"Black Mountain Rag" - Benny Thomasson

It was always a barn burner whenever Benny played this tune on stage in Weiser. Out of all the videos, this is my favorite.

[@crazedcatlady867]

I am so glad to see videos of my uncle Benny!!!

[@joyoffiddling]

Hey @CrazedCatLady. I hope you know that your uncle is the godfather of this style of fiddling and he continues to be revered to this day. We still listen to his albums and jam tapes, study his technique and versions of tunes, play his licks, and swap Benny stories. A groundbreaking musician and gentleman beloved by everyone.

[@crazedcatlady867]

@@joyoffiddling Aw! That's awesome!! I was amazed that there were videos of him at all so this is so cool and really made my family happy! Thanks for posting these! And I'm glad that he's still living on among fiddlers!!

[@nanaobx]

The fiddlin' is heavenly and props to the young man backing him up. Excellent.

[@ryansansom6901]

Best version of this song ever in my opinion. I like the slower tempo Benny plays this tune. Every not can be heard clearly. I have heard this tune played so fast that it just sounds like scratchy noises. This is played beautifully.

[@joyoffiddling]

Hey @Ryan Sansom. On the Joy of Fiddling channel we resist the temptation to use the word "best" in favor the word "favorite" but I otherwise wouldn't change a word of what you stated. I'll take soul over fast and fancy any day and Benny had soul to spare.

[@HEADSUPBERKELEY]

Thank you so much this is like the frosting on the cake or I STRUCK GOLD just to hear him but seeing him is a gold mine Thanks so much

[@joyoffiddling]

You are most welcome. If fiddling has any patron saints, then Benny is most certainly one of them. While there is a goodly amount of Benny Thomasson audio recordings around to be enjoyed, video footage of him performing is criminally scarce. I wish that I had more footage to share. But I am glad you found these little gems of fiddling's history.

[@HEADSUPBERKELEY]

@@joyoffiddling TEXAS MAESTRO and Huge influence on todays Fiddlers down there

[@joyoffiddling]

No doubt,@@HEADSUPBERKELEY And Benny's influence was not limited to Texas. A valid argument could be made that Benny's move to Washington state in the 70's made a huge impact on the fiddling community of the Pacific Northwest that reverberates to this day. I hear Benny's licks in the tunes played by today's young fiddlers from all over the country.

[@moonoggin]

He never takes the dance outta the music♡a true treasure

[@joyoffiddling]

Well stated, @monnoggin. Right on the money.

[@TModel15]

Benny is great on this tune but that Bass player is no slouch either. Thanks for putting this on YT.

[@joyoffiddling]

Glad you found it, TModel. Markie Shubb is the bass player. To this very day, whenever I hear someone play this tune, there's no doubt their version was sourced from Benny's, whether the fiddler is aware of it or not.

[@georgemarsilio5122]

very well played ❤

[@livinggood5545]

I wish I could have been there just to hear in person. Very up step, Love it. Thanks for sharing.... This is the reason I love you tube. I so enjoy watching these videos.

[@martinmonfee7974]

He's fantastic, right up there with Vasser!

[@KenneyCmusic]

Mark O'Connors fiddle teacher!

[@gval900]

I had heard of Benny. But Wow. This is subtle, nuanced, bouncy, intricate and fun. Every other version pales. You can see Aaron looking on in bemusement and respect. He is a model OT guitar player.

[@joyoffiddling]

Well observed, Glenn. You summed up very well many of the qualities that made Benny great. And indeed, it was not mere happenstance that Aaron was part of this production and he most certainly knew to bring his "A" game when backing up two masters of fiddling.

[@eddiethomasson8126]

He was indeed

[@brandonbentley4677]

Very smooth

[@joyoffiddling]

One of the smoothest.

[@softailspringer9915]

Solid rhythm guitar

[@eddiethomasson8126]

That old man can play a fiddle!!!

[@joyoffiddling]

@eddiethomasson8126, Benny was the source of the river from which many of us still drink to this day.

[@dustinjohnson3463]

Very well could be the best version of them all man was just like whispering winds through the scrub oaks

[@joyoffiddling]

No argument from me, Dustin. And your color commentary is right on the money.

[@dustinjohnson3463]

Thank you i dont like say one is best to another but when the sound is there it is what it is . Pure joy i get from benny and Cleveland

[@joyoffiddling]

I think Mr. Cleveland would say he was in good company.

[@JerryWEllis]

Very nice!.............6/12/2020

[@samschmidt787]

Is there a live album out there for this concert? This fiddling has an untouchable attention to detail.

[@joyoffiddling]

@Sam Schmidt, I'm afraid not...perhaps in some lost archive somewhere buried in the basement of a museum or university? Wouldn't it be cool if there was? I have only ever seen VHS copies of this presentation, which is what I digitized this footage from. I put a lot of time and effort into finding out who might still be in charge of this production but all my phone conversations and emails lead to dead ends. And yes...Benny was a master. I have heard countless versions of this tune performed or recorded by many a qualified fiddler, but Benny's version seems to have been a template for much of what followed.

[@MoonStar-fq6oy]

👍👍👍👍👍❤️✌️

[@josechrist3948]

a great master! is this music nowadays forbidden? why are we strangled with rap and other bagger-stuff?

[@joyoffiddling]

Howdy, @Jose Christ, you are correct. Benny was indeed a master and remains an inspiration to untold numbers of fiddlers to this day. I know your question about this music being "forbidden" is a rhetorical one. And while fiddle music generally speaking is not everywhere on the radio or TV like contemporary popular music, it is out there and being played and enjoyed by countless folks. You just have to look a little closer and listen a little harder to find it...like you did when you dropped by the Joy of Fiddling channel!

[@josechrist3948]

@@joyoffiddling You are totally right but I am living in the Netherlands but...this is why I love America!

[@nickiemcnichols5397]

OMG he reminds me of Kenny Baker!

[@joyoffiddling]

Kenny's world was Bluegrass fiddling and Benny's was Texas style fiddling, but no doubt the two legends crossed paths and shared a mutual respect and admiration.

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

Is he in AEAC#

[@joyoffiddling]

Yes is he is, @Derek Usner. Also known as "Calico tuning".

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

@@joyoffiddling thank you! Very useful information

[@dustinjohnson3463]

Better then bob wills and lester halcomb

[@joyoffiddling]

Howdy, Dustin. I usually avoid using words like "better" or "best" whenever talking about fiddlers, (especially on the Joy of Fiddling channel) but I have no compunction about expressing who my "favorites" are. There are many wonderful versions of this tune out there but Benny's take is by far my most favorite. Generally speaking Benny's cross tune fiddling has such nuanced soul that, for me, sets him apart from the pack.

[@charlesjenkins615]

Yep that grow hair on a wooden leg

[@joyoffiddling]

Well stated, @charlesjenkins615.

[@WildwoodvalleyBoy]

...can't fiddlers do BMR without re-tuning their fiddle,...I don't have to re-tune my mandolin ?

[@joyoffiddling]

Sure we can, @WildwoodvalleyBoy. But it wouldn't be as much fun for those of us who love cross tune fiddling.