In 1923 Fiddlin’ John Carson recorded the first vocal and instrumental song for the Okeh Recording Company. Carson’s recordings sold over a million copies and convinced northern recording companies that there was a market for southern old time country music. Four years later came the Bristol Sessions, often described as the Big Bang of country music. However, in between was an essential connective event, the Mountain City Fiddlers Convention of 1925. It was a Who’s Who gathering of southern musicians, many of whom had become famous because of their recordings. John Carson, Uncle Am Stuart, GB Grayson, the Fiddlin’ Powers Family, Charlie Bowman and the Hillbillies, Clarence Ashley, Dudley Vance, and more appeared. It was a stunning assemblage and one that modern music lovers still marvel at.
John McCutcheon, familiar to many in Mountain City for his frequent concert appearances at Heritage Hall, is putting together a recording of modern musicians honoring the centenary of this amazing event. Participants include Old Crow Medicine Show, Molly Tuttle, Stuart Duncan, Tim O’Brien, New Dangerfield, Bruce Molsky, Cathy & Marcie’s Old Time Coalition, the Kody Norris Show and more. Cristy Dunn will create the album artwork and extensive promotion will advertise the release widely. And all profits from the recording will benefit the Johnson County Center for the Arts.
To be released in conjunction with the 2025 Long Journey Home Festival, this recording will not only provide funds for years to the Center for the Arts, but will promote Mountain City’s name as an integral part of the development of American country music.
