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Knoxville Old Time It's Always Time For Old Time Tune History Going Back To Israel A "Modern" Old Time Tune From June Drucker and Boyne Water Two English Kings Fight - We Get A Fiddle Tune plus a profile of South Central Kentucky Fiddler Clyde Davenport Calendar Knoxville Jams, Shows & Events, Festival Info, and More Tune History The Stories Behind Your Favorite Tunes Music Exploring Old Time Artists & Recordings Resources Websites, Videos, and Helpful Information Contact/More Editor's Monthly Ramblings, Newsletter Signup, Contact Form, Archives Knoxville Old Time is the gathering place for everyone who loves Old Time music Sign up for our monthly newsletter

Monthly Jam Schedule These are the regular Old Time jams in the Knoxville area. Please visit them all! Boyd's Jig & Reel Every Tuesday​ 6:30PM- 8:30PM​ 101 S. Central St Knoxville, TN Old Time jam with Sarah Pirkle at Knoxville's only authentic Scottish Pub. Metered street parking free after 6PM. Free public parking lots on E. Jackson Avenue under the James White Expressway bridge. (3 minute walk) ​ Event Calendar For Boyd's Jig & Reel Crafty Bastard Brewery at Baker Creek 1st and 3rd Sundays at 3PM Join us October 20th 3726 Sevier Heights Rd Knoxville, TN Cold brews and hot fiddle tunes at Crafty's newest location in South Knoxville. Held in their outdoor patio area, weather permitting. Upstairs inside the brewery if not. Plenty of free parking, and 71 South restaurant is next door. Crafty Bastard At B aker Creek Events/Facebook Page Laurel Theater 2nd Thursday of the month Join us October 10th 7:00PM-9:00PM 1538 Laurel Ave Knoxville, TN Join us at the Laurel Theater, a historic venue dedicated to the preservation and advancement of traditional music and art forms of the Southern Appalachians. This jam is a good mix of fiddle tunes and songs. The attached parking lot holds about 20 cars. Street parking is free, but can be a challenge when UT classes are in session.​ Ticket link and info for all Laurel Theater shows Laurel Theater Sept-Oct calendar.pdf Boyd's Jam Info Crafty Jam Info Laurel Jam Info Upcoming Events Upcoming Events Happenings with an Old Time connection This page is updated as information becomes available Please consult the website links or venue to confirm events Event details may be submitted to knoxvilleoldtime@gmail.com Please email us about broken web links! Laurel Theater Mama's Broke plus Allison DeGroot & TatianaHargreaves Oct. 18, 2024 8 PM Barley's Knoxville The Tillers with The Montvales ​ ​ ​ Oct. 23, 2024 8 PM Museum Of Appalachia ​ ​ Fall Heritage Days Oct. 24,25,31 & Nov. 1 ​ *Oct. 25 & Nov. 1 SOLD OUT* Tickets/info for all Laurel Theater shows Event Calendar For Barley's Knoxville Laurel Theater Kentucky Wild Horse ​ Oct. 26, 2024 8 PM Laurel Theater Caleb Klauder & Reeb Willms ​ Nov. 8, 2024 8 PM Bijou Theater Tennessee Shines Andrew Marlin Stringband Rachel Baiman Robinella Nov. 13, 2024 8PM Monthly Events Laurel Theater Knoxville Contra Dance Live Old Time Music - Skilled Callers 7:30 PM - Tickets at the door Every Monday Beginners & Toe Tappers Welcome! Knoxville Contra Dance Facebook Page Big Ridge State Park Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Country Jam Session Every third Thursday 6:30 PM at the rec hall or outside, weather permitting ​ More Info: Park Ranger Ethan Sane Phone: 865-863-0790 Email: ethan.sane@tn.gov Rocky Branch Mountain Music Friday nig hts 6PM -? Friday night jams are held at the community center (the old Rocky Branch School) in Walland. Musicians gather in different "rooms", including bluegrass, old-time gospel, country, Appalachian, and mountain music. Laurel Theater The Laurel Square Dance Every 4th Thursday Live Old Time Music - Skilled Callers Tickets at the door Oct. 25 7 PM Beginners welcome! No partner needed. Laurel Theater Laurel Folk School October Classes 20th - Beg/Int Fiddle w/ Sarah Pirkle 26th - Kentucky Fiddle/Banjo Tunes w/John Harrod and Blakeley Burger Festival Info Festival Information Nearby Fiddlers Conventions and Old Tim e Music Festivals Festivals with competitions must have dedicated Old Time categories to be listed February - March Breakin' Up Winter March 7-9, 2025 YouTube Shorts video from the 2024 event ​ Tommy Jarrell Celebration March 1-2, 2025 Concerts, Workshops and Competition Mt. Airy, NC ​ news article from the 2024 event Flag Pond April - May