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Hey everybody,
I'm well versed in some genres of music, but not too knowledgeable about the country and bluegrass fiddle greats. Since I'm learning the violin now, and I would like to one day play some bluegrass with a band or for dances (i.e. contra type), it's time for me to start getting an education. What are some of your favorite bands/ fiddlers that I should listen to? I've always thought that part of playing music involves listening to others play. I'd love to hear some of your suggestions.
P.S. Also, I know this is a country forum but... I also like Irish tunes, so if you have any suggestions here, I would like that also... or really any genre that has someone doing something interesting on the violin would be appreciated...
Cheers!
Jason
Well, that's a tall order. The list is too long but there is a lot to surf on YouTube.
However, if there is one fiddler at the top of the list it is Michael Cleveland.
The attached clip is Michael just warming up and having fun and playing way beyond the reach of mere mortals.
MrBison said
P.S. Also, I know this is a country forum but... I also like Irish tunes, so if you have any suggestions here, I would like that also... or really any genre that has someone doing something interesting on the violin would be appreciated...
Cheers!
Jason
Welcome Jason
You are wrong about one thing. This is not a country forum but rather a forum of violinist, fiddlers and anything else you want to call it. People here are very diverse and play all types of music from classical to rock to country to Irish. Check through the forums and you can find many links to Irish posts.
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Haha.. Had this been a country forum I would have been expunged long ago 🙂 Especially since I don't really care much for country. It doesn't mean I dislike it.. But I don't think you'd ever hear me play country^^ Or anything similar for that matter 😛
"Art, as far as it is able, follows nature, as a pupil imitates his master; thus your art must be, as it were, God's grandchild."
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Oops. I didn't really mean the forum overall is a country forum, but rather this particular "subforum" (if there is such a thing?) is labeled as "country"... That's all I meant by the country part.
Thanks for all the replies!
@Oliver Yeah I guess that guy is all right... 
lol, thanks for the post! Awesome!
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Oliver said
Did it become apparent that Michael is blind ?
I couldn't say for sure. Thanks for confirming^^ He was going by audio clues all the time, and didn't care where he was looking. And it struck me as odd that he would look to the roof when the people were cheering 🙂 I often tilted my head backwards before^^ I mean. Close your eyes, and turn your face to the sky, and imagine cheering. It feels natural 🙂 It could just have been a tick. I wrote it off as that. As super-skilled musicians often have a quirk or two 😛
But big cheers for him, being able to have so transparent, unbiased happiness! It is really impressive. Both listening to him play, and seeing his complete joy and dedication to the music 
"Art, as far as it is able, follows nature, as a pupil imitates his master; thus your art must be, as it were, God's grandchild."
Just thinking out loud about Michael ...... he has been national fiddle champ (SPBGMA) for 9 different years beginning in 2001. I wonder who bested him on the other years !!??
If you've had enough about Michael here's a clip about a Celtic roots favorite.
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WOW, Michael Cleveland is awesome. Thanks Oliver
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Thanks for the explanation Barry.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Historically speaking, I forgot a country giant .... Roy Clark who performed on guitar, mandolin, banjo, violin and harmonica. (Remember HEE-HAW?)
That's just about impossible 
Honorary advisor
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Oliver said
Historically speaking, I forgot a country giant .... Roy Clark who performed on guitar, mandolin, banjo, violin and harmonica. (Remember HEE-HAW?)
That's just about impossible
My Mom was a huge fan of Hee-Haw and we watched it every week. There were many amazing musicians on that show - I wish now that I had paid more attention.
Mary in Springfield, Oregon http://www.thefiddleandbanjopr.....dpress.com
It was not only that he (Roy Clark) "played at" the different instruments, he was virtuoso class at every one. There have been some great country musicians around since then but I'm not aware of any that matched his talents.
There are a lot of fiddlers thatI like to listen to some of those being already listened to. Probably my favorites are Mark O'connor, Vassar Clements, and Andy Leftwich.
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Whats for supper grandpa?
No matter where you go, there you are!
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Late bloomer said
Whats for supper grandpa?
Actually, the proper quotation is 'Hey grandpa, what's for supper?"
I grew up on Hee Haw, and you can still catch reruns of it on RFDTV [I think]. Roy Clark is amazing - I was fortunate enough to get to watch him play banjo close up once. There was no doubt I was in the presence of greatness! I wish he would have busted out the fiddle too. There was also a Hee Haw magazine. If you ever get a chance to read one, they're a hoot!
Yum, yum!
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yes , your right. Great show!
No matter where you go, there you are!
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