Daniel Jatta Plays an Akonting Tune Written by his Father Chuck Levy 2026-09-23 | Daniel Jatta Plays an Akonting Tune Written by his Father
Chuck Levy Plays Thats My Rabbit, My Dog Caught It, on Clawhammer Banjo 4.20.13 Chuck Levy 2022-05-21 | Here is a sprightly tune in the key of C (Banjo tuned "Double C", gCGCD) from the Walter Family. I love this tune for its frantic melody, odd blend of instruments, and its "arrangement," which evokes for me a Bugs Bunny/Merry Melodies kind of chase with the hounds close behind. I am playing a Gold Tone BC 350+ banjo (this is the fancy Bob Carlin model).The tune comes from the Walter Family as recorded on March 29, 1933, in Richmond, Indiana. It was originally released on Champion 16653, and reissued on the three different compilation recordings,: "That's My Rabbit, My Dog Caught It: Traditional Southern Instrumental Styles", New World NW 226; "Kentucky Mountain Music, Box Set of 7 CDs and 32-Page Booklet, Classic Recordings of the 1920s & 1930s," Yazoo 2200; and Way Down South In Dixie, Old Time Fiddle Band Music From KY, Vol. 3, Morningstar 45005.Here is some background on the Walter family and the recording of the tune (tip of the hat to Kerry Blech who provided most of the details below),Draper Walter hailed from the Camp Nelson area in Jessamine County, Kentucky (Camp Nelson was one of the nation's most important recruiting stations and training camps for African American soldiers and Kentucky's chief center for issuing emancipation papers to former slaves). Draper had befriended the musical Booker Family. Jim Booker, of Taylor's Kentucky Boys was a particularly good friend. Jim's brothers formed the Booker Orchestra, a Black string band, and Joe and John Booker had both recorded on guitar backing up another neighbor, Doc Roberts. Walter moved to the Richmond, Indiana area in about 1928, where Jim Booker visited him while there recording for the Gennett family of labels. Draper Walter was 63 years old when he recorded in 1933 (born in April 1870). In the studio were Draper Walter on fiddle, Mary Walter on piano, Ray Agee on banjo (tenor banjo to my ear), Charlie Estes on guitar, Wilburn Burdette on washboard, and Charlie Burdette on jug. What many people take as an 'arrangement' was an error in the studio. Draper's son-in-law Ray Agee, reported that Draper started too early, with the rest of the band holding back, assuming the A&R (artist and repertoire) man would stop the take, but he let it go. So first Draper plays the "A" part of the tune unaccompanied, Joined by Mary on piano for the "B" part. They continue as a duet until the second time around where the other instruments join in. Then, about the 1:10 mark, the rest of the band drops out again, leaving Walter to carry on alone this time playing the "B" part. The rest of the band though they had been signaled to stop, as the red "stop light" went on, but Draper Walter kept going. Sure enough, they rejoin by they "A" part, first with the piano, and then guitar, banjo, and jug. There was a second take, with everyone playing all the way through, but the record company decided to go with the first take, as it appeared to be a clever arrangement. Other tunes they recorded that day: Tennessee Wagner; Too Young to Get Married; Flying Cloud Waltz; Patty on the Turn Pike; Granny, Will Your Dog Bite; Walter Family Waltz; and Shaker Ben. Check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUAvLIvwQgk for the original recording
Bob Carlin, Kirk Sutphin and Tom Mylet play Ladys Choice at STFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2021-03-29 | Bob Carlin, Kirk Sutphin, and Tom Mylet were the core musical faculty of the 2019 Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, and annual event that takes place at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida, typically on the first full weekend in September. This video is from the faculty concert where the trio plays a rollicking version of “Lady's Choice”.
Bob Carlin, Kirk Sutphin, and Tom Mylet play Wesleys Tune at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2021-03-29 | Bob Carlin, Kirk Sutphin, and Tom Mylet were the core musical faculty of the 2019 Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, and annual event that takes place at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida, typically on the first full weekend in September. This video is from the faculty concert where the trio plays a rollicking version of “Wesley's Tune”.