Flag Pond April 26-27, 2024 6th annual Upper East Tennessee Fiddlers Convention Old Flag Pond School Flag Pond, TN Facebook page 2024 Contest Results ​ Promo video with Roy Andrade & Kalia Yeagle June - July June-July Festivals Mount Airy June 6-7, 2025 52nd annual Bluegrass and Old Time Fiddlers Convention Veterans Memorial Park 691 W. Lebanon Street Mount Airy, NC 27030 2024 Contest Results Congrats to Knoxville's Cody Bauer, 4th place Adult BG Fiddle​ ​ Mt. Airy Fiddlers Convention Community Facebook Page Henry Reed Memorial Fiddlers Convention June 14-15, 2025 ​ Kairos Wilderness Resort Glen Lyn, VA Abingdon Fiddlers' Convention June 21-23, 2024 3rd annual event Washington County Fairgrounds Abingdon, Virginia Facebook Page 2024 Contest Results Congrats to Knoxville's Cody Bauer, 1st place Adult OT Fiddle, and 2nd place Adult BG Fiddle Grayson County Old Time & Bluegrass Fiddlers' Convention June 28-29, 2024 Elk Creek, Virginia 2024 Contest Results Smithville Fiddlers' Jamboree July 4-5, 2025 5 3rd annual Jamboree Smithville, Tennessee ​ 2024 Contests Results The Swannanoa Gathering Old Time Week July 20-26 , 2025 Sw annanoa, NC August - September Clifftop July 31-August 4, 2024 pre-camping July 26-30 Appalachian String Band Music Festival 1277 Washington Carver Road Clifftop, WV 25831 2024 contest results not on website (?) Video: 2024 Trad Band Finals Congrats to Knoxville's Blue Ridge Gathering , winners of the 2024 Neo-Traditional Band contest, and to band member Jessica Watson for best new tune. Galax August 5-10, 2024 88th annual Old Fiddlers' Convention ​ Felts Park 601 S. Main St, Galax, VA ​ 2024 Contest Results ​ Congrats to Knoxville's Cody Bauer-3rd place OT Fiddle

Music Exploring Old Time Recordings and Artists < Back To List Jess Young Chattanooga Fiddler Jess Young (1883-1938) was a well known fiddler from Whitwell, TN, just northwest of Chattanooga. A former miner, he was a champion contest fiddler back in the mid 1920’s when it was not unusual for hundreds of musicians to compete in regional contests that were attended by audiences in the thousands. And a typical $50 first prize would, in today’s value, be worth almost $1000. He formed an Old-time string band trio with his nephew Arthur Young on guitar, and Homer Davenport on banjo. They recorded eight sides for Gennett Records in April 1925 as Homer Davenport and Young Brothers , only five of which were ever issued. Later, Davenport got injured and C.C. Thomas took his place on banjo. The band recorded fourteen sides for Columbia between 1927 and 1929 as Jess Young’s Tennessee Band , with a Columbia singer Dan Hornsby providing vocals. Their best known release was a waltz called “Sweet Bunch Of Daisies” with "Fiddle Up", a take on an Irving Berlin tune, as a close second. They didn't record after the Columbia sessions, but did play regular stage shows and dances around Chattanooga from 1924 until December 31, 1938, when Jess Young died. Other band names associated with Jess Young are the Young Brothers Tennessee Band and The Three Howard Boys. Joe DeCosimo , who has studied and written about Jess Young, shared this article he wrote for the Old Time Herald magazine in 2006 about Clint Kilgore, a Chattanooga area fiddler who grew up playing alongside Jess Young, who shared some memories of that time. Learn more about Jess Young and his tune, "Hy Patillion" in the Tune History section. Jess Young Columbia 15400-D Sweet Bunch of Daisies Gennett 5919-A Hy Patillion Jess Young 1/5 youtube.com Jess Young's Tennessee Band - Sweet Bunch of Daises Jess Young, f.; prob. Alvin Young, g.; Dan Hornsby, v.Columbia 15400-DRecorded in Atlanta, Georgia on April 19, 1929*Historical recording for education Jess Young's Tennessee Band Sweet Bunch Of Daisies Fiddle Up Jess Young 00:00 / 02:53

