JA-081D (PAPA JOE SMIDDY - BUTTER BEANS CD)

Description: Joe "Papa Joe" Smiddy was born in Jellico, Tennesee in 1920. By age five, Joe played guitar and by age eight, trumpet. After serving in WWII, Smiddy taught music at Jonesville High School, where he quickly became principal. He later became Director of the Clinch Valley Branch (Wise, VA) of the University of Virginia. Smiddy, along with his children Joe Frank and Elizabeth, were frequent visitors to the Galax Fiddlers Convention, and by 1974 had formed The Reedy Creek Band. Smidy retired as school Chancellor in 1985.

Musicians for recordings on JA0081, Butter Beans, included Papa Joe Smiddy on clawhammer banjo and vocals, Joe E. Smiddy on guitar and vocals, Steve Edwards on fiddle, David Edwards on homemade mandolin and vocals, and Igeary Pearcy on bass vocals. Production assistance was provided by Scott Pippin. JA0081 was released in 2001.

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