Re: [Harp-L] History of Bluegrass Harmonica

[Cara Cooke <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx>]

There is not a lot of difference as long as they are not playing in
the old-time string band tradition in unison.  A lot of the mountain bands
became known as bluegrass in time.  Sometimes, the band or
musicians themselves are the reason they may not be called bluegrass.  They
may not want to be called bluegrass.  Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs were
once asked if the Foggy Mountain Boys were bluegrass and they said no --
only Bill Monroe's band can be called bluegrass.  They played country
music.  Later on, they were classified as bluegrass, despite their response
-- if for no other reason than that country music was changing.  Doc Watson
never wanted to be called a bluegrass musician, but you would be hard put
to find bluegrassers who would refuse to include him in.

To some degree, since the sound of bluegrass comes from an ensemble, any
single musician or duet could not be considered bluegrass.  Yet, if they
are playing the music, in the style, with the instrumentation, what else do
you call it?  Bluegrass shy a band?

The music comes from the same regions and the same people.  Execution and
performance can be indicators.



On Fri, Dec 14, 2012 at 11:29 AM, John Kerkhoven
<solo_danswer@xxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> Okay, George Pegram & Walter Parham are not bluegrass, but mountain music
> from North Carolina. My question is what's the relationship between
> bluegrass and mountain? Seems there's overlap there.
>
> Their album, Pickin' & Blowin', is from 1957.
>
> Here's a take:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AC0rP9ePDk
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
>
>
> > Depends on whether you include old-timey harmonica.
> >
> > For something close to bluegrass while being past old-timey, check out
> Jimmy Riddle with Roy Acuff in the 1940s.
> >
> > Dave Payne and Cara Cooke may have something to say on this subject.
> >
> > Winslow
> >
> >
> > Winslow Yerxa
> > Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
> >             Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
> >             Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
> > Resident Harmonica Expert, bluesharmonica.com
> > Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: Glenn Weiser <banjoandguitar100@xxxxxxxxx>
> > To: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Friday, December 14, 2012 6:58 AM
> > Subject: [Harp-L] History of Bluegrass Harmonica
> >
> > Calling all harmonica scholars-
> >
> > As far as I know, the first recorded instance of the harmonica in
> bluegrass music is Charlie McCoy with Flatt and Scruggs in 1962. Is anyone
> aware of any earlier examples? I have been in touch with the senior
> historian at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and we are trying
> to piece this together. I will eventually do a Sing Out! column on this
> topic.
> >
> > Glenn Weiser
>
>
>