Guest Blogger: Grant Wheeler Originally recorded by Robin Shaylor in 1968 on the street corner just outside the Hospitality Center in downtown Weiser, Idaho, on a Sony TC-800. This was Herman’s very first year at the National Old-time Fiddlers’ Contest, all the way from his home in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He was 48 years old and it was the first of five times that he would win the National Champion title.
Backing Herman up on this recording was one of his best friends, favorite pickers, and fellow ‘Okie’ Ralph McGraw.
All the tunes have been edited into individual mp3 tracks. But for those interested in soaking up the full atmosphere of what was documented that day, included here is a “master” mp3 file where you can listen to the entire jam session from start to finish which includes all the dialogue, jokes, and banter between Herman, Ralph, and the growing number of people gathering around to listen and request tunes. One gets a sense from the crowd reaction that something a little new and a little different had come to Weiser that year. As one bystander calls out at the end of the recording..."Play some more! Play some more!"
Download Link: Herman Johnson - Weiser Jam Session 1968 (57MB)
(additional audio sweetening by Stephen Schauer)
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