Eric Ellis Archives - Bluegrass Today

Fiddler Tim Smith and Friends

Bluegrass is one of the few genres of music in which instrumental skill is showcased just as much or more than vocal skill. As such, many of the best known tunes in bluegrass are instrumentals, made for showing off a picker’s skill. Tim Smith, a North Carolina-based fiddler, has recently released an album that does just that, showcasing his fiddling as well as the playing of some of his talented friends. A mixture of originals and old favorites, Fiddler Tim Smith and Friends is sure to be enjoyed by fans of traditionally-based fiddle music.

Smith, a former Bluegrass Cardinal who also spent time playing with Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse, The Country Gentleman, and numerous other groups, contributes eight originals to this project. Double Play is a Monroe-esque fiddle tune, with a nice chord progression similar to Wheel Hoss. Twin Oaks is an upbeat, toe-tapping traditional-sounding piece, while Oklahoma Road is a light and easygoing midtempo number. The album’s first single, Broadway Limited, was co-written by Smith along with David Guthrie. This tune is a classic train song, and features a nice interplay between the fiddle and dobro.

There’s a nice, slightly bluesy version of the Hank Williams Gospel song I Saw the Light (one of only a few tunes with vocals on the album) that fans of traditional bluegrass are sure to enjoy. The other religious piece here, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, is one of the album’s best cuts, with a slow, jazzy feel. Bill Monroe’s Ashland Breakdown is top-notch, with fine mandolin work from Wayne Benson. Whiskey Before Breakfast is done in a bit more of an old-time style, complete with clawhammer banjo.

The musicians who Smith has chosen to accompany him are first-rate, with Benson’s mandolin stylings particularly standing out. Zachary McLamb is solid on the bass, while Jeff Huffman’s guitar playing is to be commended, as well. These three, along with Eric Ellis on banjo, perform on the majority of the album’s tracks, but Smith is also joined by Wyatt Rice (guitar), David Holt (clawhammer banjo and slide guitar), Will McIntyre (bass), Clyde Mattocks (dobro), and Andrew Smith (guitar). Smith himself is an excellent fiddler, with definite influences from Kenny Baker and other Bill Monroe-style music. He performs complex tunes with ease and offers up originals that are just as enjoyable as the classic tunes he covers.

For more information on Tim Smith, visit his website at www.fiddlertimsmith.com. His new album can be purchased from a variety of online music retailers, including CDBaby.

Fiddler Tim Smith & Friends

North Carolina fiddler Tim Smith has released a new album, titled simply Fiddler Tim Smith & Friends.

Smith has quite a bluegrass pedigree, having worked for three years with The Bluegrass Cardinals, and with five previous solo projects to his credit. He has also picked up his share of contest ribbons, including first place finishes at Galax, Union Grove and the North Carolina State Championship in the mid-1970s.

His friends on this new CD are impressive by any standard. Wayne Benson provides mandolin, Wyatt Rice, Jeff Huffman, and Andrew Smith are on guitar, Eric Ellis and David Holt play banjo, and Zachary McLamb is on bass.

The material is a comfortable mix of Smith originals and classic fiddle tunes, along with Bill Monroe’s Ashland Breakdown and Kokomo Arnold’s Milk Cow Blues.

A single, Broadway Limited (with vocals provided by David Guthrie) has been released to radio via Musik Radio Promotions. It’s a new tune with a decided Orange Blossom Special vibe and should be a hit with a wide variety of audiences.

There is much Kenny Baker about Tim’s playing, and his tunes. I can’t imagine a world where that isn’t a good thing. We’ll have more to say about this record after a more detailed listening.

CD’s can be purchased at CD Baby, and downloads from iTunes.

Eric Ellis to record

Back in the fall of 2007 we told you about the Appalachian Music: Roots and Influences concentration being offered at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. At the time we reported that former Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys’ guitarist/lead singer, Dave Haney, was heading up the program. We also reported that he had tapped Scruggs style banjoist Eric Ellis as the program’s first Artist in residence.

Now, we’re pleased to bring you the news that the Haney has received a $7,250 grant from the North Carolina Arts Council, for the purpose of recording a CD to preserve the contributions Eric Ellis has made to bluegrass music.

The university’s new service is reporting:

In addition to Ellis’ banjo playing and baritone vocal harmony, participating musicians on the CD will include David Johnson (fiddle), David Haney (guitar), Nick Chandler (mandolin), Billy Gee (bass), Bobby Hicks (fiddle), and possibly Tony Rice (guitar).

This sounds like a project we’ll want to hear!

Bluegrass music class at Appalachian State University

Students at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC have been learning a lot about bluegrass recently.

In the fall of 2006 the university began offering a concentration in Appalachian Music: Roots and Influences from the College of Arts and Sciences for the Center for Appalachian Studies for those students seeking an M.A. degree in Appalachian Studies. They also made many of the same classes available in the form of an undergraduate minor.

The curriculum includes a three credit hour class entitled Bluegrass Traditions. They describe the class as follows.

The genesis of bluegrass music from its beginnings to its major redefinition in the mid-1970s.

Who better to teach such a class than Dave Haney. Haney is the vice provost for undergraduate education and a professor of English at the university. More importantly though, he is a former guitarist and lead singer with Joe Val and the New England Bluegrass Boys.

Haney says he uses such things as bluegrass recordings, videos, discussion, readings, and live demonstrations to help his students “understand the musical and cultural influences of early bluegrass music and the styles of specific performers.”

When presenting a live demonstration, he often calls on area musicians for help. One of the musicians he’s tapped as a resource is Eric Ellis. Ellis is known as a Scruggs-style banjo player.

He is ideally suited for this. He’s the real thing. He is an incredible banjo player who can demonstrate any bluegrass banjo style there is, and he also has an encyclopedic knowledge of bluegrass history.

Ellis has become such an indispensable part of the class, that the school has recently brought him on board as it’s first artist-in-residence in the Appalachian Studies program. The residency is supported by the Doc Watson Endowment in Appalachian Music.

What a great way for bluegrass music to reach a new generation.