Greatest fiddle player?

Darrell Criswell · Post by **Darrell Criswell** » 1 Jul 2008 4:38 pm

Who do you think is the greatest fiddle player of all time? and who is the current greatest fiddle player.

Any comments on styles, personal preferences, and personal observations are welcome.

Thanks

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 1 Jul 2008 6:03 pm

I won't pick an all time great but one of the best out now is Bobby Flores. The future may show him to be one of the best ever. He's great on guitar and steel plus he sings.
Ya' really gotta' hate a guy like that.

Dennis Graves · Post by **Dennis Graves** » 1 Jul 2008 6:09 pm

Stuart Duncan

Pete Finney · Post by **Pete Finney** » 1 Jul 2008 6:12 pm

Tommy Jackson, Buddy Spicher, Glen Duncan, Johnny Gimble, Stuart Duncan, Kenny Baker, Aubrey Haynie, Joe Holley, Mark O'Conner, Byron Berline, and Vassar Clements, just for a start...

In my opinion, to say that any of these players at this level is better than the other seems sort of pointless; all different, all undeniably great.

I don't know where you want to draw the line, but I'd throw in Joe Venuti, Dave Swarbrick, Stephane Grapelli, and Kevin Burke too (among others) if we're not talking just country/bluegrass/western swing...

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 1 Jul 2008 6:54 pm

Uhhh, does Jack Benny fit in here any place?

J. R. McClung · Post by **J. R. McClung** » 1 Jul 2008 7:20 pm

Vassar Clements.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 1 Jul 2008 7:46 pm

VASSAR, No doubt about it.DYKBC.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 1 Jul 2008 7:55 pm

Hey Pete,

Don't forget Hank Singer...

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 1 Jul 2008 8:46 pm

Curley Fox, Tommy Vaden, Dale Potter, Buddy Brady and too many Texas fiddlers to name. Jody.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 1 Jul 2008 9:36 pm

young Willie Hall:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XA16CzV_Y0

still had it after all those years:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18LA4TN9 ... re=related

Cody Campbell · Post by **Cody Campbell** » 1 Jul 2008 9:39 pm

Jazz: Stephane Grappelli!!!

Jean-luc Ponty. Mark O'Connor. Darol Anger.

Country/Swing: Buddy Spicher. Tommy Jackson. One we haven't mentioned is Red Hayes.

Any fiddler for Bob Wills' band.

Bluegrass: Benny Martin, Kenny Baker.

Bobby Hicks, Vassar Clements.

Stuart Duncan, Aubrey Hanie,

Michael Cleveland, Casey Driessen.

Mandolin players who double on fiddle: Sam Bush, Tim O'Brien, Ricky Skaggs.

Russ Wever · Post by **Russ Wever** » 1 Jul 2008 10:05 pm

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 2 Jul 2008 12:06 am

Don't forget Shad Cobb.........

Or Scotty Stoneman...........

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 2 Jul 2008 1:16 am

Wow.

How can thirty or so people be named and no reference to these two guys who were both blowing the lid off the dump before Byron Berline and Mark O'Connor were born!!

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 2 Jul 2008 4:47 am

Stuart, Aubrey & Larry Franklin

JERRY THURMOND · Post by **JERRY THURMOND** » 2 Jul 2008 5:16 am

I agree with Pete, but I would like to mention Randy Elmore, great Texas Fiddler.

Jerry

Charlie St Denis · Post by **Charlie St Denis** » 2 Jul 2008 5:49 am

Gordon Terry was a childhood hero and inspiration
to me and after getting to know Gordon over the
years in 89' when my wife was expecting I told
Gordon if it's a boy I will name him after you.
When my son was born the Dr. handed him to me and
said now he needs a name. I told the doctor it
would be Gordon Terry St Denis. The doctor looked
at me and said we'll give you chance to think about
it. When I told Gordon what the doctor had said
Gordon's reply was "he must have heard me on the
fiddle". I miss his sense of humor very much.

Charlie St Denis

Al Udeen · Post by **Al Udeen** » 2 Jul 2008 6:07 am

When I worked the road in Nashville, I played for Jimmy Dickens with Dale Potter on fiddle, I saw an award at Dale's house from Bob Wills, stating that he was the best fiddler that ever worked for Bob, Much later, when I was band leader & steel player for the early Midwest Country Show here in Mn. I had the pleasure to have Bruce Hoffman on fiddle for several shows, Bruce has been Branson's finest for about the last 15 years, I believe he is still with Buck Trent & he also plays guitar, steel, & a few other instruments! Regards! Al Udeen

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 2 Jul 2008 6:45 am

Tommy Jackson is my personal favorite. Gee, nobody has mentioned George Liberace - I guess he was considered a violinist and not a fiddler.

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 2 Jul 2008 6:55 am

Like someone said, too many Texas fiddlers to name but I can think of a couple more, Bobby Boatright, Joe Andrews, RD Weeks, Robert Weeks, Billy Morris, and on and on.

Phred

Mike Shefrin · Post by **Mike Shefrin** » 2 Jul 2008 7:01 am

Nobody seems to have mentioned fiddlin Frenchie Burke.
He may not be the greatest but I still love the way he plays.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 2 Jul 2008 7:29 am

I gotta put in a vote for Alex DePue. Man, that cat has got it goin' on!

Gere Mullican · Post by **Gere Mullican** » 2 Jul 2008 8:10 am

My vote goes for my dear friend, Bobby Hicks.

Dean Dobbins · Post by **Dean Dobbins** » 2 Jul 2008 8:37 am

Leon McCauliffe's great Vocalist and Fiddler Jimmy Hall, should be included with all the above!

Rick Johnson · Post by **Rick Johnson** » 2 Jul 2008 9:54 am

What about Hoot Hester
and the late Jim Unger.

Rick

www.rickjohnsoncabs.com

The Steel Guitar Forum

Greatest fiddle player?

Greatest fiddle player?

Vassar.

Dale Potter/Bruce Hoffmann