This transcription is based on a performance of East Tennessee Blues recorded by the dual-monikered group Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters/ The Hill Billies. It was recorded in New York City on October 21st, 1926, and released as Vocalion # 5016 (credited to The Hill Billies) and Brunswick # 103 (credited to Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters).
East Tennessee Blues was recorded by four different performers prior to 1942, and remains in the repertoire of contemporary old-time and bluegrass musicians. It’s more a rag than a blues, with the 16-bar strains and secondary dominants one typically finds in ragtime-influenced music.
East Tennessee Blues