Ridin’ in an Old Model T

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’…

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…

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…