"Piney Mountains"- Bruce Molsky

Master fiddler Bruce Molsky performed this haunting ballad by the late Craig Johnson for "David Holt's State of Music," a series for public TV that premiered in 2015 and is distributed nationally by PBS.
For more, visit DavidHoltTV.org
©Will & Deni Films 2015

[@willarity6927]

I never watch this thing once. I click replay about five or six times, unless I have an instrument in hand, in which case I watch it fifteen times. And I hear it in my head whenever I watch the news and think about the plight of the working poor in this country, particularly the working poor whose work has worn them out, weakened them, left them lame and vulnerable.

[@dafuzzymonster]

Bruce is the chillest dude! met him once and hes the nicest guy, one of my favourite musicians :)

[@stevenrobbins6803]

I keep coming back to Molsky for authentic old time music masterfully presented.

[@crlchs]

The more I listen to Bruce Molsky, the more I become a believer. First heard him on No Ash Will Burn w/Altan. Loved his voice, looked him up and this was the first song I found. Been a huge fan ever since. (Used to live on Pilot Mt. in the Blue Ridge, and this song epitomizes it.) Some other favorites, Wreck of the Dandenong - which makes me cry no matter how many times I hear it - and Kentucky Blues which he sings better than even Little Hat! My opinion, of course. I can name about 10 more but you get the idea.

[@ThePapawhisky]

Powerful !!!

[@bentonscrivener]

Seeing him on the 28th in Lexington, KY, can't wait!! I love this video!!

[@crlchs]

I can't tell you how much I LOVE this song. Takes me home.

[@michaelwalling2947]

what a great performance by molsky! i had never heard this tune before, but know plenty of guys who resemble "the nothing left to do but drink and smoke" description after using up their bodies fighting against the elements and the corporations.

[@nllleonard]

The sweetest sound...

[@BmoreJnice]

Heard this on the radio today! Awesome song, love it.

[@randyf1498]

home. thank you

[@mouldybear]

Wow! Bruce at his best.

[@vchen6438]

Great music & natual view!

[@crlchs]

Fantastic. Have to check this guy out.

[@andyhayes5226]

like this song

[@blainesenior9981]

Beautiful

[@isaacpeterson8135]

Love this

[@Gedagnors]

Great!!!!!!!!!!

[@beastotheeast]

As always, great stuff Bruce.

[@ericy7884]

love it

[@chrisharmon]

Love this song. Both my granddads were "wood hicks"" in West Virginia and N.C. However the part about a "flat wheeled car" would make more sense as "a flat bed car". A flat wheel won''t roll very well.

[@gregorw4517]

Best video on you tube. Where was this filmed?

[@Macfoto]

Surry County, NC, below Fisher's Peak and near where Tommy Jarrell grew up.

[@rafaelfreitas2172]

sit down buddy we'll drink and smoke woman don't you weep for me my hands can't fiddle and my heart's been broke you damned old piney mountain lost my fingers in the Galax mill buddy sing a sad old song and my heart got broke in the yew pine hills Lordy my time ain't long I started out to loggin' when I was in my prime woman don't you weep for me hitchin' up the spruce to the big drag lines you damned old piney mountain where the skidders start a-buckin' as the years come down buddy sing a sad old song makin' God's own thunder on the new-cut ground Lordy my time ain't long we was fightin' over nothin' and drinkin' too hard woman don't you weep for me ridin' up to camp on the flat-wheel car you damned old piney mountain thirty years a-hangin' on the old chain brake buddy sing a sad old song laid off and paid off in '58 Lordy my time ain't long and the skidders got sold to a scrap iron yard woman don't you weep for me I moved down Virginia when the times got hard you damned old piney mountain lost my fingers to a steel band saw buddy sing a sad old song now my fiddle just hangs untuned on the wall Lordy my time ain't long and the trees have grown up on the logging road woman don't you weep for me and the wildflowers bloom where the big shays blow you damned old piney mountain there's nothin' left for me but to drink and smoke buddy sing a sad old song my hands can't fiddle and my heart's been broke Lordy my time ain't long

[@wardwhitehead]

Great performance. I uploaded another terrific rendition of this important, classic song to youtube and as it does not seem possible to post the link here, enter the song title and "Joe Firstman". No fiddle but FANTASTIC vocals and feel. Please give it a look and comment. Cheers!

[@christiancardenas6811]

HOOOOOW did they mic this?! I need to knooooooow

[@petrufka]

what key is this in please?

[@mattrn58]

Does anyone know what tuning this is in?

[@blueraiderfn]

He's on a bald in the Smokies, it looks like.

[@Macfoto]

Correct. Surry County, NC, near the home of Tommy Jarrell.