An overview of the career of Clark Kessinger, 2007 inductee in the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. For more information, go to www.wvmusichalloffame.com.
Thanks for this. I still have his Folkways LP from the late 60's and have always thought he was the best old-time fiddler I've ever heard, but I never knew much about him until now.
I’m from W.Va. Born there. Parents from Beckley. Aunts, Uncles, grandparents, great grandparents, etc. also from there. Once my dad told me about someone that would come by the house every now and then and they would all play on the front porch. This visiting fiddle player wasn’t welcomed by my dad since dad would have to keep the dog(s?) quiet the whole time. My full given name is Gregory Clark Kessinger and at almost 70 years have never taken up the fiddle. Bought my first Kessinger album in Charleston at some heritage/museum building downtown. Love to listen, but never tried to play. Maybe it’s not too late to honor my namesake. Anyone know where I can get a good used fiddle? ;-)
@ol5string yes he did they did a lot of picking together had radio shows and played a lot of fiddlers conventions Jack was a good musician their music was awesome Draper was one of three towns that merged back in 1967 and are now one town known as Eden.
@mmw453 Did Gene ever pick with a man named Jack Earles(banjo) from Axton VA?According to Jack's son he and Gene and Clark got together from time to time and jammed.I wished i was around back then,it had to have been awesome.If i'm not mistaken they played a radio show in the town of Draper or Eden,NC.
this is wonderful, i didnt discover this until today, my husband Gene Meade played the guitar with Clark for a lot of years.
Thanks for this. I still have his Folkways LP from the late 60's and have always thought he was the best old-time fiddler I've ever heard, but I never knew much about him until now.
He was cosidered the,"smoothest" of all the old time fiddlers. He also had the best timing!
Thanks for posting this, one of the all time greats!
This is fantastic, Thanks,
Clark is the bes there is.
I’m from W.Va. Born there. Parents from Beckley. Aunts, Uncles, grandparents, great grandparents, etc. also from there. Once my dad told me about someone that would come by the house every now and then and they would all play on the front porch. This visiting fiddle player wasn’t welcomed by my dad since dad would have to keep the dog(s?) quiet the whole time. My full given name is Gregory Clark Kessinger and at almost 70 years have never taken up the fiddle. Bought my first Kessinger album in Charleston at some heritage/museum building downtown. Love to listen, but never tried to play. Maybe it’s not too late to honor my namesake. Anyone know where I can get a good used fiddle? ;-)
@ol5string yes he did they did a lot of picking together had radio shows and played a lot of fiddlers conventions Jack was a good musician their music was awesome Draper was one of three towns that merged back in 1967 and are now one town known as Eden.
@mmw453 Did Gene ever pick with a man named Jack Earles(banjo) from Axton VA?According to Jack's son he and Gene and Clark got together from time to time and jammed.I wished i was around back then,it had to have been awesome.If i'm not mistaken they played a radio show in the town of Draper or Eden,NC.
he is good