Walking in the Parlor

The Hill Billies (aka Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters) recorded Walking in the Parlor at a New York session on October 22nd, 1926. It is one of three recordings listed in Tony Russell’s Country Music Records under that title, the others being by Dr. D.D. Hollis and The Pickard Family. The tune is a simple AABB fiddle…

Blue Eyed Girl

Blue Eyed Girl is, for all intents and purposes, Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss. The Hill Billies (aka Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters) recorded it at an October 22nd, 1926, session for Vocalion. It was released as Vocalion # 5017, paired with Fisher’s Hornpipe. As with several other of the group’s recordings, the fidelity of the…

Sally Ann

The Hill Billies (aka Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters) recorded Sally Ann at their first-ever recording date, a January 1925 session for the OKeh label. They would re-record the the following year for release on Brunswick and Vocalion. Though this performance is in C major, Sally Ann is often played in other keys, more commonly…

East Tennessee Blues

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…

Mississippi Sawyer

The Hill Billies (aka Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters) recorded Mississippi Sawyer at their second recording session, an April 30th, 1926, date for Vocalion. The recording features four Hopkinses: Elmer, Al, Joe, and John. The band would never again realize such a Hopkins density. Tony Russell’s Country Music Records lists 13 recordings of Mississippi Sawyer made before…

Fisher’s Hornpipe

Most everyone plays Fisher’s Hornpipe in D major nowadays, but The Hill Billies (aka Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters) recorded a very clever arrangement in G major. The tune was recorded in New York on October 21st, 1926, and released as Vocalion # 5017. The Hill Billies and Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters were…