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SFR-DU-33023
FRAZIER MOSS: All Fiddler!
Featuring
FRAZIER MOSS… Fiddle
JOHN HENRY DEMPS.. Rhythm Guitar, Vocal (side 2, no.5)
JACK SALLEE…Banjo, Vocal (side2, no.5)
DEWITT WOODMORE… Lead Guitar
EDDIE YOUNG…String Bass
1 Paddy On The Turnpike 2:39
2 Over The Waves Waltz 2:52
3 I’m Leaving With A Smile 1:54
4 Washington and Lee Swing 2:24
5 Festival Waltz 3:12
6 Champagne Polka 2:48
7 Grey Eagle 2:25
8 Roxanna Waltz 1:53
9 Rubber Dolly 2:00
10 Dark Hollow 3:09
11 Kiss Me Waltz 2:11
12 St. Anne’s Reel 2:01
To even the newest fiddle enthusiast and convention goer in the Southeastern
United States, the name of Frazier Moss is likely to be a household word!
It is, indeed, a rare contest that doesn’t have the name of this highly
repected Cookville, Tennessee Fiddler listed as one of the contestants
in the senior fiddler competition. And, Frazier’s reputation as one of
the “meanest” (in the best sense of the word!) old-time fiddlers around
is certainly well deserved! It is truly a rare fiddle contest that doesn’t
see Frazier Moss as; one of the senior fiddler finalists, the Senior Division
Champion, or the overall Contest Champion, or all three! And then, I ‘m
not sure they would all fit. Among his many titles are such outstanding
ones as: Renfro Valley Fiddle King, Mid-Tennessee Senior Fiddle King,
Southeastern Regional Fiddle Champion, and Tennessee Valley Fiddle King.
It is interesting to note that Frazier is one of only two men (the other
being James Bryan) that have ever won the prized title of Tennessee Valley
Fiddle King Twice! And one could go on with the list of championships
and awards, or a lengthy discussion of techniques used might be appropriate
at this point. Frazier does have a very ‘fluid’ and flowing style, and
his fingers are truly a blur of activity to watch while he is playing
! However, there is another side to this fine musician—a more personal
side. As great a champion fiddler as he is , Frazier Moss must also be
regarded as a great person! In the years that I have been privileged to
know him, I have yet to see anything but a smile on his face and a cheerful
word to the people around him. Hence, a subtitle for this album could
easily have been, “All Gentleman!” But we think that you will find that
“All Fiddler!” is quite appropriate to describe Frazier. His prowess with
the instrument has already been mentioned. To round out the picture one
needs to go no farther than the tune titles for this album. Obviously,
there are a number of different styles represented here, and all are played
with the brilliance that one would associate with an “All Fiddler!”
Providing the backup music for the fiddling of Frazier Moss is a group
of extremely talented musicians. All good fiddlers have equally accomplished
rhythm men assisting them, and Frazier Moss is no exception. John Henry
Demps of Sparta, Tennessee (actually John lives in the Doyle Community
near Sparta) is a familiar sight at fiddlers’ conventions and has accompanied
Frazier to many conventions in numerous parts of the country (for example,
Frazier, John, and banjo player, Jack Sallee, spent several weeks in Wyoming
this summer with fiddler friend Harold Donelson. Additionally they competed
at the National Old Time Fiddlers Championships in Weiser, Idaho.) John
Demps’ musical career has been varied and lengthy. His abilities are not
limited to the rhythm guitar—he has been known to play the mandolin and
fiddle also. In addition to fiddlers’ conventions John has appeared on
TV and radio shows and also has played several show dates with Bill Monroe,
and with Bill Jones and the Crazy Mountain Boys. His own group, The Calf
Killer Ramblers, is in constant demand for shows and is planning an album
of their own shortly. Not bad for a fellow born on Friday the 13th!
The fine 5-string banjo picking heard on this album is provided by Jack
Sallee of Cookeville, Tennessee. Although a native of Jefferson County,
Arkansas, Jack has really become a part of Tennessee in that he lives
on and works his own farm just outside Cookeville. In addition Jack is
employed as a history teacher in the Cookeville High School. Additionally,
Jack has a great love of hunting and, as this album will highlight he
“ most assuredly loves to play the banjo.”
Rounding out the group are; Dewitt (Dee) Woodmore, a very successful farmer
from Hartsville, Tennessee, who plays one of the finest lead guitars in
the Mid-Tennessee area, and Eddie Young whose string bass playing ties
the whole rhythm package up in a fine fashion.
Here then is fiddling at its best coupled with an outstanding group of
supporting musicians. We hope this combination will serve to provide you
with a memorable listening experience every time you play this album!
Steve Davis
Davis Unlimited Records
October 1975
RECORDED BY CHARLES K. BUTLER
Produced by Charles K. Butler & Steve Davis