Kirk Sutphin and Tom Mylet play Whispering at STFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2021-03-29 | Bob Carlin, Kirk Sutphin, and Tom Mylet were the core musical faculty of the 2019 Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, and annual event that takes place at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida, typically on the first full weekend in September. This video is from the faculty concert where the Kirk and Tom play"Whispering".
Bob Carlin, Kirk Sutphin and Tom Mylet play Black Dog Blues at STFOTMW 9 19 MTS Chuck Levy 2021-03-29 | Bob Carlin, Kirk Sutphin, and Tom Mylet were the core musical faculty of the 2019 Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, and annual event that takes place at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida, typically on the first full weekend in September. This video is from the faculty concert where the trio plays a rollicking version of “Black Dog Blues” from the Stoneman family.
Bob Carlin, Kirk Sutphin and Tom Mylet play Lost Indian at STFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2021-03-29 | Bob Carlin, Kirk Sutphin, and Tom Mylet were the core musical faculty of the 2019 Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, and annual event that takes place at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida, typically on the first full weekend in September. This video is from the faculty concert where the trio plays a rollicking version of “Lost Indian”.
Jay Gimelli, Chuck Levy, and Ted Strauss play Old Piss at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2021-03-23 | Jay Gimelli plays one of our favorites, Old Piss, with the marvelous Ted Strauss on guitar, and Chuck Levy on clawhammer banjo, at the annual Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend.
Jay Gimelli, Chuck Levy, and Ted Strauss play Chinese Breakdown at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2021-03-23 | Jay Gimelli breaks out the mandolin for a fierce rendition of Chinese Breakdown, with Chuck Levy on banjo, and Ted Strauss on guitar.
Jay Gimelli, Chuck Levy, and Ted Strauss play Buck Mountain at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2021-03-22 | Jay Gimelli (fiddle) leads Chuck Levy (banjo) and Ted Strauss (guitar) on that old favorite, Buck Mountain, at the Annual Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend.
Frank and Allie Sing Darlin Cory 2 10 20 Chuck Levy 2021-03-19 | Frank and Allie Lee, stopped by to perform a house concert at the edge of COVID in February 2020.
Frank and Allie Sing When I Was a Cowboy 2 10 20 Chuck Levy 2021-03-19 | Frank and Allie Lee, stopped by to perform a house concert at the edge of COVID in February 2020.
Frank and Allie Sing Frankie 2 10 20 Chuck Levy 2021-03-19 | Frank and Allie Lee, stopped by to perform a house concert at the edge of COVID in February 2020.
Frank and Allie Sing Elkhorn RIdge 2 10 20 Chuck Levy 2021-03-19 | Frank and Allie Lee, stopped by to perform a house concert at the edge of COVID in February 2020.
Frank and Allie Sing Travelin Down this Lonesome Road 2 10 20 Chuck Levy 2021-03-19 | Frank and Allie Lee, stopped by to perform a house concert at the edge of COVID in February 2020.
Frank and Allie Sing Arkansas Sheik 2 10 20 Chuck Levy 2021-03-19 | Frank and Allie Lee, stopped by to perform a house concert at the edge of COVID in February 2020.
Frank and Allie Sing You Are My Flower 2 10 20 Chuck Levy 2021-03-19 | rank and Allie Lee, stopped by to perform a house concert at the edge of COVID in February 2020.
Frank and Allie Sing Turn Your Radio On 2 10 20 Chuck Levy 2021-03-19 | Frank and Allie Lee, stopped by to perform a house concert at the edge of COVID in February 2020.
Frank and Allie Sing Standing on a Mountain 2 10 20 Chuck Levy 2021-03-19 | Frank and Allie Lee, stopped by to perform a house concert at the edge of COVID in February 2020.
