This made me cry. :) Clark was my cousin, and I dearly wish that I could have met him before he died. I am a violinist, but a classical one. I could never hope to play like that, although I did get the chance to play that very violin once - a sort of family perk. It's really an amazing instrument, but it was graced with an even more amazing player.
Man .. it's a wonder Clark don't burn up that fiddle .. the way he saws is simply amazing. This footage is just so, so good, and very precious !! Clark has got to be amongst the very best of the old-time fiddlers !! Great to see him in action here, thank you so much !
Clark Kessinger was the first old-time fiddler I ever heard some 40 years ago, and I knew awesome when I heard it even back then. I still have his old folkways LP. Thanks for posting this.
Fantastic! I have been a Clark Kessinger fan since I bought his "Legends" LP back in around 1973. I never did get to see the man but seeing this video now is pure joy thanks what a fiddler -- greased lightning!
It was Clark Kessinger's version of Ragtime Annie on a "County" reissue recording that I heard back in the 70's that got me to take up the fiddle. From that time on, he has been my favorite old time fiddle player. His noting and bowing is so clear and clean.
to Sandra Stark. guitar picker is (was) Gene Meade fom Draper n.c. You can lean up against his picking it is that strong. first time to-day that I saw a film-clip w. him. awesome!
An unsurpassed example of our American musical roots. Equaled only by our African-American brothers and sisters. Our frontier forefathers and mothers danced to these tunes on Saturdays.
I will and am glad to have learned of this great man and others. I heard his name on Bruce Molsky channel "Allthingsstrings". Wish I had more time to spend here and find good music and pickers from around the world.
man where are these guys today? i know there are alot of wonderful fiddlers but not with the same energy and passion..and showmanship..like Stringbean, Grandpa Jones, Ronnie Stoneman, Tommy Jarrell. Chubby Wise, and folks like that, man were just fun to watch as well as listen too..this is great stuff..
I think you're right in that is Jimmy Driftwood. I have a funny (to me anyway) Jimmy Driftwood story. I grew up in Arkansas, as did Jimmy. Many years ago I heard that Jimmy was going to be at a local State Park where he would play his new album in the park's amphitheater. My girlfriend and I went, expecting him to perform live. He literally did play the album on a turntable, discussing the song's before he'd drop the needle. It was a hoot--in truth he did play a few live as well but I will never forget this....
Bobby Taylor, who studied with Clark, has Clark's fiddle and plays Clark's tunes on it. Bobby also has loan of Ed Haley's fiddle. I have photos of Bobby playing both fiddles.
Alan Lomax also filmed Kessinger in a house at Newport, and Vestapol released a video (*I think it's the one called "Blackberry Blossoms") with Kessinger fiddling seven more tunes. There are lots of other performers on the film, too.
Play it sweet boy ! Man .. that's real fiddlin ! You won't get it any better than this, folks. This is fiddle music played in the good old way .. the right way. Mr Kissinger is more sprightly at 71 yrs of age than most boys half his age. Boy don't he enjoy his music, what with his body-language & all. Looks like Mr Kissinger has done some mean dancin in his time, too .. a back-up money-earner, maybe, from them Great Depression Days. Now, dagetage & meanfidler below, they there speak the truth !
RE: the post that said Clark wasnt within 500 miles of Canada. Maybe not in person, but his early 78 recordings were issued all throughout Canada, some were only issued in Quebec Province. The Boarding House Bells are Ringing Waltz was released with the name being in French. Clark Kessinger's influence has went far and wide. Also, they labeled Sandy River Bells wrong as Tug Boat, so that's why the Texan's call it that yet today.
Been researching this clip, I can't find it available or even mentioned on Mel Bay's site, but it is listed as an item that ONCE was available from Vestapol Videos just search Billy in the Lowgrounds and Vestapol Videos). We have an article on Clark on the West Virginia Encyclopedia site.
He was champion many years ago. His nephew, Robin Kessinger was national champion guitar picker at least once. His brother was as good on a mandolin as Clark was on a fiddle. They all were the area around Charleston,WV where Robin still lives, and teaches guitar. Drop in and see us if your ever around Nitro, WV.
Run his name on UA-cam search. He is all over Canadian Folk Channel. He is one of the best old time style fiddlers. The long bow TX style long ago took over for contest fiddling. They are all much better then I am after 30 yrs of playing. And all can be learned from.
It was Jimmy Driftwood, who was running a sort of "contest" (but I think it was just a way to get all the great fiddlers onstage to play one tune and allow the audience to compare styles). As a Rhode Islander, I could get to Newport to see that great folk festival and many of my heroes. Clark had more energy than any man in his seventies has any right to have, and most of his fiddling was one-note-per-bow--that alone requires a great deal of energy, nevermind his jigging around while he was playing.
