George Pegram - John Henry

The first fiddler's convention I ever attended was at J. Pierce Van Hoy's cow pasture near Union Grove, NC in April 1971. It was held in a 3-ring circus tent and had probably over 100,000 attendees. The most memorable performance to me was George Pegram doing "John Henry." He was recorded by Rounder records on Rounder #0001 in 1970. He was quite a dynamic figure in a live performance.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• John
• Henry
• George
• Pegram
• bluegrass

[vernote]

Saw George at the 1970 Union Grove and he did "Little 'ol Log Cabin by the Lane" so soulful, I thought he must have written it!

[warehambr]

@vernote That tune is on the CD, Rounder #0001.

[mrgildons]

Really good old time pickin' and fiddlin'!

[warehambr]

@guywolff , SCbroadcaser has posted it and it's fabulous! An instant favorite for me. That's what I like about YouTube, being able to get stuff like that out.

[guywolff]

@warehambr ME Too !!!

[warehambr]

@scbroadcaster If it is on a tape or vinyl, you need to get it converted to digital. I have a friend with that capability. As far as the video goes, use Windows Movie Maker that comes with most computers these days. If you don't have a picture, I'll be glad to send you the cover from the Rounder record #0001. I'd love to hear it. He was indeed an exciting entertainer in alive performance.

[scbroadcaster]

@UncleMacJug I've got the recording. I've just got to figure out how to make a video.

[warehambr]

@UncleMacJug, I can believe it, because that is when I first saw George Pegram at Union Grove. What record was he recorded live on?

[UncleMacJug]

This is not the live recording in question, which is far superior to this recording. The live recording from 1971 may be the most jaw-dropping clawhammer solo banjo performance ever recorded. Somebody post it, please!

[colindominy]

The fiddler in this fabulous photo is a famous guy named "Lost John" Ray. He appeared in David Hoffman's 1965 first-ever released doco, "Bluegrass Roots - Music Makers of The Blue Ridge". Lost John was also a member of a wonderful Old-Time Stringband named The Brushy Mountain Boys. These boys hailed from Nth Wilkesboro NC, & they appear on the awesome 1962 Folkways LP FA2434 "The 37th Old Time Fiddlers Convention", Union Grove, NC. - track 7, featuring an awesome fiddle lead by Lost John.