Western North Carolina Fiddler Gordon Freeman passes
Greenberry Leonard
long illness.
Born near the Madison County community of PawPaw in the 1920s,
Gordon Freeman was involved with music from an early age. At 10 he had
learned shaped-note singing was leading a gospel quartet. His
grandfather was a fiddler, as was a neighbor, and it was from them
Gordon learned his first tunes. He and his brothers and sisters worked
tobacco to buy their first instrument, a Silvertone guitar. They were
also able to borrow a fiddle, and at least five of this large family
learned various instruments and played together as a band for years.
While two of his brothers went on to play bleugrass (Carmon on mandolin
and Arvil, fiddle) Gordon preferred to stick to the old-time short bow
style and his tunes included many local old-time favorites such as
"Bucking Mule" and "Newport Breakdown". He played for dances and at
festivals all his life, until Parkinson's curtailed his bowing. He
performed with his bothers at the Merlefest; won awards several times
at the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, and was presented with the
Bascomb Lamar Lunsford award as well.
Gordon was generous with his music, and was happy to share his
tunes- and how to play them- with interested folks from all over. With
his wife Ruth he was gracious and hospitable, and a patient and
encouraging teacher. In his later years, although he did not play out
much, many younger fiddlers were the recipients of his expertise,
kindness, and encouragement.
Funeral services were held at West Funeral Home (645-3011)in
Weaverville on Sunday, August 15. Condolences can be sent to the
family c/o Loretta Rice, 260 New Stock Rd., Asheville, NC 28804.