar 03 - 05:33 PM The last issue of Banjo Newsletter had an interview with Wade Mainer. There are claims (he didn't make them, but they were supported by some prominent musicians) that he was playing Bluegrass before the "Magic Night" that Monroe walked on stage at the Opry with a band that included Earl & Lester. I have never heard Mainer, they article says that he still plays remarkably well even though he is in his ninties. Any suggested listening? |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: Nathan in Texas Date: 15 Mar 03 - 06:40 PM I heard Wade & his wife Julie last summer at Uncle Dave Macon Days in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where he was the featured performer and Heritage Award honoree. He does, indeed, play remarkably well at 95. At one point he played banjo and harmonica at the same time. His wife, who is also in her ninties, has still has a very powerful voice (think Rose Maddox.) He has several of his early recordings now on CD, but I don't know where to find them other than at his performances. He has been performing since the early thirties. Whether what he was playing then is "Bluegrass" could be debated. |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: Stewie Date: 15 Mar 03 - 07:02 PM As far as I am aware, there is little available of his Sons of the Pioneers, which included fine musicians like Homer Sherrill, Zeke Morris, Clyde Moody and others, at least not on the better-known reissue labels - perhaps a few tracks scattered across anthologies. Old Homestead - its site appears to have disappeared from the Net; has the label ceased? - has/had a couple of what it refers to as 'double play' sets, albeit they are single CDs, devoted to Wade: 'Best Sacred Songs' and 'From the Maple on the Hill'. I have the latter [OHCD 4000] which is a compilation of recordings made at a number of sessions in the early 1970s with an assortment of oldtimey and bluegrass musicians, including Red Rector. Wade was in his 70s at the time. I don't know, but I'd reckon the 'Sacred Songs' is from the same period or later. Elderly Instruments has both these available. 'Maple' is a pleasant enough compilation, but it certainly didn't inspire me to fork out for 'Sacred' as well. Maybe someone will put together a compilation of his late 30s and 40s material - now that would be worth having! --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: Stewie Date: 15 Mar 03 - 07:07 PM A correction to my above posting: he would have been in his mid-to-late 60s, not 70s. He was born in 1907. --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 15 Mar 03 - 07:42 PM I have a wonderful CD on the King label of Mainer's Mountaineers, titled, I think) Good Old Mountain Music. It's available, and well worth getting.. I'll check and see where it is... CD Universe or Amazon.com should have it.. It has a great arrangement of John Henry, and some other great tracks... Shoot The Turkey Buzzard, Working On The Building... Jerry |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 15 Mar 03 - 07:56 PM Hi, Steve: Good Ole' Mountain Music by Mainer's Mountaineers is available on CD at CD Universe at a great price. I highly recommend it. Amazon.com doesn't carry that CD, but has two others... both of which I have, but don't like as much as Good Ol'e Mountain Music. Jerry |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: GUEST Date: 15 Mar 03 - 08:45 PM Hey Jerry, I'll get that one. Thanks. Steve |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: Stewie Date: 15 Mar 03 - 09:37 PM Jerry Did any of those King sides include Wade who parted company with his brother J.E. in 1936, each having his own band? My understanding was that Wade was never a member of Mainer's Mountaineers after that time, but he did make some recordings for King. --Stewie. |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 15 Mar 03 - 10:10 PM I'll have to check out the personnel listings, Steve... have to dig out my records.. Jerry |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: Rick Fielding Date: 15 Mar 03 - 10:32 PM Wade AND the Morris Brothers always claimed they were playin' 'bluegrass' music long before Monroe (with Flatt and Scruggs). They weren't. The instrumentation was right, but the tempos were much slower and the keys much lower. Nope....for what WE call Bluegrass, you have to go to that magic night on the Opry. Besides Wade has always been a Two finger picker (a great one) and I think MOST grass nurds agree that the banjo has to be played in three finger style. Rhere's more evidence for Snuffy Jenkins band but it TOO was "old time" not bluegrass. Cheers Rick |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: Steve Latimer Date: 16 Mar 03 - 12:05 PM Rick, In the Banjo Newsletter article Wade was kind of saying that a lot of people claim that they were playing Bluegrass before Monroe with Earl & Lester. He was saying something to effect of he doesn't really know, he was