JA-056D (RALPH BLIZARD & The New Southern Ramblers - BLIZARD TRAIN CD)
- Description
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Ralph Blizard is a legendary old-time long-bow fiddler. Beginning in 1932 at the age of 14, Ralph and his band, The Southern Ramblers, played on station WOPI in Bristol, Tennessee, with continued stints on station WJHL in Johnson City, Tennessee, and WKPT in Kingsport, Tennessee, that lasted into the early 1950s. He later put down his fiddle for twenty-five years in order to raise a family. Upon his retirement from Eastman Chemical, Blizard picked up his fiddle again and became an icon of traditional fiddling, bringing back the magic which had thrilled so many during the golden age of country radio. Ralph founded The New Southern Ramblers -- an old-time band that over the years has included musicians John Lilly, John Herrmann, Gordy Hinner, Phil Jamison, and Meredith McIntosh. Blizard became associated with Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina and was a founder of and instructor at the annual Swannanoa Gathering old-time music feastival. In 2002, Ralph was awarded an National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Blizard continued his fiddling with concerts, dances and workshops around the world and at his weekly jam session at the historic log Anderson House in Blountville, Tennessee. Ralph Blizard struggled with a heart condition for the last two years of his life which forced him to cease the playing he loved so much. He passed away peacefully at his home on December 3, 2004.
Recordings for the release JA0056, Blizard Train, were recorded and mixed at Butterside Studios in Asheville, North Carolina in 1987 by Steven Heller. The release was produced by Dennis White. Musicians included Ralph Blizard on fiddle, Gordy Hinners on banjo, Phil Jamison on guitar, Andy Deaver on bass, and John Lilly on mandolin, guitar and harmonica.
This audio collection consists of ¼-inch production masters, and ¼-inch preservation masters.
- Links
- Full Release on Bandcamp