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.