Jenny Baxley Lee and Chuck Levy play Moonshiner Chuck Levy 2021-03-15 | The Marvelous Jenny Baxley Lee joined me to play "Moonshiner", on a windy February in Gainesville Florida. This performance is part of the faculty concert of the 2021 Suwannee Banjo Camp.
Jenny Baxley Lee and Chuck Levy play Cold Rain and Snow Chuck Levy 2021-03-15 | I am so lucky to have Jenny Baxley Lee not only as a friend, but as a neighbor. Here is our take on "Cold Wind and Snow" (with apologies to Molly Tuttle) recorded on a windy February day in Gainesville, Florida. This video debuted in the 2021 Suwannee Banjo Camp faculty concert.The banjo is part of the Gold Tone Bob Carlin banjo line. Specifically it is a BC 350+ tuned gDGCD (modal tuning).
Jay Gimelli, Chuck Levy, and Ted Strauss play Road to Boston at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2020-05-29 | This recording took place September 14th, 2019 at the 14th Annual Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, and instructional camp that takes place annually over the second full weekend in September at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park White Springs, FL.
Lloyd Baldwin plays The Old Maid and the Burglar Chuck Levy 2020-05-17 | This recording took place September 14th, 2019 at the 14th Annual Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, an instructional camp that takes place annually over the second full weekend in September at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park White Springs, FL
Lloyd Baldwin plays River Bottom Breakdown at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2020-05-17 | This recording took place September 14th, 2019 at the 14th Annual Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, and instructional camp that takes place annually over the second full weekend in September at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park White Springs, FL.
Lloyd Baldwin plays The Possums Tail is Bare at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2020-05-17 | Lloyd plays Melvin WIne's Possum's Tail is Bare in concert at the Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend. This recording took place September 14th, 2019 at the 14th Annual Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, an instructional camp that takes place annually over the second full weekend in September at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park White Springs, FL.
Lloyd Baldwin plays a The Possum and the Coon at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2020-05-17 | Lloyd plays "The Possum and the Coon", a tune he learned it from Bob Willoughby, who learned it from his grandfather in western Tennessee.This recording took place September 14th, 2019 at the 14th Annual Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, and instructional camp that takes place annually over the second full weekend in September at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park White Springs, FL.
Jay Gimelli, Chuck Levy, and Ted Strauss play Fiddlers Reel at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2020-05-17 | Jay takes Chuck and Ted for a ride!This recording took place September 14th, 2019 at the 14th Annual Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, and instructional camp that takes place annually over the second full weekend in September at the The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park White Springs, FL.
Lloyd Baldwin Sings Chicken Roost Blues at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2020-05-17 | Lloyd is a champion Florida fiddler. This recording took place September 14th, 2019 at the 14th Annual Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, and instructional camp that takes place annually over the second full weekend in September at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park White Springs, FL.
Jay Gimelli, Chuck Levy, and Ted Strauss play Old Chattanooga at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2020-05-16 | This recording took place September 14th, 2019 at the 14th Annual Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, and instructional camp that takes place annually over the second full weekend in September at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park White Springs, FL.
Ann Whitley and Chuck Levy play Sing Me a Song at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2020-05-12 | From the incomparable Ola Belle Reed! Chuck Levy accompanies Ann Whitley (from the Rosin Sisters, Mars Hill, etc.) on "Sing Me a Song" in concert at the Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend presented annually during the second full weekend in September. The event takes place at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida, and features instruction in banjo, fiddle, guitar, and vocals, along with concerts and jams.
Chuck Levy and Ann Whitley play Ola Belles Blues at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2020-05-12 | From the incomparable Ola Belle Reed!Ann Whitley (from the Rosin Sisters, Mars Hill, etc.) teams up with Chuck Levy to tackle Ola Belle's Blues in concert at the Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend presented annually during the second full weekend in September.The event takes place at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park in White Springs, Florida, and features instruction in banjo, fiddle, guitar, and vocals, along with concerts and jams.
