Jim Eanes - Wiggle Worm Wiggle (1954)

Decca 29112. Born Homer Robert Eanes, Jr., 6 December 1923, Mountain Valley, Henry County, Virginia

Died 21 November 1995, Virginia

Born Homer Robert Eanes, "Jim" started playing at the age of 9 using the guitar bought for him by his father and by the age of 16 had elevated to vocalising in Roy Hall's Blue Ridge Entertainers.

Eanes made his first solo recordings in 1949, having spent the previous years backing a host of musicians which included Flatt & Scruggs and Bill Monroe, while also showing himself to be a prolific song-writer (among others, he co-wrote the Hank Williams hit 'Wedding Bells'). Eanes formed his own band, The Shenandoah Valley Boys in 1951 and, several recording contracts later, Eanes and the band found themselves contracted to Decca where his bluegrass style was toned down in favour of a more traditional country style and which brought him some regional success, but not sufficient to prompt Decca to extend his contract. When Starday Records offered him a contract in 1956, Eanes assembled a new Shenandoah Valley Boys with banjo player Allen Shelton, fiddler Roy Russell, and bassist Arnold Terry. Considered one of bluegrass music's classic bands, this group continued into 1964 with minor personnel changes.

Eanes continued recording for various labels throughout the 60's and 70's, while reverting to his first love of bluegrass music in the mid 60's with a series of albums featuring both his own band and the band of Red Smiley (which Eanes renamed The Shenandoah Cutups). With limited commercial success, the band were disbanded in 1970, leaving him to continue alone.

Eanes continued with his heavy touring schedule which included reunion festivals with Bill Monroe and frequent visits to Europe, recording his final solo album, '50th Anniversary', in Belgium in 1982. Eanes had suffered heart problems since a major heart attack in 1978, and despite this and further heart surgery in 1986, and being diagnosed with emphysema in 1990, he continued touring and recording with Bobby Atkins, albeit on a smaller scale.

Jim Eanes died in Virginia on November 21st, 1995 due to congestive heart failure.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Hillbilly

[6Blondin]

Great!!! I love that song since i bought C.D. Of this artist about 10 y. ago.Basic American roots

[LeakFreak]

@JudgeSturdy Monroe! That's his name. I couldn't remember what it was but, could remember watching him and Ricky Skaggs do it on The Grand Ole Opry when I was little. Thanks for the answer, now I know! =~D

(Now I have "Uncle Pen" in my head now.)

[JudgeSturdy]

@LeakFreak

Monroe's Uncle Pen came before this one.

[LeakFreak]

So, Ricky Skaggs ripped off the music for Uncle Pen? They sound strangely alike. This is a little slower, but the same. =~\

[mmw453]

my good friend,Jim Eanes, glad to see his music being kept alive here on you tube.