Banjo Hangout Newest 100 Clawhammer and Old-Time Songs

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. &#34Hell if you can&#39t play that you can&#39t play nothing&#34

G tuning key of A

Double C tuning; Cello Banjo

German folk song in G tuning

This tune comes to us from fiddler Gustace &#34Gusty&#34 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&#39m picking this with my fiddling pal John Reddick.

Played on a early 1900&#39s 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&#39s 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&#39s. They play fast, fast, fast! I play at 65% of their speed. You&#39ll hear a bit of cello banjo accompaniment.

Here&#39s 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&#39ve been arranged in double C tuning and use an AAB format, as she did for the most part.

Here&#39s my attempt at Matt Brown&#39s arrangement of Cold Frosty Morning, from his 2-finger Patreon/YouTube stuff.

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