Charlie Acuff, Great Old Time East Tennessee Fiddler, Was Born On December 5, 1919

[rjblaustein]

Charlie Acuff.a great old-time fiddler from Alcoa, Tennessee who was
born on December 5, 1919, won the Tennessee Folklife Heritage Award in
2005.

Tennessee state folklorist Robert G. Cogswell wrote this profile of
Charlie Acuff, published in the 2005 Governor's Awards in the Arts
program:

"
Like his famous cousin Roy, Charlie Acuff (1919- ) comes from
Union County, but whereas Roy became famous as a country music
entertainer, Charlie has devoted himself to a deeper mastery of old-
time fiddling. His dedication was evident from the beginning, as he
had to learn left-handed. He always played widely, for square dances
and on the radio, but he balanced his music with a 40 year career at
the Alcoa aluminum plant. Since he retired in 1982, Charlie has
performed regularly for old-time music audiences, including those at
the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes, and he’s shared his large
repertory of tunes with countless students. His sharp recollections
and warm personality have made him one of the best-loved musical
figures in East Tennessee".
.
The Knoxville News webpage for its excellent "Songs Of Appalachia"
series
includes a profile of Charlie Acuff and MP3 recordings of his fiddle
tunes:
http://web.knoxnews.com/special/songs/acuff.html

Charlie Acuff plays the fiiddle, accompanied by John Alvis on guitar
and banjo and Juanita Johnson on bass:

"Cricket On The Hearth"
http://web.knoxnews.com/special/songs/appysongs/cricketonahearth.MP3

"Sally Gooden"
http://web.knoxnews.com/special/songs/appysongs/sallygooden.MP3

"The Cumberland Gap"
http://web.knoxnews.com/special/songs/appysongs/thecumberlandgap.MP3

"Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane"
http://web.knoxnews.com/special/songs/appysongs/thelittleoldlogcabininthelane.MP3

"The Josie Girl"
http://web.knoxnews.com/special/songs/appysongs/thejosiegirl.MP3

John Alvis, vocal and banjo. Charlie Acuff, fiddle and Juanita
Johnson, bass
"Rattler"
http://web.knoxnews.com/special/songs/appysongs/therattler.MP3

"Two O'Clock"
http://web.knoxnews.com/special/songs/appysongs/twooclock.MP3

John Rice Irwin, director of the Museum of Appalachia in Norris,
Tennessee
interviews Charlie; Charlie and his friends play and sing "Down In
Union County":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx7gbr8bLJc

David Holt (banjo) and Charlie Acuff (fiddle) play "The Old Yellow Dog
Came
Trotting Through The Meeting House" on David's "Fire On The Mountain"
television
show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IyomC16KTo