Oral history interview with Earl Spielman; 1993 December 13; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. 1993 Dec. 13.

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Oral history interview with Earl Spielman; 1993 December 13; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. 1993 Dec. 13.

Music scholar Earl Spielman talks about bluegrass music and the legacy of Bill Monroe in an interview given as part of the research conducted by the Country Music Foundation for their production of The Music of Bill Monroe from 1936-1994 (MCA, 1994). Discussion includes his childhood and early musical education; his introduction to bluegrass; his experiences as a bluegrass vs. classical musician; joining the Plum Creek Boys; comments on the different fiddle players from Bill Monroe's band and what they brought to the group, including Vassar Clements, Chubby Wise, Benny Martin, Bobby Hicks, and Kenny Baker; the importance of the banjo to bluegrass; comments on the personnel changes in Monroe's band and its impact on Monroe's performance style; Monroe's mandolin technique; Monroe as the Father of Bluegrass; memories of Monroe's concert performances; Monroe's recording selections; the role of Ralph Rinzler; and comments on the enduring influence of Monroe's style.

2 sound cassettes (1 hour, 46 minutes)

Related Entities

There are 4 Entities related to this resource.

Rumble, John Woodruff

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65718z1 (person)

Monroe, Bill, 1911-1996

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6n58jht (person)

Bill Monroe (1911-1984), Anglo-American mandolin player, singer, and songwriter known as the "Father of Bluegrass", from Rosine, Ky.; and his band, the Blue Grass Boys, featuring banjo player Earl Scruggs of Flint Hill, N.C. From the description of John Edwards memorial collection, 1940s. WorldCat record id: 27189199 Pioneer bluegrass performer. Born September 13, 1911. Died September 9, 1996. Full name: William Smith Monroe. Career active 1920s-1990s. Known as the Father of...

Spielman, Earl V., 1942-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6n014z9 (person)

Music Scholar. Born July 29, 1942. Studied music at Oberlin College, received Ph. D. in musicology from the University of Wisconsin. During the mid-1970s worked in Nashville as a session fiddler, arranger, and producer. Recognized nationally for his musical analysis work in copyright disputes. From the description of Oral history interview with Earl Spielman; 1993 December 13; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. 1993 Dec. 13. (Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center)....

Spielman, Earl V., 1942-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6n014z9 (person)

Music Scholar. Born July 29, 1942. Studied music at Oberlin College, received Ph. D. in musicology from the University of Wisconsin. During the mid-1970s worked in Nashville as a session fiddler, arranger, and producer. Recognized nationally for his musical analysis work in copyright disputes. From the description of Oral history interview with Earl Spielman; 1993 December 13; interview conducted by John W. Rumble. 1993 Dec. 13. (Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center)....