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Traditional Music from Grayson and Carroll Counties

Various Artists
Traditional Music from Grayson and Carroll Counties

Bordering each other in southwestern Virginia, Grayson and Carroll counties have a distinctive musical heritage. An important banjo technique, variously called “clawhammer,” “flailing the banjo,” or “thumbnoting,” captured the interest of collectors Eric Davidson and Paul Newman, who set out to record examples of this indigenous style.

Recorded between 1958 and 1961, the songs and tunes are believed to be representative of the traditional musical heritage of the area. How do we know? According to elderly locals, the style of the music on this album is similar to what they remember as far back as their grandparents’ day.

Liner notes include a social and musical history of Grayson and Carroll counties, song notes and lyrics, and performer biographies.

Track Listing

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101
Vester Jones
03:22
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102
Glen Smith
02:51
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103
Glen Smith
02:04
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104
Wade Ward
01:29
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105
Glen Neaves, Roscoe Russell, and Ivor Melton
02:28
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106
Vester Jones
02:49
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107
Glen and Frank Smith
01:21
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108
Vester Jones
03:26
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109
Glen Smith
02:42
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110
Wade Ward
01:07
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111
Vester Jones
02:25
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112
Glen and Frank Smith
01:56
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113
Ed Spencer
01:29
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201
Vester Jones
02:19
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202
Glen Smith
02:10
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203
Vester Jones
02:27
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204
Glen Smith
02:03
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205
Ed Spencer
01:08
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206
Vester Jones
02:18
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207
Glen Smith
02:50
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208
Wade Ward
01:06
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209
Glen Neaves, Roscoe Russell, and Ivor Melton
02:12
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210
Glen Smith
03:35
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211
Glen Smith
01:40
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212
Vester Jones
02:24
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213
Glen Smith
02:05
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214
Glen Neaves and Roscoe Russell
02:52