Music Exploring Old Time Recordings and Artists < Back To List Roane County Ramblers Fiddler "Uncle Jimmy" McCarroll Roane County, TN was home to a popular string band known as Roane County Ramblers . The Ramblers recorded for Columbia Records in 1928 and 1929. Fiddler James "Jimmy" McCarroll (1892-1985) had a reputation as one of the finest fiddlers in East Tennessee. He was supported by Luke (Luther Claude) Brandon on guitar, (William) Howard Wyatt on banjo, and John Kelley on mandolin. In 1929, Arnim LeRoy "Curly" Fox , who went on to become a nationally renowned fiddler, joined as a second guitarist. The band first recorded in Johnson City, TN for Columbia Records in 1928. You can see the original newspaper ad for musicians in the photo slider below. In 1929, additional recordings for a total of 14 sides were made by the Ramblers in Johnson City and Atlanta. Those recordings are part of The Johnson City Sessions , which have been documented as a major influence in bringing local musicians to a national audience eager for “Hillbilly” music. These historic session recordings are available on Bear Family Records . The Ramblers' “Lee Highway Blues” (aka "Home Town Blues"), named for an American Auto Trail that runs through Knoxville, and “Southern No. 111,” about the train that ran near the Ramblers' home, proved to be very popular. The band was known for their energetic stage performances, and enjoyed their time in the spotlight until 1930, when their association with Columbia Records ended. “Uncle Jimmy” McCarroll (and other McCarroll family members) continued to play locally. In the 1970’s and early 80’s folk revivalists and record collectors rediscovered the Ramblers' music and McCarroll’s unique fiddling style, and were influential in the passing of his legacy to today’s players. The band’s complete recordings are available on the County Sales label as “Roane County Ramblers Complete Recordings 1928-1929.” For those interested in more on the McCarroll family, fiddler Joseph DeCosimo explored the McCarroll family for his Master’s thesis ( .pdf file ) at UNC Chapel Hill. In addition, you can visit the tune history page for some appreciation of another popular Ramblers tune, "Green River March." Roane County Ramblers Roane County Ramblers Complete Recordings 1928-1929 Album Cover Album Cover The Johnson City Sessions newspaper ad 1928 Roane County Ramblers 1/6 Roane County Ramblers Hometown Blues aka Lee Highway Blues Roane County Ramblers Johnson City Rag Roane County Ramblers Southern No. 111 McCarroll's Breakdown The Roane County Ramblers 00:00 / 02:55

Music Exploring Old Time Recordings and Artists < Back To List Canote Brothers West Coast duo (with a Knoxville connection) Jere and Greg Canote are identical twins from Seattle, Washington who perform as the Canote Brothers. They are known nationally through their touring and teaching at music camps and festivals across the country. The brothers have played an important role in the old-time music scene on the West Coast through a string band class they have been teaching for several decades. Jere and Greg have published an extensive list of tab and sound files from these classes. Jere has additionally published a guitar tab book of their tunes, and is known for building custom banjos . The brothers also performed in a popular radio variety show for nearly 15 years called Sandy Bradley’s Potluck , which earned the nickname “Seattle’s Prairie Home Companion”. The Canote’s repertoire includes original compositions, obscure fiddle tunes, early country songs, quirky novelty numbers, children’s songs, and swing classics. Their shows are “delightfully unpredictable,” filled with jokes and stories as well as good music. The brothers are known for their infectious, positive energy, and for humorously capitalizing on their relationship as identical twins. Here is a link to 21 Canote Brothers videos that showcase their unique style. The Canotes perform lots of Old Time fiddle tunes, saying, “We love the beautiful old fiddle tunes and the hypnotic ‘in the moment’ experience of playing this American Old Time music.” Several of their original tunes have become popular with Old Time musicians, including “Sadie At The Back Door," and “Obama’s March To The White House.” A documentary film entitled “The Canote Twins” has been made that chronicles their “...journey from infancy to festival favorites”. This film, along with a dozen short features, is now available for free home streaming . The Canote Brothers left their mark on the Knoxville area Old Time music scene in an important way. Knoxville fiddler Ken Bronson met the Canotes at Mt. Airy in the late 70’s, and when they were touring the South in the early 80’s, the Canotes often used Ken’s big farmhouse as their base. ( The brothers were also known as “The Clone Tones” at that time - which is now the name of their record company.) When the Canote's touring ended, they returned to the West Coast, leaving Ken two cassette tapes that contained dozens of tunes which they had gathered during their