Fiddle and Banjo Playing of Western North Carolina with Maddy Mullany and Clarke Williams
Fiddle and Banjo Playing of Western North Carolina with Maddy Mullany and Clarke Williams
A survey of some of the fiddle players in the lineage of J.D. Harris (Osey Helton, Bill Hensley, Manco Sneed, Marcus Martin, etc) and the banjo playing styles of the region (up-picking, 2 finger, etc). We’ll learn a tune and listen to some recordings to wrap our head around these distinct regional styles.
Maddy Mullany and Clarke Williams are traditional musicians based in Asheville, NC, with a deep love for the fiddle and banjo music of Western North Carolina. They first connected as students at Warren Wilson College, where their studies in the traditional music minor program led them to discover the captivating sounds of Marcus Martin, Osey Helton, and other regional legends. Together, they’ve toured internationally with their band, Jenny and the Hog Drovers, including a collaboration with indigenous musicians in Yunnan, China. Over the years, they've performed at festivals across the country and both teach at the Junior Appalachian Musicians Programs in Buncombe, Haywood, and Madison counties. Maddy and Clarke are dedicated to sharing the rich musical heritage of the region and inspiring the next generation of musicians.