Remembering Clark Kessinger
Fiddler Magazine|Winter 2016/17

 A 1982 Interview with Clark's friend, Billy C. Hurt

Peter Anick
Remembering Clark Kessinger

Reading the interview with Billy C. Hurt, Jr. in the Winter 2015/16 issue brought back memories of a road trip I took back in 1982 with fellow fiddler Dave Reiner. We were doing research for our Mel Bay book, Old Time Fiddling Across America, and had stopped in at the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention. The convention, situated in western Virginia, drew in many fiddlers from the neighboring states of North Carolina, Kentucky, and West Virginia. As you might imagine, the range of fiddle styles within earshot was considerable, spanning many dialects of old time, mountain music, and bluegrass. Toting our cassette recorders, we wandered up and down the aisles of the campground from jam session to jam session seeking out potential informants. One of the folks we met there was Billy C. Hurt (Senior), who we learned had been a good friend of Clark Kessinger, one of the greatest old time fiddlers of his day. Billy was pleased to share memories of his friend and we incorporated excerpts of his interview into our write-up about Clark in our book. Many years later, I had the opportunity to return to the Galax convention and I sought out some of the folks I had met during our first visit. I was pleasantly surprised to run into Billy’s son, Billy Hurt, Jr., who, just as his dad had hoped, had grown up to be a fine fiddler himself, and a passionate proponent of Kessinger’s signature fiddle style.

A few weeks ago, I dug out the cassettes from that 1982 trip to Galax and rewound to the beginning of the interview with Billy C. Hurt, Sr. Billy’s voice still rang out strong above the blue-grass band playing in the background. A small group had gathered around to listen in as I positioned the microphone and Billy launched into an enthusiastic eulogy for his celebrated friend…

Esta historia es de la edición Winter 2016/17 de Fiddler Magazine.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición Winter 2016/17 de Fiddler Magazine.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE FIDDLER MAGAZINEVer todo
Bluegrass Fiddling
Fiddler Magazine

Bluegrass Fiddling

Mac Magaha-Nashville's Dancing Fiddler

time-read
1 min  |
Fall 2022
The Intrepid Fiddler
Fiddler Magazine

The Intrepid Fiddler

Busking in the Digital Age

time-read
5 minutos  |
Fall 2022
Isle of Birds
Fiddler Magazine

Isle of Birds

Scottish Fiddling with Pete Clark

time-read
4 minutos  |
Fall 2022
Jody's Column
Fiddler Magazine

Jody's Column

"Broken Down Gambler" as played by The Skillet Lickers

time-read
3 minutos  |
Fall 2022
Tunesmiths
Fiddler Magazine

Tunesmiths

A Favorite Tune and its Mysterious Title

time-read
7 minutos  |
Fall 2022
On Improvisation
Fiddler Magazine

On Improvisation

In this On Improvisation column, we'll be discussing Mr. (or Ms.) Pinky, as he (or she) is known to his (or her) friends.

time-read
4 minutos  |
Fall 2022
Ingredients of Fiddle Tunes
Fiddler Magazine

Ingredients of Fiddle Tunes

After several years of teaching and playing at the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, Washington, Marc Savoy, accordion maker and player, said he did not want to return.

time-read
6 minutos  |
Fall 2022
Glen Harrell - Turn up the Volume
Fiddler Magazine

Glen Harrell - Turn up the Volume

In just a little over 10 years since its formation, Volume Five has become one of the most popular bluegrass bands in the industry. The reason is obvious: distinctive, strong vocals, quality instrumentation, well-chosen bluegrass and gospel songs in its repertoire, and a dedicated leader of the band.

time-read
5 minutos  |
Fall 2022
Violin Maker's Corner
Fiddler Magazine

Violin Maker's Corner

Fundamental Friction Facts for Fiddler Folks

time-read
5 minutos  |
Fall 2022
Murray Kuun: Non-traditional Violin Maker
Fiddler Magazine

Murray Kuun: Non-traditional Violin Maker

Murray Kuun is a woodworker and luthier living in South Africa, where he builds violins and other instruments. In a recent interview, he told us about his path to becoming a maker of instruments with innovative designs.

time-read
2 minutos  |
Fall 2022