travels. This was a pre-internet treasure trove, and these tapes were shared extensively among Knoxville players. Ken said, "I gave a copy to everyone I knew!" Due to years of playing them at Festivals, several tunes from these tapes eventually became known as “Knoxville tunes” (or “Mumbilly versions”) , such as Rat Cheer , and the "extra chord" versions of Big Sciota and Booth Shot Lincoln. The Canote connection also explains why you may hear uncommon tunes such as Willits Or Won’t Its , Numero Once, Numero Doce , and Throw The Old Cow Over The Fence in Knoxville jam circles even today. Canote Brothers Greg (l) Jere (r) The Canote Twins taken from upcoming documentary film promo Down In North Carolina album cover (2016) Canote Brothers Greg (l) Jere (r) 1/13 Full Canote Brothers Show From the 56th annual Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest The Canote Brothers "Obama's March To The White House" Greg Canote (2009) The Canote Brothers "Sadie At The Back Door" By Jere Canote, Originally on “Concert Collection II” (1999) by Sandy Bradley & the Small Wonder String Band (Sadie was a cat) Walkin' Back To Texas The Canote Brothers 00:00 / 02:59

Tune History The Stories Behind Your Favorite Tunes < Back To List Altamont The John Lusk Band from Warren County, Tennessee Altamont is from the playing of the African-American string band The John Lusk Band . It was first recorded in 1946. John Lusk was from Warren County, Tennessee, near McMinnville, and the band and their recordings have been well documented, as can be seen in this presentation by the Tennessee Folklore Society. The tune takes its name from Altamont, a town in Grundy County, Tennessee, close to McMinnville. David Bragger plays this tune in the key of C, and that is also the key of the original recording (below), as are most jam/festival versions. It appears that there are a couple of different versions of this tune, depending on who contributed the recording. The Rounder CD 0238 Altamont: Black Stringband Music from the Library of Congress version of Altamont appears to be in the key of A. Whatever key you choose to play it in, it's a great tune. See more about David Bragger and his album, Big Fancy, in the Music Section . Altamont, Tennessee Library of Congress card for Eighth Of January Albert York death certificate Altamont, Tennessee 1/6 David Bragger - Altamont Eighth Of January Murph Gribble, Albert York, John Lusk Old Sage Friend (1946) Altamont Lusk, Gribble, York 00:00 / 04:21

Tune History The Stories Behind Your Favorite Tunes < Back To List New Five Cents Buffalo Nickel, Ruffled Drawers, etc. New Five Cents. This fiddle tune is a jam standard, but do you know the history? After reading this, it will all be crystal clear. On second thought... no it won't. Also known as "Five Cents," "New Five Cent Piece," and "Brand New Five Cents", this tune is also known as "Buffalo Nickel.” in the Midwest. It is also known as "Ruffled Drawers," not to be confused with “Ruffled Britches.” What are drawers? Editor's note: I thought you would never ask. ​ Several sources attempt to tie the tune, or at least the title, to the issuance of the 1913 “Buffalo” or “Indian Head” nickel , but there is not much agreement on that matter. As expected, some researchers date the tune to around 1913, although the melody is thought to be be older. Slippery Hill says “New Five Cents” is from the playing of Kentucky fiddler Isham Monday , but that is a different tune. The earliest recording of the tune appears to be by Paul Warmack and his Gully Jumpers , from White’s Creek, TN, who recorded it in 1928 as "New Five Cents” . The Kentucky group Walker's Corbin Ramblers recorded a version of the tune as "Ruffles and Bustles" in 1934. Texas fiddler Eck Robertson recorded "New Five Cent Piece", although he reportedly called the tune “Chadwick”. New Five Cents is also closely related to (virtually the same as) "Robinson County" that has its own interesting history and name variations. 1913 Buffalo Nickel Vocalion 02667-B Ruffles and Bustles Not the fiddle tune 1913 Buffalo Nickel 1/4 Eck Robertson New Five Cent Piece Walker's Corbin Ramblers Ruffles and Bustles Robinson County Tricia Spencer Ruffled Drawers The Bucking Mules 00:00 / 02:10

