A great list and my only disagreement would be to have Stuart Duncan at number two. I have seen him many times and he is so technically gifted as well as style otherwise well done sir!
Interesting list. Some legends left off and I hate subjective lists BUT anyone who doesn’t have Michael Cleveland as the top pick should rethink your choices. He’s like Chris Thile there’s him and then you start arguing who’s next. Cleveland is on another level. I lived in a small town in southern Indians and he grew up about 20 miles from me. Amazing talent.
Chip, remember you were stationed at Cherry Point and we use to get together and pick some. Small world. I opened video to see who fiddle players were and there you were. Been a long time. Don Batten by the way, I like Ron Stewart for fiddleling grass. But yours are good as well. Later
That’s so cool. Hi Don. How’s life? I’m retired and living in Ohio. I agree with your Ron Stewart pick. This little video has created a lot of conversation…just the thing I was hoping for.
Good to hear back Chip. I'm still working some but slowing down. Life had been good. I have three grown, married boys. 3 grand kids. My oldest son who was probably a baby when we were picking, turned into a fine musician. He Played Dobro with Lou Reid and Carolina about a year right after the " Time" Cd came out. He still dabbels some but has a real job now and plays alot of peddle steel in a country band. I hardly play out at all anymore but we get them out around the house now and again. Great to hear from you. Take care . Don @@chipcope3711
Yes. Mark has amazing technique and creativity and Stuart for Bluegrass in particular has a groove/pocket like no other with both pure guts and finesse.
It's great if your only going back to the 90s ..do more research! Legendary fiddler Jimmy Buchanan, who ALL the others listened to and learned from at one time or another, is still living and playing in Nashville. He still plays on the Opry occasionally and with David Grisman, etc...maybe you just need to ask....
I would have to agree with most on your list. But having performed at many of the concerts , and festivals across the nation. In my opinion It would be #1 Stewart Duncan. Allison said once that he is the best fiddle player on earth . I agree. #2 which I'll admitt its close but would be Mark O'Connor. Between him and Stewart is a hard thing to judge. Then prob a toss up but we could put Michael there in # 3 . I know he wins fiddle player of the year a lot .But I have my opinion. I think when it comes to style and precise playing out of the box. Van Cleve is hard to beat . Done a lot of shows with The old Mountain Heart band across the country . He use to amaze me. My opinion only!
That's a damn good list. No doubt Michael Cleveland is another dimension that only he inhabits, including fiddlers of the past, the present, and dare I say, the future. A great list, but there of course dozens of famous fiddlers that deserve recognition for their contributions.
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHICH FIDDLERS ARE THE TOP 10 BEST OF ALL TIME . THE LIST HAS TO BE EXPANDED TO TOP 20 TO BEGIN TO BE VALID . THE PEOPLE NOT ON THE LIST , , INCLUDING SEVERAL EARLY BLUEGRASS BOYS , TOMMY MAGNESS AND HOWDY FORRESTER , WERE SUPERB , BUT PROBABLY NOT EVEN CONSIDERED FOR THIS LIST , NOT TO MENTION KENNY BAKER , WHO BILL MONROE ALWAYS INTRODUCED AS " THE BEST FIDDLE PLAYER IN BLUEGRASS MUSIC " . I THINK MONROE KNEW BETTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE ABOUT TOP FIDDLE PLAYERS IN BLUEGRASS
Benny Martin,Big Joe Greene, Major Franklin, Howdy Foster and more. These men didn't take lessons.They took fiddling from the square dance to a much higher level.Many more are worthy.Sounds like you should ask top musicians.No disrespect to Mark,Cle
Surprised Vassar Clements isn't in there, and up near the top?? Also an older guy who was really good, Benny Martin. Admittedly Benny was from an earlier generation, but Vassar should definitely be included, no excuse.
Vassar Clements, Kenny Baker, Chubby Wise, Scotty Stoneman and others. Kenny Baker held the torch quite a while. Vassar came along and taught us a new way, but not too new. I don’t think you have to be fast or push the boundaries necessarily. Vassar did for his day. Kenny Baker didn’t. Kenny was a traditionalist with great, clean lines and fantastic tone (Vassar had that great tone, too).
@@adamgreene5286 Oh yes I've heard your dad play and he was a great fiddler. There's a video somewhere on youtube with him playing fiddle with Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys.
I disagree with some of this, and even had some comment typed up, but you know what? It's ok. That's what these lists are for. Much respect for including the players you did. Some thought went into this list, and a lot of listening. Also, Stuart Duncan is the G.O.A.T. ;)
No Doug Kershaw? He's still around. His fiddle playing is legendary, but he's also a great entertainer ... not to mention charismatic as hell. Doug shows up on stage, it always brings smiles. He even has a degree in math. How many fiddlers can say that? Have a listen ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ubSCPBkTyWY.html&ab_channel=brotherhamlet Saw Kershaw in Houston. As a solo he sold out the 7000 seat Hofheinz Pavilion. Of course, that was Houston and Cajun music was very popular back then.
These 10 are undoubtedly excellent fiddle players. As for younger upcoming fiddlers, check out Maddie Denton, Bronwyn Keith Hynes and the incomparable Laura Orshaw,
