Greatest fiddle player?

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 8 Jul 2008 11:51 am

Here is the one I knew everybody would over look, " Dave Gant ". Also second to him is the late " Doug Atwell ". Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 8 Jul 2008 5:53 pm

Scarlat Riviera was not bad in her day.
I guess she retired.

Archie Nicol · Post by **Archie Nicol** » 9 Jul 2008 9:37 am

The master of the slow aire, Aly Bain.

click here

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 9 Jul 2008 10:40 am

Dale Potter, from where I stand, was an absolute champion of his instrument, right in there with Chet Atkins, Jerry Byrd, Grady Martin, Hank Garland, etc.

Tommy Jackson, of the Red Foley days and beyond. A musician that could evoke emotion thro' his great fills, lead-ins and solos. What a great musician.

Bobby Hicks is a truly great musician and a wonderful person that I got to meet at the Oregon Coast when Ricky Skaggs and band filled-in for Loretta Lynn's booking. He's smooth, appropriate and creative.

Johnny Gimble has been there and back. How does one describe a musician like this? Simply great.

But of course, there are those that are also mighty fine but just never quite seemed to get before the public with the same fervor. Big RED and Little RED come to mind, the last name being Herron (sp?).

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 9 Jul 2008 11:54 am

Ray, Big Red and Little Red were the Hayes brothers. There was also Fiddlig Red Herron who was a super player also. Best regards, Jody.

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 9 Jul 2008 11:58 am

Sorry 'bout that...........

I'll recognize my error.

Thank you for the correction.

They were with Ray Price's touring band when Leon Rhodes invited me to complete their tour back to Nashville with the band. Must've been during the late 1960's?

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 9 Jul 2008 10:54 pm

Lets not forget the awesome celtic players.
Liz Carroll, Paddy Reynolds, Kevin Burke,
Maire Breatnach, Eileen Ivers, Alasdair Fraser,

The late great Johnny Cunningham from
Silly Wizard, Relativity, Nightnoise and Raindogs.

And the awesome Frankie Gavin from De dannan.

Cape Bretan has Ashley MacIsaac, Jerry Holland
Buddy MacMaster, Uncle of Natalie MacMaster .

Then from the Chieftan's Martin Fay, Seán Keane.

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 9 Jul 2008 11:08 pm

my top 3:
Vassar Clements
Scotty Stoneman
Johnny Gimble

and I'll always remember meeting Chubby Wise.

Stuart Duncan and Alison Krauss are a couple of my current favorites.

Rebecca Zapen is doing amazing things on the violin too.

Danny Crelin · Post by **Danny Crelin** » 10 Jul 2008 5:01 am

I would mention Reggie Rueffer and Clinton Gregory. Not all-time as of yet but getting there. Reggie is a definite MONSTER on that thang!!!

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 10 Jul 2008 5:01 am

Leon Balinger. Jody.

Michael Clark · Post by **Michael Clark** » 10 Jul 2008 5:32 am

Sam Bush, Michael Cleveland

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 10 Jul 2008 4:35 pm

I beleive that in West Coast Fiddle players that Billy Armstrong was one of the finest. Billy had his own Western Swing Band for years, also worked with the Sons of the Pioneers, Cliffie Stone's Home Town Jamboree, and had the house band at Tex William's Village dance hall and club in Newhall, Ca. until the Freeway took it out. In later years Billy worked a single on Cruise Ships. He was not only a fiddle player but a real Entertainer. Unfortunately a few years ago while working on a cruise ship he suffered a stroke and as far as I know has not been able to play any more.

Don Drummer · Post by **Don Drummer** » 10 Jul 2008 7:18 pm

Theresa, definitly Larry Franklin. He played on "Heavy Duty Beauty" On the "A" session track of Taylor Made a group from wva. I have always like the fiddle playing of Kenny Baker who played with Bill Monroe. One of the hippest fiddlin was the trio on Reno and Harrol's "Almost To Reno". I'm pretty sure Vasser was on that also.

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 11 Jul 2008 4:36 am

Don Reed, South Mountain, Canada

Norma Jean Lucas · Post by **Norma Jean Lucas** » 11 Jul 2008 5:55 am

I think Jennee' Keener should be in this as well. She plays with Terry Clark.

Charlie St Denis · Post by **Charlie St Denis** » 11 Jul 2008 5:58 am

Hey Kids
Completely slipped my mind but Rob Hajacos has
a sound and style that are easily recognized.

Charlie

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 11 Jul 2008 7:00 pm

Mighty " Merle Haggard " , " Jimmy Bryant " & " Dick Morris ". These guys can pick a fiddle.> Leo J.Eiffert,Jr. & Pigeons with Thunder Country. <

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 11 Jul 2008 8:03 pm

I'll cast a vote for my friend Chris Whitten (late of the Kevin Fowler Band). If you've seen him play, you know. Also, Warren Hood (Champ Hood's son).

Both of these young gentlemen know how to rosin up a bow, so to speak.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

JERRY THURMOND · Post by **JERRY THURMOND** » 12 Jul 2008 4:01 am

The late Great Benny Martin.

Jerry

Perry Hansen · Post by **Perry Hansen** » 13 Jul 2008 11:54 am

Paul Harper--Fiddlin' Katy Warren. Billy Hill.

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 13 Jul 2008 4:36 pm

Let's not forget Wanda Vick and Tammy Rogers.

Charlie St Denis · Post by **Charlie St Denis** » 15 Jul 2008 12:05 pm

Another one not mentioned that was a real
inspiration as a gentleman and fiddler
was the late Jimmy Gateley who use to work
with Whisperin Bill.

Charlie

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 15 Jul 2008 6:20 pm

David Vornado. Jody.

Chuck Cusimano · Post by **Chuck Cusimano** » 17 Jul 2008 11:18 am

There are a lot of names I never heard before, and a bunch of names I DO know. One of the BEST fiddlers I ever got to work with was MERLE DAVID in Odessa, Tx. and I had the pleasure of working with JOE STEPHENSON in Lubbock, and I have the pleasure of working with DALE MORRIS JR. as a regular member of "Country Night Live" every Tuesday night in Fort Worth.

Others I have worked that are great and have not been mentioned are: James Favor, Steve Soloman, The late great Rickey Solomon, Steve story, J.D. Smith, Dale Morris Sr., Al Mouladau and of course, (I think he was mentioned earlier,) "Snuffy" Randy Elmore.
Texas is loaded with great fiddle players, and I'll leave someone out, and for that I can only defend myself by saying, "Sorry I'm old and forgetful" Time is running out here at the library, so I'll close for now. GREAT THREAD!

to be continued.....P.S. How about "RICKEY TURPIN',
MAC McCRAY,.......?

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 17 Jul 2008 7:33 pm

Another West Coast Fiddle player that IMHO was as good as any others previously mentioned was Harvey Walker. Harvey worked for decades at Knott's Berry Farm as an entertainer and Entertainment Director. He led a group at the old "Wagon Camp" at the Farm which is no longer there. Harvey played any style that was called for: Western Swing, Country, Blue Grass, Cowboy, Jazz. Harvey would book his own gigs and put together a group to fit the venue. You really had to be on top of your "Axe" to keep up with Harvey. I recently talked with Harvey and he was still working part time at the Farm in administration.

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