Tune History The Stories Behind Your Favorite Tunes < Back To List Shove The Pig’s Foot A Little Further In The Fire A Crafty Tactic To Conceal Porcine Pilferage? Shove/Push That Pig’s/Hog’s Foot A Little Closer To/Farther In/Further Into/The Fire/Bed/Under The/ Bed/Cover Is this fiddle tune based on an old tale about stealing a pig? Is it about a tool? Is it about cooking? How is a bed involved? As in many old tunes, the history is pretty murky, but here are some possibilities for this Old Time staple, usually played in the key of G: 1. A pig’s foot is another name for a fire poker or smithing tool. Sorry, but despite what we have all been told over the years, multiple blacksmithing sources and lack of a companion fiddle tune put this theory in last place. 2. A pig’s foot describes a particular kind of crowbar. There are lots of references to a pig’s foot in crowbar world because of what the tip looks like. In fact, a railroad spike extraction tool is commonly called a pig’s foot . Depending on the tip shape, many other crowbar animal descriptions abound - starting with Crowbar itself, there's also Cat’s Claw, Crow Foot, Gooseneck, etc. The Italian term for crowbar is “un piede di porco” (a pig's foot) and in Portuguese, it is a "pé-de-cabra" (a goat's foot). Sounds like we are on the right track, but what is missing? None of these implements have anything to do with a fire, a bed, or, more importantly, a fiddle tune. 3. Pig’s foot refers to an actual pig’s foot. Pig’s feet are commonly eaten and need to be cooked, so now we have a strong premise that combines the foot and the fire. There are even some old song lyrics via Joel Shimberg via Mike Seeger that say “ Shove that pig’s foot into the fire, do it now Miss Liza”. Now we have a lyrics, and a fire to put the pig's foot closer to, or further in, etc. 4. The title of the tune has a specific origin, but changed over time. Old Time Party presents this possibility: This song derives from an old slave folktale which later became a chant and finally a tune. The story goes like this. A slave had just stolen from his master’s larder a shoat (in other variants just its haunch) and had hidden the meat beneath his bed sheets (again in other variants it was hidden under the bed itself). The slave was in his cabin telling his wife of his prize when the master, along with a friend, appeared in the door of the slave’s cabin, requesting that the slave demonstrate his fine skill on the fiddle. Aware that the pig’s foot was exposed and its discovery, which appeared imminent, would cost him a whipping or worse, the slave quickly took down his fiddle and began to play and sing: Shove that pig’s foot further in the bed Further in the bed Further in the bed Shove that pig’s foot further in the bed Katie, Katie, Katie, can’t you hear me now The master and his friend watched the performance with glee while his wife Katie heard the message (hidden in plain sight) and covertly slid the pig’s leg beneath the bedsheets. At the end of the song the master exclaimed, “well, there’s a song I’ve never heard before!” and he and his friend gave the fiddler a short round of applause before making their exit. Not that Old Time Party was trying to be a scholarly research journal, but there is no documentation listed to support this story and the link for the cited source does not exist any longer. But all is not lost - The title “Push The Hog's Feet Under The Bed” is referenced in the book Negro Folk Rhymes Wise and Otherwise (collected in the early 1900’s -published in 1922) by Tennessee author Thomas Washington Talley. Unfortunately there are no other details, but it does lend a degree of support to the slave story origin. Over time, the “under the bed/covers” morphed to “closer to/further in the fire”. We do not know why but, as you know, words are changed in folk music all the time. Western North Carolina fiddler Marcus Martin is often cited as the source for the "...Closer To The Fire” title and the melody commonly played today. He said he learned it from his father, Rowan, who learned the tune while employed as a logger and rail worker. Rowan would have had to gotten it prior to the early 1880’s in order to pass it on to Marcus, who was born in 1881. A Marcus Martin version, credited to "Traditional" appeared on the “Cold Mountain” (2003) movie soundtrack, but was renamed “Ruby with the Eyes that Sparkle.” ed. - Maybe Ruby was someone's very special pig. John Hartford does a version called “Shove That Hog’s Foot Further In The Bed '' which he got from West Virginia fiddler Ed Haley (1885- 1951). On the “In Search Of Ed Haley” site, Lynn Davis , friend and Haley biographer says, “Well, I know about the hog’s foot thing. He said they went someplace to play and they didn’t have anything to eat and those boys went out and stole a hog and said they brought it in and butchered it and heard somebody coming. It was the law. They run in and put that hog in the bed and covered it up like it was somebody sleeping. And Ed was sitting there fiddling and somebody whispered to him, said, ‘Ed, that hog’s foot’s stickin’ out from under the cover there.’ So he started fiddling and singing, ‘Shove that hog’s foot further under the cover…’ He made it up as he went.” As you see, the Haley story line is remarkably similar to the slave folk tale, and his lyrics are the same ones reported by Old Time Party. Draw your own conclusions. The Haley melody is not the same as Marcus Martin's, is fairly notey, and in A modal tuning. There are no known recordings of Haley playing the tune, but we will assume that Hartford, who studied Haley extensively, plays it like the original. We will likely never know the exact origin of this tune, and that's OK. It's much more important to play it with friends and have a good time! Pig's Feet Close To The Fire Pig, With Feet, Under The Bed Pickled Pig's Feet supposedly very tasty Pig's Feet Close To The Fire 1/8 Shove The Pig's Foot a Little Further In The Fire" Marcus Martin "Shove That Pig's Foot a Little Farther Into the Fire" Fiddle Tune Forensics with Hayes Griffin “Shove That Hog’s Foot Further In The Bed '' John Hartford Ruby With The Eyes That Sparkle Stuart Duncan & Dirk Powell 00:00 / 03:24

Music Exploring Old Time Recordings and Artists < Back To List Tennessee Chocolate Drops Knox County Stomp Tennessee Chocolate Drops consisted of brothers Howard & Roland Armstrong, and Carl Martin. They recorded two tunes, "Knox County Stomp" and "Vine Street Rag" (also listed as Vine Street Drag), named for the street in Knoxville where the band often played, during the now famous Knoxville Sessions (1929-1930), produced by Vocalion Records, at the St. James Hotel . The Bear Family CD set from this event is appropriately titled “Knox County Stomp”. Vocalion was one of several record companies trying to capitalize on the new and developing market for the popular category of "country" music. Their approach was to record music on location in strategically chosen Southern cities, rather than to recruit artists to go to their studios in New York City. Knoxville, Bristol , and Johnson City were among the towns chosen for sessions, which captured what are now seen as legendary performances. Let writer/historian Jack Neely take you back to the 1929-30 music scene in Knoxville in this excellent 2016 article . Vocalion, at the time, primarily made “race records,” featuring Black artists and marketed to the Black community. It is interesting to note that Vocalion released the Chocolate Drops recordings twice- once under the band name "Tennessee Trio" for their old time series, and again as "Tennessee Chocolate Drops" for their race records . Vocalion was acquired by Brunswick (not a coincidence: they made phonographs) in 1930, and by 1936-37 became the go-to label for smaller blues, swing, and country bands. Howard Armstrong, who grew up in Campbell County - LaFollette, TN , continued to perform with Carl Martin and Ted Bogan as "Martin, Bogan, & Armstrong", mostly in the Chicago area, performing at the World's Fair in 1933 and continuing until the start of WW II. The trio reunited in the early 1970s, and enjoying the folk music revival, released two records. Armstrong and Bogan also appeared at the World's Fair in Knoxville in 1992 . Howard Armstrong, an accomplished visual artist who mastered 7 foreign languages and 22 musical instruments, released his debut solo album, Louie Bluie , in 1995. There are also two documentary films about his life, Louie Bluie , and Sweet Old Song . He died at the age of 94 in 2003. The Louie Bluie Music & Arts Festival is a continuing tribute to Howard Armstrong, and their website has a great bio page . The Tennessee Historical Society also produced a video entitled "Howard “Louie Bluie” Armstrong and the Black String Band Tradition" as part of their History of Tennessee music project. Armstrong Family String Band circa 1920's Howard Armstrong at WJBK Detroit circa 1950's Document Records DOCD-5229 Carl Martin / Willie ’61’ Blackwell – Complete Recorded Works (1930-1941) Armstrong Family String Band circa 1920's 1/8 Knox County Stomp 1930 Vine Street Drag/Rag with photos of 1930's Knoxville Knox County Stomp Dom Flemons 00:00 / 02:06