Chuck Levy and Ann Whitley play Stephen Fosters Nocturne at SFOTMW 9 19 Chuck Levy 2020-05-07 | Ann Whitley plays marvelous harmonies on Stephen Foster's Nocturne, a fiddle tune I wrote while contemplating America's first superstar of popular music. Although Foster wrote some of America's most iconic songs including Old Folks At Home (Way Down Upon the Swannee River), Camptown Races, Old Susannah, Hard Times Come Again No More, and Angelina Baker, he died at age 37 or 38, on January 13th, 1864, "penniless, sick, and alone. He had sold even the clothes off his back for liquor; he fell while shaving in a flophouse on the Bowery, gouged his head, and died days later, in Bellevue Hospital." This recording took place September 14th, 2019 at the 14th Annual Stephen Foster Old-Time Music Weekend, and instructional camp that takes place annually over the second full weekend in September at the The Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park White Springs, FL. Our fiddles are tuned to AEae. I recorded this tune with Michael Eberle for the Banjourneys CD, released on Red Dog Records in 2009.
Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield Sing Georgias my Home Chuck Levy 2020-05-06 | Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield stopped by in Gainesville and graced us with some grand old-time music.
Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield Play Hen Cackle Chuck Levy 2020-05-06 | Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield stopped by in Gainesville and graced us with some grand old-time music.
Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield Sing Kiss Me Quick Chuck Levy 2020-05-06 | Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield stopped by in Gainesville and graced us with some grand old-time music.
Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield Sing I Dont Love Nobody Chuck Levy 2020-05-06 | Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield stopped by in Gainesville and graced us with some grand old-time music.
Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield Sing Down In Atlanta Georgia Chuck Levy 2020-05-06 | Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield stopped by in Gainesville and graced us with some grand old-time music.
Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield play Buckin Mule Chuck Levy 2020-05-06 | Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield stopped by in Gainesville and graced us with some grand old-time music.
Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield sing Tanners Boarding House Chuck Levy 2020-05-06 | Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield stopped by in Gainesville and graced us with some grand old-time music.
Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield sing Kinneys Farm Chuck Levy 2020-05-06 | Evan Kinney and Van Burchfield stopped by in Gainesville and graced us with some grand old-time music.
The Sugarfoot Desparados play Cuffy 4 26 20 Chuck Levy 2020-04-28 | Mike Stapleton (fiddle) and Chuck Levy play Cuffy, and old-time tune originally coming from fiddler Nicky (N. H.) Mills of Boone's Mill, Virginia. Seattle Violin Maker and old-time and Cajun fiddler extrordinaire, Armin Barnett visited and recorded Mr. Mills playing Cuffy in 1972. Armin learned about Mr. Mills from Dave Milefsky. who had visited Mr. Mills a bit earlier than Armin, perhaps by a year or two. Mike stopped by to share a few tunes on a lovely Sunday afternoon. Heist planning was kept to a minimum
The Sugarfoot Desparados play Martha Campbell 4 26 20 Chuck Levy 2020-04-26 | My Neighbor Mike Stapleton (fiddle) stopped by to play a few tunes on bright and comfortable Sunday afternoon. The Banjoist is Chuck Levy (me).Martha Campbell , usually recognized as a Kentucky tune, was one of the first tunes recorded by Kentucky fiddler Doc Roberts (1897–1978), in 1925, who remastered the tune in 1929 in an electrically recorded version for the Sears label. Music historian Charles Wolfe (1983) believed that Roberts learned the tune from African-American fiddler Owen Walker of Madison County, Ky., a mentor, around 1915.
Kirk Sutphin and Tom Mylet play Fire on the Mountain Chuck Levy 2019-07-31 | KIrk and Tom play that wonderful classic, Fire on the Mountain!
Kirk Sutphin and Tom Mylet play Sally Ann Chuck Levy 2019-07-31 | Kirk and Tom have the misfortune playing a different tune than they intended.
Kirk Sutphin and Tom Mylet play Mississippi Sawyer from Charlie Higgins Chuck Levy 2019-07-31 | Tom and Kirk playing music at home...
