Live Field Recordings

Fiddler's Grove

Harper Van Hoy founded this festival after the historic Union Grove Festival was closed. Harper believed the festival should be reimagined as a family gathering. You could take your take your kids there and they were safe to play and explore the farm. I did that for a number of years.

In the early days, attendance was by invitation only. The contest judging was tough and highly competent. Unlike festivals today, the judges focused on delivery quality, using an extensive list of criteria for each category to select the winners. It meant something when you won a prize. In those days, speed and flashy delivery were not considered quality.

I remember many nights spent in the barn playing with J.P. Fraley. Watt Slone, Mac Snodderly, Harper and many other top-drawer fiddlers. These recordings were made on a cassette recorder and the loud-speaker system on stage sometimes overpowers the recordings, even though they were a pasture away. I share the music and make it available to you as is, and I’ll beg your forgiveness later.

Recordings

Fiddler's Grove

1975 Recordings 14 Recordings
1. Bill Cheatum – Bard Ray and the Appalachian Band —
2. Dog Bite Announcement – Harper Van Hoy —
3. Down Yonder —
4. Ragtime Annie —
6. Fiddler's Grove Song – Betty Smith —
7. Cross-Eyed Teacher Joke – Nick Hallman —
8. Boil Them Cabbage Down —
10. Fiddlin' Will – Bard Ray and Betty Smith —
11. I Almost Learned to Play the Guitar – Nick Hallman —
12. One String Pickin' – Nick Hallman —
13. Calling the Bands to the Stage —
14. Camping in the Wilderness – Bard Ray and Betty Smith —
15. Harper Thanking the Audience —
16. Shsananna Gal —
1977 Recordings 11 Recordings
1. Unknown Tune —
2. Unknown Tune —
3. Unknown Tune —
4. Unknown Tune —
5. Unknown Tune —
6. Kansas City Railroad Blues —
7. Unknown Tune —
8. Unknown Tune —
9. Unknown Tune —
10. Unknown Tune —
11. Unknown Tune —
1979 Recordings 3 Recordings
2. Unknown Tune —
3. Unknown Tune —
4. Twin Fiddling – In the Sweet Bye and Bye —