This made me cry. :) Clark was my cousin, and I dearly wish that I could have met him before he died. I am a violinist, but a classical one. I could never hope to play like that, although I did get the chance to play that very violin once - a sort of family perk. It's really an amazing instrument, but it was graced with an even more amazing player.
9 years since this post, have you ever attempted to try to play in his style?
I'm pretty sure he's either a great great etc.
grandfather or uncle of mine! Hi fam!
I wish I could play guitar like that.
Man that run the guitar player throws in there ! Now that is some Fiddlin !
The great Wayne Hauser on banjo from Rural Hall, NC
Man .. it's a wonder Clark don't burn up that fiddle .. the way he saws is simply amazing. This footage is just so, so good, and very precious !! Clark has got to be amongst the very best of the old-time fiddlers !! Great to see him in action here, thank you so much !
Clark Kessinger was the first old-time fiddler I ever heard some 40 years ago, and I knew awesome when I heard it even back then. I still have his old folkways LP. Thanks for posting this.
Playing accurately at that speed is on another level! Great job Clark
I have played with him in beer joints, in charleston w va ❤
Fantastic! I have been a Clark Kessinger fan since I bought his "Legends" LP back in around 1973. I never did get to see the man but seeing this video now is pure joy thanks what a fiddler -- greased lightning!
It was Clark Kessinger's version of Ragtime Annie on a "County" reissue recording that I heard back in the 70's that got me to take up the fiddle. From that time on, he has been my favorite old time fiddle player. His noting and bowing is so clear and clean.
Several time fiddlin' champion..and possibly the best that ever lived..
man he was killing it! so awesome!
to Sandra Stark. guitar picker is (was) Gene Meade fom Draper n.c. You can lean up against his picking it is that strong. first time to-day that I saw a film-clip w. him. awesome!
They recording of them three at galax it was unreal for their time
Wow!!! I listened to him decades ago. Didn't believe I'd find him on youtube. Very cool. The best there ever was
He sounds amazing! AND he's DANCING'!
An unsurpassed example of our American musical roots. Equaled only by our African-American brothers and sisters. Our frontier forefathers and mothers danced to these tunes on Saturdays.
One of the best.
All I can say is...amazing!!
I love the way he danced around while he played.
Just to dhow you once you have it ,it never leaves ,What fine music coming off that thar bow
I will and am glad to have learned of this great man and others. I heard his name on Bruce Molsky channel "Allthingsstrings". Wish I had more time to spend here and find good music and pickers from around the world.
And the oh so talented guitarist Gene Meade
This guy was great! You can tell he really enjoyed his music, and that what it is all really about, isn't it?
Terrific! Thanks for sharing.
Fantastic to actually see Clark Kessinger play!! Thank you for sharing this great clip!
Amazing. It's really fun to hear Bobby Taylor talk about this guy.
clark didn't have to go so hard but he did anyway... and I thank him for it
now thats how its done very good
man where are these guys today? i know there are alot of wonderful fiddlers but not with the same energy and passion..and showmanship..like Stringbean, Grandpa Jones, Ronnie Stoneman, Tommy Jarrell. Chubby Wise, and folks like that, man were just fun to watch as well as listen too..this is great stuff..
They are dead
I think you're right in that is Jimmy Driftwood. I have a funny (to me anyway) Jimmy Driftwood story. I grew up in Arkansas, as did Jimmy. Many years ago I heard that Jimmy was going to be at a local State Park where he would play his new album in the park's amphitheater. My girlfriend and I went, expecting him to perform live. He literally did play the album on a turntable, discussing the song's before he'd drop the needle. It was a hoot--in truth he did play a few live as well but I will never forget this....
After some reading, apparently it is called Sally Ann Johnson and played in "D" up north, but in the south they play it in "G" and call it Katy Hill.
Sure wish there were more Clark K. videos.
I remember my Grandmother telling me stories of her father getting wild on the fiddle...this is him alright. Thanks for posting this!
That's Hazel Dickens sitting in the back of the shot, patting her feet. Miss all those people!
You could tell she wanted to get up and dance.
And Alice Gerrard, next to her, leans over occasionally into the frame.
Bobby Taylor, who studied with Clark, has Clark's fiddle and plays Clark's tunes on it. Bobby also has loan of Ed Haley's fiddle. I have photos of Bobby playing both fiddles.
fantastic
Very good stuff...post more!!
incredible
Maybe in Canada or Maine. Not even close to the old timers like Benny Thomasson Major Franklin, lot of others. He's great and fun to watcch.
?
He is my 2nd cousin on my dads side. At 71 he had more energy than I do at 43!
