Tommy Jackson established the Nashville studio session fiddle style with his long bow, fluid double stops, and virtuosic fingering. But he died in his 50s in 1979 nearly forgotten – because of his success. So many other musicians copied him and fought for studio work that Jackson, perhaps overexposed, found it hard by the 1970s to get studio work of his own. This week we hear some of his music, including great square dance tunes, and come to understand how many people he influenced. Also on the show, some wonderful heart songs, and a consideration of the harmonica in old time music, from blues to dance tunes to ballads.
Episode 47 Playlist
- Crazy Creek
Tommy Jackson
Square Dance Tonight
- Tomahawk
Tommy Jackson
Square Dance Tonight
- Tomahawk
Ward Jarvis
Ward Jarvis
- Icy Mountain
Ward Jarvis
Ward Jarvis
- Willow Tree
Riley Baugus
Long Steel Rail
- Long Time Gone
Dixie Chicks
Home
- Break 1
Cider
Riley Baugus
Life Of Riley
- Waynesboro
Chance McCoy
Chance McCoy & The Appalachian String Band
- Sunny Side of Life
Strange Creek Singers
The Strange Creek Singers
- I Heard The Bluebirds Sing
Beverly Smith & John Grimm
The Sound Of The Whip-Poor-Whill
- Stepstones
Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin
Blue Lightning
- Carolina Hornpipe
Tim Smith
Straight From The Heart
- The White Dove
Ralph Stanley & Porter Wagoner
Clinch Mountain Country Vol. 2
- Fisher's Hornpipe
Bob Carlin & Kirk Sutphin
The Boys From North Carolina
- Break 2
Big Foot
Rafe & Clelia Stefanini
Never Seen the Like
- Brownsville Blues
John Cephas & Phil Wiggins
Masters Of The Piedmont Blues
- Low Down Blues
Neal Pattman
Classic Harmonica Blues
- Barbara Allen Blues
Roscoe Holcomb
Classic Harmonica Blues
- Cripple Creek
George Pegram & Walter Parham
Good Old Mountain Dew
- Mule Team
Garry Harrison
Red Prairie Dawn