Sunday, February 24, 2008
My band had a practice today. Let me tell you a little about us. Most of them have been together about 5 years. I just joined last Sept. We have a banjo & guitar player/vocalist (they're a married couple & were the charter members), a mando, a guy that plays autoharp & guitar, and electric bass player, and a gal who clog dances (Doris). It is Doris who I'd like to highlight here. She's originally from West Virginia, and has the most delightful accent. So during our practice, we wanted to go through the tune FLY AROUND PRETTY LITTLE MISS. That's a tune that I play fiddle & sing on. I was kind of nervous 'cause I hadn't done the tune with the group yet. But it went fairly well. I remembered all the verses and tried to sing in what I figure is a good way to sing in the "old-time way". So we get done with the tune and Doris said I nailed it. She said I should have been singing with her West Virginian family, it sounded so authentic. I must have blushed 3 shades of red. I told her I was just trying to imitate a sound. She said I nailed it. I'm happy as a pig in (you know).
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Playing Since: 1980
Experience Level: Purty Good
Interests:
[Teaching] [Jamming] [Socializing] [Helping]
Occupation: RETIRED, LOO
Gender: Male
Age: 70
My Instruments:
I have a Strad copy from Grandpa. I also have a fiddle that was made for me by Deborah-Helen Viator in Eunice, LA, which is my "tuned-down" Cajun fiddle. My first fiddle (which I still have & is still my best) is one that I payed only $150 for in 1980. The tone is balanced all the way across, but sounds particularly rich in the bass. The story I like to tell about it is that Mike Seeger once offered to buy it off me.
Favorite Bands/Musicians:
I like anybody that plays Old-time and Cajun. Favorites include Kenny Jackson of the Rhythm Rats, Double Decker String Band, Rafe Stefanini, Clyde Davenport, Tommy Jarrell, Charlie Bowman, Al Hopkins & His Bucklebusters (aka The Hillbillies), Melvin Wine, Ernie Carpenter and Chirps Smith.
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Created 6/23/2007
Last Visit 12/22/2025
I started as a classical player, but was able to drop that bad habit. (My 13 yr. old niece is a budding violinist, but she says classical music is boring. I sense an opportunity here.) Anyhow, it took a few years to stop reading music. Going to Augusta in Elkins, WV and taking a class with Gerry Milnes was eye-opening. Over the years I just kept going to workshops where I'd meet teachers & other fiddlers and I'd learn a few things every time & rekindle the excitement that I feel every time I pick up a fiddle.
