![Tunesmiths](https://cdn.magzter.com/1444081353/1662400023/articles/AmjFWxpQ-1665493461725/TUNESMITHS-.jpg)
Stefan Curl is one of my long-time "As I was saying..." friends: those friends we're fortunate to have where, after not seeing one another for years, you can meet and say "As I was saying..." and simply carry on with your conversation. We've long been carrying on just such a continuing colloquy, about music, the philosophy of time, friendship - always engaging, never conclusive.
Stefan also wrote "Race the River Jordan," one of my favorite "new" fiddle tunes - although he wrote it on banjo, a long time ago. The winding path this tune - and title - have taken constitute another kind of continuing conversation. I pilfered the intriguing, mysterious title for a song (musically unrelated), which became the title track of my first album of original old-time style fiddle tunes, Race the River Jordan (Yodel-ay-hee, 1995). Though I've championed Stefan's actual tune, I didn't record it until 10 years later, as a member of Childsplay, on Heaven and Earth (2005) - where it is medleyed with my song, just to make things even more confusing!
So, in finally sharing this great tune, I thought it would be good to also share the tune's story, if only to set the record straight. (In fact, Stefan tells me he's been chastized by some for stealing my title for his tune, which as you'll see is exactly backwards in any case, as it turns out, you cannot copyright a title.)
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Denne historien er fra Fall 2022-utgaven av Fiddler Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![Bluegrass Fiddling](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11593/1061178/GXGN2-Kp51665497540100/BLUEGRASS-FIDDLING.jpg)
Bluegrass Fiddling
Mac Magaha-Nashville's Dancing Fiddler
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The Intrepid Fiddler
Busking in the Digital Age
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Isle of Birds
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Jody's Column
"Broken Down Gambler" as played by The Skillet Lickers
![Tunesmiths](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11593/1061178/AmjFWxpQ-1665493461725/TUNESMITHS-.jpg)
Tunesmiths
A Favorite Tune and its Mysterious Title
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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.
![Ingredients of Fiddle Tunes](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/11593/1061178/gVU6NvN8G1665492779412/INGREDIENTS-OF-FIDDLE-TUNES.jpg)
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.
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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.
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Violin Maker's Corner
Fundamental Friction Facts for Fiddler Folks
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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.