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canadianfiddler - Posted - 05/14/2012: 23:29:04
I thought I'd post a little information and photos about the man behind the fiddle on the Pope's Arkansas Mountaineers recordings. If you don't know, they were a group out of Searcy, in White County Arkansas. They were put together and funded by piano store owner John D. Pope. They attended one recording session in Memphis, on February 6 1928. They recorded 8 sides, 6 were accepted and released. These are: Jawbone, Hogeye, Get Along Home Miss Cindy, Cotton Eyed Joe, Birmingham, & George Washington. The other two that were not released were two comic sketches titled ''Arkansas Stump Speech'', which were similar to the Skillet Lickers sketches of the time.
John had ordered a fiddle from Sears Roebuck, but was not pleased, as the one he received was not the one he had ordered. After sending away a few more times they told him to accept his fortune. Thus, he kept it, and this is the fiddle he recorded with in 1928, with Pope's Arkansas Mountaineers.
John passed away in 1967, and is buried in the Smyrna Cemetery, in Searcy AR.
Photos: John H. Chism, with his fiddle, and John's fiddle
I have also attached transcriptions of John's playing of the following tunes: Birmingham, Cotton Eyed Joe, Hogeye, and Jawbone.
Pat
Tobias - Posted - 05/15/2012: 01:20:14
Great post, Thanks.
/Tobias
modon - Posted - 05/15/2012: 10:04:29
What a pleasure to see one of the tradition bearers honored in a post like yours. Far too often the tunes are remembered but the people who preserved them and made it possible for us to enjoy them are forgotten, or worse, considered unimportant. The music we love was a big part of their lives as it is a big part of our own. We are now the tradition bearers and it's important to honor the ones who came before us.
These guys had a terrific rough and ready style that still prevails in Ozark fiddling.
M-D - Posted - 05/15/2012: 10:31:42
Great work, George! Have you seen this PDF?
Fiddler - Posted - 05/15/2012: 11:51:24
quote:
Originally posted by M-D
Great work, George! Have you seen this PDF?
This is great, Martin!! Thanks!
canadianfiddler - Posted - 05/15/2012: 13:02:04
quote:
Originally posted by M-D
Great work, George! Have you seen this PDF?
Thanks M-D. Yes, I had read the interview when I first started the project, gave me my first few leads when researching. I have two pictures of Tip, which I obtained from a copy of the LP ''I'm Old, But I'm Awfully Tough'' Tip moved to PA a few years before his death, his daughter Mamie McKinney was living around Beaver Falls at that time, and I assume that he is buried around there, as I have found no listing for him here.
canadianfiddler - Posted - 05/15/2012: 13:06:38
quote:
Originally posted by modon
What a pleasure to see one of the tradition bearers honored in a post like yours. Far too often the tunes are remembered but the people who preserved them and made it possible for us to enjoy them are forgotten, or worse, considered unimportant. The music we love was a big part of their lives as it is a big part of our own. We are now the tradition bearers and it's important to honor the ones who came before us.
These guys had a terrific rough and ready style that still prevails in Ozark fiddling.
That's exactly how it needs to be put. Thanks Modon. I'm glad someone else appreciates their importance.
Pat
canadianfiddler - Posted - 05/15/2012: 19:54:52
Rob is correct however, these transcriptions are the same from the Ozarks Fiddle book out of the Folk Center in Stone Co. AR The book is a great buy, with accurate transcriptions and Rob has provided links.
Pat
Tobias - Posted - 05/16/2012: 01:43:10
quote:
Originally posted by canadianfiddler
quote:
Originally posted by modon
What a pleasure to see one of the tradition bearers honored in a post like yours. Far too often the tunes are remembered but the people who preserved them and made it possible for us to enjoy them are forgotten, or worse, considered unimportant. The music we love was a big part of their lives as it is a big part of our own. We are now the tradition bearers and it's important to honor the ones who came before us.
These guys had a terrific rough and ready style that still prevails in Ozark fiddling.
That's exactly how it needs to be put. Thanks Modon. I'm glad someone else appreciates their importance.
Pat
Amen!
I recently wrote a blog entry about this:
2bias.com/blog/?p=158
/Tobias
M-D - Posted - 05/16/2012: 22:47:20
Good points in the blog, Tobias!