Music Exploring Old Time Recordings and Artists < Back To List Mike Bryant and Paul Brown Bryant and Brown (2018) Bryant and Brown is an album of 15 Old Time tunes, released through the Tiki Parlour label in 2018. Mike told me that around that time, he and Paul were playing, teaching at workshops and festivals, and had even embarked on a tour in Australia (Mike remembers "lots of driving!"). They had been talking about making some recordings, and had even scheduled some studio time at one point, but seemed to never find the right time to actually sit down and do it. The right time came one day when Paul reminded Mike that "...we're not getting any younger..." The recording was done at Joe "Joebass" DeJarnette's Studio 808A in Virginia. However, it was only after the recordings were made that the Tiki Parlour connection occurred. Mike met David Bragger at the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention, and Tiki Parlour offered to take on the production and release. Mike also said he did some additional recording while at Tiki Parlour, but he's not sure where those files ended up. Hopefully, we'll be able to hear those one day! The CD comes complete with extensive liner notes that describe the origin of the tunes, along with the tunings used for both the fiddle and banjo. ​ The New Dixie Entertainers Before the self-titled release, you may remember Mike with The New Dixie Entertainers, who put out a cassette called "Maybelle Rag" in 1994. That tape is now as rare as hen's teeth. Enjoy the videos made in 1991 at Mt. Airy, and in 2019 when the band reunited for the 50th Jubilee Festival at Knoxville's historic Laurel Theater. The New Dixie Entertainers won the Traditional Band contest at Clifftop three times. Mike is a multi-year Clifftop fiddle champion, including first place honors in 2007. Paul Brown, Terri McMurray, Mike Bryant, Marcia Bryant Mike Bryant New Dixie Entertainers Maybelle Rag cassette cover Paul Brown, Terri McMurray, Mike Bryant, Marcia Bryant 1/4 Old Aunt Jenny With Her Nightcap On Mike Bryant and the New Dixie Entertainers Mt. Airy 1991 The New Dixie Entertainers At The Laurel Theater 50th Jubilee Festival Roscoe Bryant and Brown 00:00 / 02:52

Music Exploring Old Time Recordings and Artists < Back To List Uncle Am Stuart Pioneering Fiddler From Morristown, TN Ambrose Gaines "Uncle Am" Stuart (1851-53?–1926) was born in Hamblen County near Morristown, Tennessee. He picked up the fiddle at an early age, entertaining and learning tunes from the Civil War soldiers who passed through the area. Morristown’s strategic location and intersecting rail lines made it a site of several battles, most notably “The Battle Of Morristown” also known locally as “Vaughn’s Stampede,” a decisive Union victory on October 28, 1864. As an adult, Stuart made a living by working as a safe and vault salesman for the Mosler Safe Company. He supplemented his income by fiddling, and was also a member of Frank Murphy’s orchestra in Knoxville. His vast song repertoire included Civil War era songs and mountain tunes from Eastern Tennessee and the surrounding Appalachian areas. His reputation as a formidable competitor in numerous fiddle contests across the Southern Appalachian region helped Stuart to become a very well known regional musician. In 1924, Vocalion Records invited several Southern Appalachian musicians to New York City to record, among them “Uncle Am” Stuart (now in his 70s) , Uncle Dave Macon from Smartt Station, TN, and Dandridge/Knoxville, TN musician George Reneau (who also performed on several of Stuart’s records) . Vocalion and other labels were acting on the popularity of the newly minted category of "Country” music and the 1923 record sales success of Fiddlin’ John Carson . The 14 sides Stuart recorded in July, 1924 included the first known recordings of “Cumberland Gap” and "Forki Deer." Also included were early renditions of the popular fiddle tunes "Grey Eagle" and "Old Granny Rattletrap,” and Stuart’s versions of "Sallie Gooden" and "Old Liza Jane.” All 14 recordings from this single day session were released by Vocalion , and sold well. In 1925, Stuart attended the Fiddlers' Convention in Mountain City, Tennessee , where he competed in the now-legendary