Appalachian Fiddler Albert Hash

World-class luthier and renowned guitarist Wayne Henderson calls Albert Hash “a real folk hero.” A virtuoso fiddler from the Blue Ridge, Hash built more than 300 fiddles in his lifetime, recorded numerous times with a variety of bands and inspired countless instrument makers and musicians in the mountains of rural Southwest Virginia near the North Carolina border. His biography is the story of a resourceful, humble man who dedicated his life to his art, community and Appalachian musical heritage.

Malcolm L. Smith is a professor and musician from rural Virginia who is a frequent writer about Appalachian culture and old time music. His work has appeared in countless publications including Sing Out! Magazine and the Old Time Herald.

Edwin Lacy is an old-time musician and Presbyterian minister from the Blue Ridge, currently living in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Malcolm L. Smith with Edwin Lacy

Foreword by Wayne Henderson

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 204
Bibliographic Info: 59 photos, appendices, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2020
pISBN: 978-1-4766-7642-5
eISBN: 978-1-4766-3940-6
Imprint: McFarland
Series: Contributions to Southern Appalachian Studies

Foreword by Wayne Henderson 1
Introduction by Malcolm L. Smith 3
One—A Young Genius on Whitetop Mountain 7
Two—An Appalachian Upbringing 20
Three—Clocks, Machines and “Govn’ment Work” 50
Four—Eric Clapton’s Guitar 72
Five—The Grooming of a Banjo Player 89
Six—Bringing Whitetop to the World 115
Seven—The Last Leaf on the Tree 142
Eight—The Legacy of Albert Hash 157
Appendix I: Discography: Albert Hash 177
Appendix II: List of Tunes Recorded by Albert Hash (from Kilby Spencer) 178
Chapter Notes 181
Bibliography 187
Index 189

“This book has a charm and readability that make it difficult to put down”—Old Time News