Now THAT'S how you do it!
I listened to Bobby Hicks doing Katy Hill.
Alan Lomax also filmed Kessinger in a house at Newport, and Vestapol released a video (*I think it's the one called "Blackberry Blossoms") with Kessinger fiddling seven more tunes. There are lots of other performers on the film, too.
Steve Goldfield Where can you find this ?!
He's my ancestor!!!!
Authentic, right down to the "pegged" pants on the banjo and guitar players
Dave Mills i dont think too many on UA-cam know what pegged britches are 😊 Pike county ky/mingo county wv
Clark was considered the smoothest of all the old time fiddlers.
And also maybe the Elvis of OT music. Check out that hip action
Play it sweet boy ! Man .. that's real fiddlin ! You won't get it any better than this, folks. This is fiddle music played in the good old way .. the right way. Mr Kissinger is more sprightly at 71 yrs of age than most boys half his age. Boy don't he enjoy his music, what with his body-language & all. Looks like Mr Kissinger has done some mean dancin in his time, too .. a back-up money-earner, maybe, from them Great Depression Days. Now, dagetage & meanfidler below, they there speak the truth !
RE: the post that said Clark wasnt within 500 miles of Canada. Maybe not in person, but his early 78 recordings were issued all throughout Canada, some were only issued in Quebec Province. The Boarding House Bells are Ringing Waltz was released with the name being in French. Clark Kessinger's influence has went far and wide. Also, they labeled Sandy River Bells wrong as Tug Boat, so that's why the Texan's call it that yet today.
great
I could not agree more with this comment. Sweet Lord i hope he won.
ahh :) i love my Kessinger family :)
Been researching this clip, I can't find it available or even mentioned on Mel Bay's site, but it is listed as an item that ONCE was available from Vestapol Videos just search Billy in the Lowgrounds and Vestapol Videos). We have an article on Clark on the West Virginia Encyclopedia site.
Amazing fiddling yes but who's the guy on guitar? He's damn near good as Doc Watson!😉
yo garrett thats insane.
Incredible fiddler. The best of the best in my book. I think Elvis got some of his moves from Clark.
Holy crap he’s good
I'm clark kessinger's great grand son. Check out pirate hq-carol of the bells to hear me play( im the one in the vest with shecter
He was champion many years ago. His nephew, Robin Kessinger was national champion guitar picker at least once. His brother was as good on a mandolin as Clark was on a fiddle. They all were the area around Charleston,WV where Robin still lives, and teaches guitar. Drop in and see us if your ever around Nitro, WV.
Robin trained me on guitar
he use to play with my uncle, charlie lovejoy, in bars all over charleston ❤, i would sit in sometimes on mandolin
Run his name on UA-cam search. He is all over Canadian Folk Channel.
He is one of the best old time style fiddlers. The long bow TX style long ago took over for contest fiddling. They are all much better then I am after 30 yrs of playing. And all can be learned from.
He was the best at one time
Perfect music for a good clog dance.
@abmanc98 me too :)
His sister Lilly was my Great Grandmother
Pretty sure that's JIMMY DRIFTWOOD introducing Clark.
Doug Benson sure seems like it
It was Jimmy Driftwood, who was running a sort of "contest" (but I think it was just a way to get all the great fiddlers onstage to play one tune and allow the audience to compare styles). As a Rhode Islander, I could get to Newport to see that great folk festival and many of my heroes. Clark had more energy than any man in his seventies has any right to have, and most of his fiddling was one-note-per-bow--that alone requires a great deal of energy, nevermind his jigging around while he was playing.
Wonderful! And who was the guitar player?
my husband Gene Meade is playing guitar
People often ask who’s the best musicians are in the world. I ask how do we know they aren’t somewhere up in the hills of Appalachia?
this is hard to do
Kinfolk
That gene made on guitar I forgot the banjo players nam I picked with at galax once Clark is bout half drunk he was fiddler
Made not made
MEADE
"Now the last contestant is Clark Kessinger. . ." Clark won right? If not, who did?
I know he was three times national champion..doubt that he ever was within 500 miles of Canada though.
We had a concert with Clark Kessinger and Gene Meade in Boston once (1970 or 1971), so that's 300 miles from Montreal!
...sounds like Katy Hill to me !
wildwood valleyboy not much like Katy Hill
...you need to listen to a good recording of "Katy Hill " !...Sally Johnson is in 'A',...there's no such tune as Sally "ANN" Johnson ?
Now I'm sure the MC is (was) a fine gentleman,
but it's a bit embarrassing to such a fine musician introduced in such an off-hand way...
+Alexander Rudnicky That is none other than Jimmy Driftwood introducing Clark.