Ridin’ in an Old Model T is one of six sides recorded by the Dixie Ramblers at a March, 1937 session in Birmingham, Alabama. Russell’s Country Music Records actually lists four unrelated groups that recorded under the name The Dixie Ramblers. Unusually for 1930s string bands, this group appears to have been racially integrated. Ridin’…
Green Mountain
Earl Johnson recorded Green Mountain at a November 22nd, 1929, session in Atlanta, Georgia. It was paired with Rocky Palace, and released as Victor # V-40304. Green Mountain is Flop-Eared Mule in all but name. His is the only recording listed in Tony Russell’s Country Music Records under that title. The tune is a simple AABB fiddle tune with the A strain in…
Molly Put the Kettle On
The Leake County Revelers recorded Molly Put the Kettle On at a December 13th, 1928 session in New Orleans. It was released as Columbia # 15380-D. The tune is a simple AABB fiddle tune in D major, with short 4-bar strains. If anyone wants to take a crack at the lyrics go for it. Aside from,…
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…
Texas Gals
The Hill Billies, aka Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters, recorded Texas Gals at an October 22nd, 1926, session in New York City. It was released as Vocalion # 5021, paired with Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad. Texas Gals is a three-part tune in C major. The middle strain is very similar to the second strain of Billy…
New Money
Fiddlin’ Doc Roberts recorded New Money at an August 24th, 1928, session in Richmond, Indiana. It was paired with Shoot That Turkey Buzzard, and released as Gennett # 6775. It also saw a release on the Supertone label (# 9355), credited to his oft-used pseudonym, Fiddlin’ Jim Burke. This is the only commercial recording of New Money under that title…
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…