Herman Johnson - Weiser Jam Session 1968

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)

Eck Robertson - Famous Cowboy Fiddler

Most viewers here will already have the excellent compilation CD of Eck's recordings for Victor, available from County Sales. Here is a hard to find and out-of-print field recording, recorded in 1963 by Mike Seeger, John Cohen, and Tracy Schwarz (The New Lost City Ramblers) in Eck's living room and officially released by County Records as "Eck Robertson: Famous Cowboy Fiddler" on LP in 1991 as County 202. Eck was 76 years old at the time. It isn't modern-sounding Texas fiddle music as we know it today, but unaccompanied old-time roots music that helped form the current genre. Thanks to the Down Home Radio Show blog for sharing!

Download Link: Eck Robertson - Famous Cowboy Fiddler (34MB)

Terry Morris with Rex G

This one goes out in memory of guitar legend Rex Gillentine. Rex was a friend to anyone he met in the fiddle world. I always appreciated how he would take the time to encourage younger and less-experienced musicians, often giving them impromptu lessons. This short half-tape was simply labeled "Terry w/ Rex G." Recorded in the mid-1970's when they were young men who hadn't been playing long. It's inspiring to hear the early foundations of their amazing musical bond.

Download Link: Terry Morris with Rex G (61MB)

Terry Morris 1-28-86

This is one posted for my friend Shira, who was kind enough to share some new tapes with me last month. This fairly short tape sounds like it was made while preparing for a recording session. All the label says is "at Terry's 1-28-86." I really enjoy the extended cut of Bill Cheatum during which you can listen to Terry work out a part in real time. Expertly recorded by Al Mouledous.

Download Link: Terry Morris 1-28-86 (47 MB)

Johnny Gimble's Texas Playboy Reunion 1990

You can't really talk great Texas fiddle music without including Bob Wills and Johnny Gimble. Here's a two part tape of Johnny's Playboy Reunion band in concert. This one was recorded live in 1990 at the Pinesong Music Festival in Spokane, Washington. See the photo below from the cassette for the full credits.

Download Link: Johnny Gimble's Texas Playboy Reunion Live 1990 Tape 1 (108 MB) 

Download Link: Johnny Gimble's Texas Playboy Reunion Live 1990 Tape 2 (111 MB)

Jimmie Don Bates with Joey and Jason 1987

Here's four tunes played by Jimmie Don Bates in the summer of 1987. Recorded on my little AIWA hand held cassette recorder in the kitchen of Matt Hartz' home in Boise, Idaho. Jason Crisp is on the guitar and Joey McKenzie is on tenor guitar. If you listen closely, at one point you can hear Jason Crisp jokingly offer Matt's mom $3 to fold his laundry...she did not.

Download Link: Jimmie Don with Joey and Jason 1987 (19MB)

Tony Ludiker and Rod Anderson 1994

Here's a fantastic recording of Tony Ludiker and Rod Anderson in the spring of 1994. Rod (thank you for sharing!) tells me they were preparing for Weiser, which Tony won that year for his fifth title. Tony absolutely loved Texas-style fiddling and began incorporating it into his fiddling in the early '80's, developing a unique sound which was heavily influenced by Texas, old-time, and even a bit of Canadian fiddling.

Rest in peace, my friend.

Download Link: Tony Ludiker and Rod Anderson 1994 (146 MB)

photo source: Weiser Signal American, June 27, 1994