Banjo Hangout Newest 100 Clawhammer and Old-Time Songs

This tune comes from fiddler Buddy Thomas (1934-1974) of Lewis County, Kentucky, who learned it from Ohio fiddler Morris Allen. Jeff Titon notes the A part's close similarity with the English dance tune The Rose Tree.

The Carter Family first presented this iconic song to the world of country music. These lyrics came from Carlene Carter, daughter of June and Johnny Cash. The 3/4 timing for the verses was my idea.

Using cello banjo, this recording adds chordal accompaniment to the previous solo banjo posted for Tune of the Week.

A fun little tune where I keep singing the more common B part in my head, "Johnny, get your hair cut, hair cut, hair cut..."

Tippy Get You Hair Cut (Melvin Wine, fiddle GDAD and Carl Baron, banjo gDGDE) was recorded from an over the air public radio broadcast of the 1977 Chicago Folk Festival.

Eck Robertson, Arkansas fiddler with a phenomenal recording history, played multiple versions of the commonly known old-time tune Sally Goodin. Check out the Tune of the Week link for an interesting story. I play just a few of his variations, plus add my own at the very end.

An original tune

An upbeat tune, sounds to me like a horse that rears up in great spirit and power. This arrangement is first arranged from the source recording, Oklahoman fiddler George Mert Reeves, and then from Kerry Blech (1947-2023), wonderful collector, scholar and player of fiddle tunes.

Double C; key of D, After Bob Siggins. "Hell if you can't play that you can't play nothing"

G tuning key of A

Double C tuning; Cello Banjo

German folk song in G tuning

This tune comes to us from fiddler Gustace "Gusty" Wallace (1890-1985) of Metcalf County, Kentucky, recorded by fiddler and tune collector Bruce Greene, in 1973. Wallace told Greene that it was the first tune he ever learned, taught to him by his father. I'm picking this with my fiddling pal John Reddick.

Played on a early 1900's vintage pot with a modern neck

Recording from a Monday contra dance in Louisville, Kentucky, by the volunteer string band, Monday Night All Stars.

An original tune

From the playing of Illinois fiddler Pauline McGinnis on the Dear Old Illinois compilation, it's a great little tune!

This Tune of the Week is an old one that comes from Ireland. The town of Fermoy is in County Cork, a place where fine musicians have originated from, as well as gold rush immigrants who ended up in my native California.

It must be an old song because it has much variety in titles, lyrics and even melody. This version based on Sherman Hammons of West Virginia has a sad feel.

Red Rocking Chair based on the playing of Sherman Hammons, banjo tuned eEABD or thereabouts...

The source of Crook Brothers Breakdown is a 1964 recording of a group who were with the Grand Old Opry from its inception in the 1920's. They play fast, fast, fast! I play at 65% of their speed. You'll hear a bit of cello banjo accompaniment.

Here's a 4-part Alabama tune from fiddler Ralph Whited. I guess my favorite part was his slide in the A part. We have wild turkeys every day at our place -- big birds who use their feet to scratch, scratch, scratch the dirt, and also in ash and weed piles.

An original tune

A song everyone knows is being explored on Tune of the Week and simultaneously recognizes our faithful BHO moderator, Bill Rogers. The second part of the song may or may not be known. I call it The Old Gray Mare or Stud, with apologies to Bill if necessary.

The current Tune of the Week honors the only Illinois female fiddler Stelle (or Stella) Elam who recorded ten tunes for the immense Dear Old Illinois compilation. The medley of three included in this medley are called Grotts, Jaybird, and Crooked Road. They've been arranged in double C tuning and use an AAB format, as she did for the most part.

Here's my attempt at Matt Brown's arrangement of Cold Frosty Morning, from his 2-finger Patreon/YouTube stuff.

From the fiddling of Stella Elam. Key of D (aDADE)

Stella Elam's version of Jaybird (in key of G) with banjo tuned gEADE.

A song from an 1800's hymnal, being brought back to life, as the departed souls are promised to be in the last verse.

As played by WV fiddler Ellis Hall, here's a three-part tune that's been played all around by many well-known players. I'd like to hear James Bryan, but can't find his version. However, his partner, Carl Jones, plays it prettily on guitar and you can hear it on a link in this week's Tune of the Week.

A tune popular especially in Quebec, Rabbit Hop is a dance tune with some hopping heard in the B part.

Reference recording for the tab posted--view my tabs here.

An original tune by Eric Field

An original tune by Eric Field

An original tune by Eric Field

From the playing of Virginia fiddler Dudley Spangler (1885-1981), the association with Angeline the Baker is strong, but who knows which came first...