Top ten bluegrass fiddle players

American Bluegrass Network's top ten fiddle players is the first video of the top ten series. The list came from our personal favorites and we hope you enjoy. Leave a comment on if you agree or if you would make any changes.

[@KimiWallrus]

Agree to #1 for sure 👍

[@michaelcarl4247]

Vassar Clements, Kenny Baker, Chubby Wise, Scotty Stoneman and others. Kenny Baker held the torch quite a while. Vassar came along and taught us a new way, but not too new. I don’t think you have to be fast or push the boundaries necessarily. Vassar did for his day. Kenny Baker didn’t. Kenny was a traditionalist with great, clean lines and fantastic tone (Vassar had that great tone, too).

[@emiller9426]

To me Vassar was tops...and then Mark O'Connor.

[@mr.classicalmusic5607]

Howard "Big Howdy" Forrester was one of the best fiddle players ever. Also, Benny Martin.

[@adamgreene5286]

from the early 60's 'til thel late 70's.Grandfath

[@adamgreene5286]

Obviously you haven't heard Big Joe Greene play.Maybe I'm partial because I'm his son. His time was the 60's & 70's.My father made many mistakes

[@mr.classicalmusic5607]

@@adamgreene5286 Oh yes I've heard your dad play and he was a great fiddler. There's a video somewhere on youtube with him playing fiddle with Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys.

[@dged492]

For nuance and creativity, O’Connor and Duncan are way ahead. With them, it’s not just a gymnastic event.

[@richardsmithmusic]

Yes. Mark has amazing technique and creativity and Stuart for Bluegrass in particular has a groove/pocket like no other with both pure guts and finesse.

[@austenrobinson2747]

Interesting list. Some legends left off and I hate subjective lists BUT anyone who doesn’t have Michael Cleveland as the top pick should rethink your choices. He’s like Chris Thile there’s him and then you start arguing who’s next. Cleveland is on another level. I lived in a small town in southern Indians and he grew up about 20 miles from me. Amazing talent.

[@russellridge8623]

He’s good. Top 10 maybe 5. Not the best for sure. Michael s a parrot. Hears something once and has it. His licks are from everyone

[@chipcurry]

Jason Carter could get in there too. Actually there’s probably 100 fiddlers that could reasonably fit into that assembly. If you go to Nashville nowadays, you’ll find two kinds of Fiddlers: Phenomenal and beyond belief.

[@mrswimmyboy]

Jason Carter belongs on this list

[@BenSlover1]

That's a damn good list. No doubt Michael Cleveland is another dimension that only he inhabits, including fiddlers of the past, the present, and dare I say, the future. A great list, but there of course dozens of famous fiddlers that deserve recognition for their contributions.

[@jamesoliver6625]

To not have Aubrey Haynie on the list near the top is criminal.

[@procarpenter1788]

I disagree with some of this, and even had some comment typed up, but you know what? It's ok. That's what these lists are for. Much respect for including the players you did. Some thought went into this list, and a lot of listening. Also, Stuart Duncan is the G.O.A.T. ;)

[@DelEast740]

Anyone ever hear of Lost John Ray? Jesse John Ray ,George Pegram and the brushy mountain Boys?

[@charnmeekul133]

stuart duncan everthing smoot best sound

[@bigdugwaffle5392]

Number 2 Mark o Conner is my favorite he makes it look so effortless

[@caryfoster4406]

Mark O'Connor is head and shoulders above any on this video list!

[@dlagrua]

These 10 are undoubtedly excellent fiddle players. As for younger upcoming fiddlers, check out Maddie Denton, Bronwyn Keith Hynes and the incomparable Laura Orshaw,

[@xiangqiforchessplayers9209]

I think the video is about living fiddle players, based on whenever it was recorded.

[@happyolddude]

A great list and my only disagreement would be to have Stuart Duncan at number two. I have seen him many times and he is so technically gifted as well as style otherwise well done sir!

[@tikigolf]

Kenny Baker should be on this list and Bronwyn Keith Hynes, at least, should get an honorable mention.

[@banjopete]

Alison ,I agree fully….ok nay sayers away you go.

[@kermitadkins2198]

Nicky Sanders needs to be on this list

[@charnmeekul6999]

stuart duncan inter national bluegrass & modern country rock & more

[@bigal25938]

Wonder what fiddles they play?

[@gsco82]

I agree with you on your number 1 pick, not so familiar with the others. My list would include Brittany Haas, Kimber Ludiker, and Alex Hargreaves.

[@snotpu]

Not familiar with Kimber, but I would have chosen Brittany and Alex, however I understand since this list is 6 years old why they may not be on it.

[@gsco82]

@@snotpu Kimber is a founding member of Della Mae, an excellent bluegrass band. Check them out. There are lots of videos of Della Mae on KZbin.

[@kishintuchis4133]

TITLE SHOULD HAVE READ " TOP 10 CURRENT BLUEGRASS FIDDLE PLAYERS " . VERY MISLEADING .

[@owenwiggs2615]

My favorite is curly ray cline.

[@ronpriest7135]

Jim Buchanan, johnny gimble should have definitely been on this list

[@richardsmithmusic]

Johnny wasn’t a bluegrasser. He was Western swing.

[@Dubtee]

Kalia Yeagle needs to be on here too.

[@davidgainey3448]

I'll agree 98%. Bobby Hicks and Huter Berry shoulda been up there with Michael Cleveland.

[@davidgainey3448]

Hunter

[@charlescope9127]

Yes Bobby is Amazing. It was impossible to really put them in order but we love taking about things like this. Thanks for letting us know what you think and thanks for watching.

[@mikegardner9449]

Don't know his name but what about the fiddler for Steep Cannion Rangers?

