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…
Sleeping Lula
The Carver Boys recorded Sleeping Lula at what was, regrettably, their only recording date — a September 6th, 1929, session in Richmond, Indiana. It was released on the Paramount label as #3233, as well as on Broadway and ARC-Broadway (credited to the Cramer Boys). The tune is a fairly straightforward rag in C, with a motive that…
Johnson Boys
This transcription is based on a performance by Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters, recorded in New York City on May 14th, 1927. It was released as Brunswick # 179. Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters were the same group as The Hill Billies. The group’s releases on Vocalion were credited to The Hill Billies,…
L and N Rag
This transcription is based on a performance Alex Hood and His Railroad Boys recorded at their only recording date, an April 8th, 1930, Knoxville session that produced two sides. A transcription of L and N Rag appeared in my book, but there are three significant issues with that transcription: It is in the wrong key Several phrases are transcribed…
Arkansas Traveler
This transcription is based on an August 26, 1927, performance in Richmond, Indiana, by Fiddlin’ Doc Roberts. Arkansas Traveler (aka Arkansaw Traveler, Arkansas Traveller, Arkansaw Traveller) is among the first fiddle tunes to be recorded, and remains a standard in the repertoire. Tony Russell’s Country Music Records lists over twenty different recordings on the tune under various…
Pallet on the Floor
This Pallet on the Floor isn’t the same tune as Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor. It is, however, an interesting 12-bar tune in C with some nice syncopations. The Stripling Brothers recorded this tune at a session in New Orleans, Louisiana, on March 12th, 1936. It was paired with You Are Always in My Dreams, and…
Dance All Night
The Stripling Brothers recorded Dance All Night, aka Danced All Night with a Bottle in My Hand, in New York City on August 19th, 1929. It was their second-ever recording session. The recording was paired with Horse Shoe Bend, and released as Vocalion # 5395. My recording of this tune (included on the Document Records Complete Recorded Works CD) sounds in…
Going Up Brushy Fork
This transcription is based on a performance that the Kessinger Brothers recorded in New York City on June 25th, 1929. It was released on Brunswick as # 458, and on Melotone as # M18019, credited to ‘Les Serenadeurs Du Lac St Jean.’ Each strain of this tune can be found in the better-known Cripple Creek.…
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…
Brownstown Girl
The Kessinger Brothers recorded Brownstown Girl, aka Buffalo Gal, aka Roundtown Girls, etc… at a three-day recording session in New York City in June, 1929. It was released as Vocalion # 02565. There’s a nice surprise in bar 5 of the ‘B’ strain — a suggestion of an e minor chord as the guitar accompaniment walks up…