just playing music. He also mentioned that he played three finger for awhile but went back to two. I'll get you a copy of the article when I see you next. There's also a really good interview with Steve Martin. Man, you talk a Banjo nerd!!! He seems to love the instrument. I don't know about it having to be three finger to be Bluegrass, I've heard some awfully good Reno & Smiley stuff that I would consider Bluegrass. |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: wilco Date: 16 Mar 03 - 05:41 PM I don't have the catalog with me now, but Old Homestead Music has several CDs, tapes, and LPs available. Also, there are a few at Ernest Tubb Records. Both have printed catalogs. Lots and lots of people were playing "bluegrass" before Bill Monroe. I'll post the CDs, addresses, etc., tomorrow. |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 16 Mar 03 - 07:15 PM I listen to Wade Mainer, not because he was a precursor of bluegrass. I just listen to it because it sounds good to me. Jerry |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: Steve Latimer Date: 16 Mar 03 - 07:41 PM I sent a message to Dick Greenhaus to see if he has Good Ole Mountain Music. He does have another title available, but I will take Jerry's recommendation if possible. Thanks guys. |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: RangerSteve Date: 17 Mar 03 - 06:26 AM There was a re-issue of Wade's 30's recordings on County, but it was an LP and is no longer in print. Wade didn't play bluegrass, but he was close. He's definately worth hearing. |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: wilco Date: 17 Mar 03 - 08:56 AM Old Homestead (810-227-1977)and Ernest Tubb Records (1-800-229-4288) lists following: Best Sacred Songs CD $15.98 Early and Great Vol.1 Cass $7.98 " " Vol. 2 Cass $7.98 From Maple on the Hill CD $15.98 Good Ole Time Mtn. Music Cass $7.98 , CD $15.98 Old Time Banjo Tunes Cass $7.98 Also, Old Homestaed lists about fifteen differetn LPs, all new, for $6.00 to $20.00. Ernest Tubb has a web site www.ETrecordshop.com. Old Homestead doesn't have a website, as far as I know. |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: chip a Date: 17 Mar 03 - 10:45 AM Wade's banjo style is a hard driving, thumb lead, two finger style the basics of which had already been around for a long time when he started picking. Wade took this style to new heights of complexity both as backup and lead. Unlike bluegrass, which was really a new style of music altogether, (a whole other discussion) Wade's style grew out of and is a continuation of the Old Time finger styles. Chip |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: Desert Dancer Date: 17 Mar 03 - 07:52 PM Also available, from June Appal, In the Land of Melody, Wade and Julia Mainer with Mel Hammon and Ronald Hammon, JA0065D, 1992. I believe I ordered my copy from Elderly, but I'm sure Camsco can get it. ~ Becky in Tucson |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 17 Mar 03 - 11:59 PM The CD I recommended, by the way, is by J.E. Mainer and His Mountaineers.. Jerry |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: harpgirl Date: 18 Mar 03 - 08:36 AM I have Volume 17, The Legendary J.E. Mainer and the "The Mountaineers" with Morris Herbert on Rural Rhythm, Sagebrush Music-BMI arranged by Uncle Jim O'Neal. Nobody's Businee Tax on a Hole in the Ground Sold down the river Shout lula If you should see your sister Kansas City Tabby let your hair hang down Bring me a leaf from the sea Cain't get you off my mind Down at the cider Mill Roll on buddy I'll hate myself tomorrow High bal gal o mine Two happy hearts Old man below Rebuilding bridges Hoop it up liza Uncle Eph Is JE, Wade's father? |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: harpgirl Date: 18 Mar 03 - 08:43 AM I also have The Legendary JE Mainer Volume 5 on Rural Rhythm with Earl Cheek on Bass, Bill Deaton on Guitar, Morris Herbert on Banjo and Jerry Cheek on washboard Man in the Woodpile I tickled Nancy Give me Back my Five Dollars Quit Kickin my dog around Rise when the rooster crows Alimony I'm a child to fight My gal rides in a wheelbarrow Great big house Down in Rockinghma Old Molly Hare My daughter wants to marry Farm relief Sugar Babe I got Mine When a man falls in love I don't reckon it will happen again Jordan am a hard road to travel Tell me how long Hard times on the farnm |
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Subject: RE: Wade Mainer info?? From: wilco Date: 18 Mar 03 - 09:04 AM J.E. was Wade's brother. J.E. died about thrity years ago. They played together back in the twentys and thirtys. I forgot why they split-up. J.E. went on to play, with the Carters. in Mexico during the depression. I think that Wade got out of the business for decades, as did J.E. I really like J.E.'s stuff. Like with so many other musicians, very little of his stuff was recorded for posterity. |
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