By: Uncle Dave Macon Average Rating: Binding: Audio CD Format: Explicit Lyrics Label: Spring Fed Records Number of Discs: 1 Release Date: July 15, 2002
Product Description: No Tennessee folk singer has done more for the traditional American Music than Uncle Dave Macon. Coming from a Middle Tennessee heritage that included traditional American ballads, Civil War songs, church songs, blues, vaudeville and medicine show music, Uncle Dave Macon began his career about 1920, when he was fifty years old. He was one of the first authentic Southern folk musicians to record commercially and he helped found Nashville's famous Grand Ole Opry and was one of the first members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
CD Readily available This is a great CD and is not "RARE." Its publication was funded by the Tennessee Arts Commission and is available from the Arts Center of Cannon County at cost (NOT $50.) It is not an easy listening CD, but a great resource for fans of Uncle Dave Macon.
HAVE NOT HEARD THIS ONE, YET, BUT... Seems as if this home recording is out of print, but it's not, it's available for sale on CD from County Sales, go to their webstore and buy it there for a minimal price.
Thoroughly professional Macom had been banjo picking since he was born, but turned to professional music after his horse teamstering businesses got outmoded by trucks. He was a superbly professional performer, not some ethnic folk source. He knew how to work crowds, he helped patent the modern country music business pattern of working a radio station, then touring its broadcast area. He created a character called Dave Macom who became a star, and made himself a legend, a good legend, one who left smiles and joy and fine music across the land.
Uncle Dave was the last of his generation, an entertainer who spand was from the 1870s until the 1950s, and one of the first big stars of the Grand Ole Oprey. Well, it wouldn't matter if these records had been made about a 18 year old guy from Westwood in LA. Uncle Dave is great.
He's a good banjo picker--although his showmanship, sympathy for his age, braggadocio, and now and then having his accompanyiest the Great Sam McGhee pick in his place in behind the curtain banjo competitions more than his playing is more responsible for his reputation as a great banjo playor or the best.
However, what he really is is a great entertainer. These records are fun. Dave is whooping it up, he's giving you emotion, mostly happy motion. You get the product of a person that this music is fun, not some dry, vestigial, documentary rendition. This stuff is fun, not history, for laughter and joy, and you are as close to seeing the show, to enjoying a pro as you can be from a record with these tunes.
I find it very hard to listen to this without taking out my banjo or guitar.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
