mudbug - Posted - 07/28/2009:  17:30:31

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As I go through CD's that I have, Stuart Duncan's name keeps popping up as the fiddler. He must have done a lot of session work. I like his style ( or maybe it's because I've heard him so much, but never realized it, and his style is embedded in my consciousness as being right for the songs). Any way, I've always found it fascinating to trace back influences of musicians, and am curious if someone could point me to the fiddlers who influenced him. Thankyou.

Dick Hauser - Posted - 07/28/2009:  19:07:23

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His roomate at Plains College in Levelland, Texas wrote that Stuart is more than just a good fiddler. He was lucky enough to have been born with outstanding musical skills and he can play a variety of instruments. His dad was into music and Stuart started playing pretty young. Ron Block (Allison Krause's band guitar/banjoist) was also a student at that junior college. The band from that college performed on "Grand Old Opry".

Stuart plays fiddle in "The Nashville Bluegrass Band". I have a bunch of their CDs. I like the seldom heard but great tunes they come up with. Mike Compton, one of the best mandolinist in Nashville is also in that band.

Right now Stuart Duncan and Aubry Haynie are very popular. When I watch their bowing work on Youtube I turn green with envy. I use that as motivation to constantly improve my own bowing technique. It keeps getting better, but it is "not there yet".

gulfguy

Gary Lee Moore - Posted - 07/28/2009:  19:46:31

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I remember Stuart playing fiddle when he was around 8 years old at fiddle contests in San Diego. In a band with Allison Brown and John Corzine. They were are young, and all very good musicians at the time. Maybe 1971 or so?

Practice makes perfect.

P. T. Porter - Posted - 07/28/2009:  20:01:28

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To answer your question Mudbug, Stuart often mentions Byron Berline as the fiddler who hit the light switch for him. Stuart was a guest master artist at Augusta Heritage's bluegrass week last year, along with Tim O'Brien. Boy oh boy did they play! During the talk session between tunes, Stuart mentioned Berline as a big influence on him. Also if you search the archives of Fiddler Magazine you can find an interview with SD and again he says his fiddling really took off when he heard, and saw for the first time, BB play.

mudbug - Posted - 07/29/2009:  11:11:20

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Thankyou, P.T.. I'll check out Byron and see if I can notice the influence. Of course, the next question becomes, Who influenced Byron ?, and who influenced the guy who influenced Byron? I don't know how far back you could trace the fiddling "family tree", but I enjoy listening with this in mind.

Supertone - Posted - 07/29/2009:  17:30:55

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Who was Stuart's roomie at South Plains? Do you know who was in that student band?

Dick Hauser - Posted - 07/29/2009:  17:45:00

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His roomate was a guitar player who manages a ranch in New Mexico. Some of the more talented students like Stuart and Ron Block probably put more into the program that they took out of it. Stuart did say that South Plains Community College was where he learned how to effectively "mike" a fiddle.

I have read more about Stuart Duncan in guitar newsgroups that I have fiddle newsgroups.

gulfguy

P. T. Porter - Posted - 07/29/2009:  17:58:36

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quote:

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Originally posted by mudbug

Thankyou, P.T.. I'll check out Byron and see if I can notice the influence. Of course, the next question becomes, Who influenced Byron ?, and who influenced the guy who influenced Byron? I don't know how far back you could trace the fiddling "family tree", but I enjoy listening with this in mind.

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Mudbug, I pulled the Fall 2002 copy of Fiddler Mag in which Darol Anger interviews Stuart D, who said at one point that after he had been "ripping off" Byron Berline realized that he was "really ripping off Benny Martin!" He also tips his hat in respect to 1920's blues guitarists, and among others Vassar Clements, and get this: Ray Charles. He said that he listened to nothing but Ray Charles for 5 years. No wonder he has so much soul in his playing. He also mentions paying special attention to pre reverb steel guitariists. His fiddle family tree sure has a lot of branches!

mudbug - Posted - 07/30/2009:  02:13:28

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Thanks, PT. That's what I find interesting about following influences. There's always something interesting and unexpected back there. Pedal steels and Ray Charles, who'd a thunk it?

doublestop - Posted - 08/03/2009:  22:52:18

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quote:

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Originally posted by Dick Hauser

He was lucky enough to have been born with outstanding musical skills and he can play a variety of instruments.

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I saw a TV show about the making of one of Alison Krauss' albums, and was surprised when Stuart played baritone uke on one track, and the dirtiest old Martin guitar I've ever seen on another. He played both with a lovely touch, in addition to his fiddling. A master musician, indeed.

Jim Hyndman, www.longway.org.uk

Peghead - Posted - 08/04/2009:  13:43:37

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Byron Berlines dad was an old timer. I'm sure their house was full of music.