Elk River Blues ~ Old Time West Virginia Fiddle Tune 

I learned this tune from Russ Hatton but more than the tune I learned to understand the sorrow of what it was written about. Ernie Carpenter lost his families' homestead to the Sutton Dam on the Elk River in 1950 something and wrote this song while he watched the water rise over his home place. Now listen to it again and feel the pain. Beautifully played.......

Let the fiddle play. Music doesn't get any better than this. Very well done and a 5 stars ***** favorite. I'm playing it over and over. Thanks to Suze for sending this to me. --:)Rod

Ain't nuthin gonna bring out that mournful fiddle more than gittin yer truck stuck in the muck! I feel yer pain brother! Deep down soulful sounds to soothe that stuck truck Chuck!

I just listened to the Ernie Carpenter, and I really like yours so much better - you play it slow enough to bring out the melancholy in it. Loved it.

A particularly poignant tune to hear today because of the chemical spill. I've loved this tune for years, and shared your video today with many who seek solace and justice.

How beautiful, I have been carrying around a German violin for 20 years that needs fixing. It came with a curved French bow. Nobody teaches fiddle playing here in town but one day it's my dream to play one like u just did. I loved it.

Maybe the critics should rest their mouths... :) This song and the images are a wonderful snapshot from inside the life of the mountains. I'm not familiar with this song but as always, your bowing brings it right to life.

This is heaven to my ears! I love going up in the mountains to play my music. Wish I was right there pickin' some good ole' music with ya. Stars and Hearts to you.

This man has sent us a message of hope among despair.

Beautiful~ and the hummingbirds in the background add a nice touch.

I love that tune and the way you played it. I now remember you more vividly from Augusta 2007 Oldtime Week. I'm going to a log cabin jam in WV in a couple of weeks. If I don't forget to record, I hope to get some good oldtime tunes for UTube. Keep on fiddling.

this is a 5 star video hands down. Thank you!

Love listening to this as I get ready to go to the old homeplace at the headwaters of Elk!

This is just wonderful. I've enjoyed it several times now.

YES! Love the environment and fiddle style. True Appalachian fiddler.

Wow my friend you put life into those tunes. You are easily one of my favorite fiddle players

I've watched this several time. I love this tune and you play it really well. --:)Rod

This video is great. I don't know this song, but the feeling of sadness & loss surely comes across in the fiddling. Great job - so beautiful & haunting.

-smiles- i grew up next to the elk river, this reminds me of home

... im speechless, beautiful!!!!

beautiful...i love every note of that!

beautiful........I am learning this now

Lovely stuff there! I love the Jeep! Richard from Chesapeake.

Great sound and super setting! Keep fiddlin' brother!

Excellent job Dave. I hope that Willy's comes with that good sound in a week or so...

This is great. Cool playing. realy realy cool environment

Great job on the fiddle! I love the feeling the tune creates.

Wow! You play beautifully, and I love this tune!

Nice job man, This is Great ! Such a sad, sad tale "namtsewhsit" tells of this tune. Well done ! Thanks ! :-) - wally

I learned this as a hymn. Will the circle be unbroken, bye and bye lord. bye and bye. There's a better home a waitin' in the sky lord in the sky.

Yes, you can hear them at the end very distinct short high pitch chirp. Most folks don't even know that hummingbirds make noise.

Great job. Real nice sounding axe you have there.

Another good'un, rambler. I likes what I sees and hears! B

YESSSSSSSS SIIIRRRRRR!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!

Awesome !!!! ❤

I also never heard it before, but Isure like it..thanks

Sounds Like The Song " Wayfaring Stranger" At Least A Little. Good Job.

thats just the way that should be played

awesome jeep!!

awesome stuff

Fantastic.

sounds great feller

I love it

You're aren't playing it "incorrectly" - like any good folk fiddler, you simply added your two cents to it! ;)

Ayo 2022

@ottlakerambler Yes, almost time to dig ramps on the banks of the Ek! lol

wood county west virginia born and raised in west virginia

man. want to light a cigarette, pour a whiskey, start a fire and feel perfectly, delightfully somber

Sir how i can find sad cajun or appalachian fiddle solos? I tried youtube but i didnt get good resutls Maybe you can guide how to find calm and sad songs like this. TNX

Beautiful. How long have you been playing?

I love the tune and just learned to play it [poorly] on the fiddle; but how does it differ from another fiddle tune called 'Cherokee Trail'?

Just a great performance! What brand of strings do you use? Thanks

he must have got that jeep stuck back in the deer woods and thought well i cant fix it might as well bust out some music

First comment in over a year

Elk river...near blue creek u?

What year's that ole Willys?

that was great. too bad west va turned yankee