Billy Jack Saucier (January 21, 1931 - October 21, 1987) was an acclaimed Grand National
fiddler
A fiddle is a Bow (music), bowed String instrument, string musical instrument, most often a violin. It is a colloquial term for the violin, used by players in all genres, including European classical music, classical music. Although in many ...
and a native of
Dallas, Texas.
Biography
As a child, Saucier studied classical violin and performed with the
Oak Cliff Symphony Orchestra at the age of 15 where his exceptional talent was the starting point of a great career.
His passion for the fiddle and mastery of
Western Swing lead to a performance with
Hank Thompson and Leon McAuliffe in the 1950s where he was a regular at the
Big D Jamboree in Dallas Texas with KRLD.
The artists that Saucier worked and or recorded with include
Merle Haggard,
Ralph Mooney and
Roy Nichols.
In 1965 he joined the
Joanie Waco Show where they played extensively around the country including
Las Vegas,
Nevada as well as
military bases around the country. During this time Billy Jack and Joanie were married.
Saucier has played at the National Fiddlers Contest in Mt View, AR, the Roy Clarks Theatre in
Branson, Missouri, the
Grand Ole Opry
The ''Grand Ole Opry'' is a weekly American country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, founded on November 28, 1925, by George D. Hay as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM. Currently owned and operated by Opry Entertainment (a divis ...
in
Nashville, Tennessee and numerous venues across the country. Saucier released his own album, ''Back In The Country'', in 1974.
In April 1985, Billy Jack received the title of Grand National Fiddler (see award picture in Commons Category Billy Jack Saucier) from Ron Davis, president of Sweet, stating: “Yes, It is our opinion you are the best in the world today.” and “It is also our opinion that you are the best of all time to date.”
Saucier died in 1987. Joanie lives in Las Vegas.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saucier, Billy Jack
American folk musicians
Western swing fiddlers
1987 deaths
1931 births
American fiddlers
20th-century American violinists