meeting of fellow fiddlers such as Charlie Bowman, G. B. Grayson, Dudley Vance, and Fiddlin' John Carson - all of whom were, or soon would be, enjoying success as pioneering “Country” music recording artists. In late 1925 or early 1926, Stuart signed a contract to appear with the Swarthmore Chautauqua , a well known Pennsylvania based traveling tent show. He had also just been awarded first place at a contest in Washington, DC that featured 26 of the best old-time fiddlers in the country. Unfortunately, according to a March 19, 1926 article in the Knoxville newspaper, “Uncle Am” came down with pneumonia after returning from that contest, and died at his son's home in Morristown at what could be considered the height of his commercial career. A newspaper clipping tells of crowds gathering at the Morristown Baptist Church to show their appreciation for “Uncle Am”. A floral arrangement honoring this popular native East Tennessee fiddler reportedly consisted of a huge basket of flowers that surrounded a decorated fiddle - and a broken bow. Ambrose Gaines Stuart "Uncle Am" Vocalion Red Records artist promo August 15, 1924 Bear Family Album Ambrose Gaines Stuart "Uncle Am" 1/10 "George Boker" (George Booker) Uncle Am Stuart 1924 "Forki Deer" Uncle Am Stuart 1924 Gene Austin on tenor banjo "Billie In The Low Ground" Uncle Am Stuart 1924 Old Liza Jane Uncle Am Stuart 00:00 / 02:56

Tune History The Stories Behind Your Favorite Tunes < Back To List Bonaparte Crossing The Rhine The Most Played Old Time Tune Ever? Napoleon Bonaparte (1768-1821) was/is a very famous guy - in fact, there is even a new movie about him, released November 22, 2023 . The one time ruler of almost all of Europe has become imbedded in our culture and here are some quotes attributed to Napoleon that you can throw out at your next opportunity. Real estate deals were not his strong point, as he sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States in 1803 for $15 million, or about $340 million in today’s money - the same amount as the asking price of this really nice house currently for sale in Bel Air, California. One of the best known "Bony" tunes in Old Time circles is Bonaparte Crossing The Rhine. It is so common that it is usually referred to as just "Bonaparte". It is played so often that it now generates parody titles, such as “Bonaparte Crossing The Street” and “Bonaparte Mowing The Lawn”. Still, you are expected to know this tune. Here is more history from the Traditional Tune Archive . Countless tunes and songs have been written about Napoleon ( originally spelled Buonoparte, by the way ). The Caledonian March was taken from this melody in the early 1800’s, and is a clear predecessor to today's version. More imortantly for Old Time music, he was always crossing or returning from some geographical point or another. Old Time music benefits from several “Bony'' tunes. The Session says there are 23 names for this melody. How many can you name? Check yourself against this list from The Fiddler’s Companion : Bonaparte Crossing The Alps Bonaparte Crossing The Rocky Mountains Bonaparte In A Knapsack Bonaparte In The Mexican Restaurant Bonaparte's Advance Bonaparte’s Charge Bonaparte's Defeat Bonapart(e)'s Expedition Bonaparte’s Grand March Bonaparte's March (5 Different Versions) Bonaparte's March Into Russia Bonaparte’s Petit Dance Bonaparte's Retreat (6 Versions) Bonaparte's Return Bonaparte’s Return From Moscow Too easy? How about these: Battle Call Of The Fianna, The Battle Of Waterloo, Bonnie’s, Cead Suí Do Mhag Uidhir, Fare Thee Well Sweet Killaloe, Hot Asphalt, Johnny Get Up, Let Mr. Maguire Sit Down, Listowell, Mick Maguire, Mr. Maguire, The Old Cuckoo, Rohallion, Shermans March, The Star Of Columbia, and Sweet Killaloe. The earlier estimate of 23 names for this tune seems to be a little short . The melody itself seems to be “of great antiquity” and has its origins in the British Isles- well before Napoleon was seen crossing the Rhine with a knapsack to get to a Mexican restaurant, then crossing both the Rocky Mountains and the Alps while returning from Moscow - only to advance, retreat, charge, then ultimately - be defeated. Napoleon Crossing The Alps Rhine River Map Also a Napoleon Napoleon Crossing The Alps 1/7 Spencer and Rains The Caledonian March Bonaparte Crossing The Rhine The Fuzzy Mountain String Band (1972) Bonaparte Crossing The Rhine The Dry Branch Fire Squad 00:00 / 02:19