[@frankdrake57]

Nicky Sanders

[@snotpu]

Yes. He would be on my list.

[@danrumer5695]

I would have to agree with most on your list. But having performed at many of the concerts , and festivals across the nation. In my opinion It would be #1 Stewart Duncan. Allison said once that he is the best fiddle player on earth . I agree. #2 which I'll admitt its close but would be Mark O'Connor. Between him and Stewart is a hard thing to judge. Then prob a toss up but we could put Michael there in # 3 . I know he wins fiddle player of the year a lot .But I have my opinion. I think when it comes to style and precise playing out of the box. Van Cleve is hard to beat . Done a lot of shows with The old Mountain Heart band across the country . He use to amaze me. My opinion only!

[@bobjackson3735]

Stuart Duncan is undoubtedly the greatest bluegrass fiddler of all time, and much more tasteful than Mark O'Connor.

[@batman9843]

Chip, remember you were stationed at Cherry Point and we use to get together and pick some. Small world. I opened video to see who fiddle players were and there you were. Been a long time. Don Batten by the way, I like Ron Stewart for fiddleling grass. But yours are good as well. Later

[@chipcope3711]

That’s so cool. Hi Don. How’s life? I’m retired and living in Ohio. I agree with your Ron Stewart pick. This little video has created a lot of conversation…just the thing I was hoping for.

[@batman9843]

Good to hear back Chip. I'm still working some but slowing down. Life had been good. I have three grown, married boys. 3 grand kids. My oldest son who was probably a baby when we were picking, turned into a fine musician. He Played Dobro with Lou Reid and Carolina about a year right after the " Time" Cd came out. He still dabbels some but has a real job now and plays alot of peddle steel in a country band. I hardly play out at all anymore but we get them out around the house now and again. Great to hear from you. Take care . Don @@chipcope3711

[@frankholly1095]

Yeah, Cleveland and O'Connor are pretty much neck-and-neck. Cleveland is more traditional, while O'Connor pushes the boundaries. I would replace a few others with people like Brittany Haas, Patrick McAvinue, and Scotty Stoneman.

[@tomohiroyasuda]

Tater Tater Tater Tater Tate!!

[@ronbuchanan325]

It's great if your only going back to the 90s ..do more research! Legendary fiddler Jimmy Buchanan, who ALL the others listened to and learned from at one time or another, is still living and playing in Nashville. He still plays on the Opry occasionally and with David Grisman, etc...maybe you just need to ask....

[@ibmgrunt]

Jesse Stockman should of gotten in there somewhere...

[@georgegriffith5583]

Mark O'Connor is number 1. you can fight over the other 9.

[@russellridge8623]

Used to be not anymore.

[@RyeRyeShnatBat]

Vassar Clements not being in this list is my only issue

[@emiller9426]

Surprised Vassar Clements isn't in there, and up near the top?? Also an older guy who was really good, Benny Martin. Admittedly Benny was from an earlier generation, but Vassar should definitely be included, no excuse.

[@snotpu]

I think dead people were excluded.

[@adamgreene5286]

Benny Martin,Big Joe Greene, Major Franklin, Howdy Foster and more. These men didn't take lessons.They took fiddling from the square dance to a much higher level.Many more are worthy.Sounds like you should ask top musicians.No disrespect to Mark,Cle

[@jeremymaley9190]

no curly ray? waited for him at #1 .... alll good players but without curly ray cline the list stinks

[@milktruck9345]

Charlie Daniels is the best thiers ever been

[@anarchistangler]

You can say that again!

[@songsabai3794]

But he was the devil! 😁

[@amyferebee]

Rickie Simpkins !!!!!!

[@dad2mak]

No Byron Berline? Really?

[@Guest-cr5xo]

Any top 10 fiddle list that doesn't include Aubrey Haynie is a very incomplete list😃

[@mrswimmyboy]

Absolutely & up near the top too.

[@scottrackley4457]

your #3 should be #1

[@scottrackley4457]

oh, and not including Glen Duncan and Vassar is a crime

[@jessepersoneni7225]

you're not wrong

[@churchfam1921]

Amen

[@charlescope9127]

You have a good point on all accounts. There are so many good players.

[@marcoriva3606]

Allison Krauss is the best!

[@Orangetitanfan]

I watched Tim Passmore blow Mark O'Connor out of the water several years ago in Chattanooga. No idea why Tim's not on this list.

[@brysonbuckner8104]

I believe Paul Warren from Flatt & Scruggs is the greatest

[@masonprice9453]

Ain't none of these players better than my dad was, James Price and Cleveland dang sure ain't better than him!!!

[@bobjackson3735]

James Price was your dad!? Much respect to you. He was a great fiddle player!

[@caryfoster4406]

Mark O'Connor is head and shoulders above any on this video list!

[@rodmackinnon8497]

# 10 & 2 should be on top ten the rest are questionable . . .

[@irishfiddlestix]

Sam Bush shouldn't be on this list, especially when Vassar & Kenny Baker were left off

[@clayatchison6667]

I disagree. You are way off.

[@anarchistangler]

Charlie Daniels.

[@ronbuchanan325]

He's not even a fiddle player, he'd be the 1st to tell you that...I know him

[@JanetWoolley-ze8qb]

No where even close on this list

[@apostasiaelegcho5612]

Someone that knows nothing about fiddle playing made this list.

[@cliffsandifer3877]

Im not reaaaaal big fan of speeedy playing .........many are.....

[@ronbuchanan325]

You obviously are young ... definitely an age gap deficit...you younger guys seem to have not done your homework...

[@russellridge8623]

Sam Bush has no business on this list. He’s good fiddle player but no where in top 50.