Robert Earl Johnson (August 24, 1886 in

Gwinnett County, Georgia Gwinnett County ( ) is located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It forms part of the Atlanta metropolitan area. In 2020 United States census, 2020, the population was 957,062, making it the secon ...

– May 31, 1965) was an old time fiddler who was influenced by the music of

Gid Tanner James Gideon "Gid" Tanner (June 6, 1885 – May 13, 1960) was an American old-time fiddler and one of the earliest stars of what would come to be known as country music. His band, the Skillet Lickers, was one of the most innovative and influe ...

and his Skillet Lickers.

Biography

Johnson learned to play the

fiddle A fiddle is a bowed string musical instrument, most often a violin. It is a colloquial term for the violin, used by players in all genres, including classical music. Although in many cases violins and fiddles are essentially synonymous, th ...

at an early age with some assistance from his father. When he was young, he used to practice with his two brothers, Albert on banjo and Ester on guitar.Bogdanov 2003, p. 385. Between 1920 and 1934, he was a regular participant at the Atlanta Fiddlers' Convention.Daniel 2001, p. 75. In 1923, Albert and Ester were victims of an epidemic.Russell 2007, p. 46. The same year, Johnson joined

Fiddlin' John Carson "Fiddlin'" John Carson (March 23, 1868 – December 11, 1949) was an American old-time fiddler and singer who recorded what is widely considered to be the first country music song featuring vocals and lyrics. Early life Carson was born near Mc ...

's ''Virginia Reelers'' and within two years made his first recordings on

Paramount Records Paramount Records was an American record label known for its recordings of jazz and blues in the 1920s and early 1930s, including such artists as Ma Rainey, Tommy Johnson and Blind Lemon Jefferson. Early years Paramount Records was formed in 19 ...

. Initially, he recorded with the ''Dixie String Band'' and Arthur Tanner. He became the Georgia state fiddle champion of 1926 in

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...

.Daniel 2001, p. 76. Johnson formed the ''Dixie Entertainers'' with guitarist Byrd Moore and banjoist Emmett Bankston and they made their first recordings for

Okeh Records Okeh Records () is an American record label founded by the Otto Heinemann Phonograph Corporation, a phonograph supplier established in 1916, which branched out into phonograph records in 1918. The name was spelled "OkeH" from the initials of Ott ...

on Feb. 21, 1927. When Byrd Moore left, Johnson added guitarist Lee "Red" Henderson and formed ''The Clodhoppers.'' The new band became successful, recording for

in October 1927. Although he made his last recordings in 1931, Johnson continued to perform on radio and at fiddlers' conventions for the remainder of his life. His last performance was on May 24, 1965, at the Stone Mountain Fiddlers' Convention in Georgia. He died of a heart attack a week later.Russell 2007, p. 47.

Original discography

Earl Johnson's Dixie Entertainers Earl Johnson's Clodhoppers

Selected discography

*''Complete Recorded Works, Vol 1 (1927)'' - Document Records (1997) *''Complete Recorded Works, Vol 2 (1927-1931)'' - Document Records (1997)

Footnotes

References

* Bogdanov, Vladimir (2003) Chris Woodstra, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, ''All Music Guide to Country: The Definitive Guide to Country Music'', Backbeat Books * Daniel, Wayne W. (2001) ''Pickin' on Peachtree: A History of Country Music in Atlanta, Georgia'', University of Illinois Press * Russell, Tony (2007) ''Country Music Originals: The Legends and the Lost'', Oxford University Press US * Russell, Tony - Pinson, Bob (2004) ''Country Music Records: A Discography, 1921- 1942'', Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

External links

1001tunes.com
*

Allmusic.com AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson (fiddler), Earl American fiddlers Southern old-time fiddlers 1886 births 1965 deaths People from Gwinnett County, Georgia Musicians from Georgia (U.S. state) 20th-century violinists