Songs of Appalachia: Fiddler Charlie Acuff

Музыка

Eighty-eight-year-old Charlie Acuff is the elder statesman of Knoxville's old-time music scene. He was 12 years old when he learned to play the fiddle, and by the 1930's, he was performing regularly on the radio with his brother, Gayle, as well as at schools, square dances and social events. (Lauren Spuhler / News Sentinel)

Пікірлер: 263

  • @michaelwhisman
    @michaelwhisman Жыл бұрын

    I was a kid watching my grandfather (born in 1889) playing his father's violin. When he finished he asked if I would like to try. He handed it to me and I ran th ebow over the strings a few times and then startged to play GO TELL AUNT RHODIE. I recently gave that violin to one of his brother's decendents, 10 years old, who plays. She is very proud of it and is now 11.

  • @jimsmith5756
    @jimsmith57564 жыл бұрын

    This old Gentleman is part of a generation than needs to be preserved and honored.

  • @tonyb7395

    @tonyb7395

    3 жыл бұрын

    National treasure

  • @williecunnings3759
    @williecunnings37593 жыл бұрын

    My grandma lived out in the country in south Georgia. In the middle of peanut fields. They did not belong to her. They rented the old shack of a house they lived in. On saturday we would pull peanuts and boil them in a wash pot in the sandy yard. All of the aunts and uncles and cousins would come over about dark and bring thier musical instruments. We always had a very good time. Most of them are gone now but I still have those beautiful memories. They are still here.

  • @joseph2832

    @joseph2832

    3 жыл бұрын

  • @LeakyBellows
    @LeakyBellows5 жыл бұрын

    It's so important to keep this music alive... A lot of that "old-time" music only survives in the memory of our old folks. If we don't learn it and pass it on, it'll be lost to history, and there's nothing in the world more sad than a song that everyone has forgot.

  • @longjohnsilver7986
    @longjohnsilver79865 жыл бұрын

    Guys like Charlie Acuff will make America great again

  • @devakikaren
    @devakikaren Жыл бұрын

    Acuff is a name that originated in Yorkshire and near the Scottish border. We are so grateful for all the Scot, English, Irish immigrants who gave us Bluegrass music in our mountain regions.

  • @stacyblue1980
    @stacyblue19805 жыл бұрын

    He was 88 years old and playing this well. Love his spirit. Bless him.

  • @oldfart5937
    @oldfart59377 жыл бұрын

    If there were more people like this the world would be a much better place

  • @stacyblue1980

    @stacyblue1980

    5 жыл бұрын

    Indeed.

  • @Imabeatyouman

    @Imabeatyouman

    4 жыл бұрын

    Old Fart Opinion

  • @michaelstallings5824

    @michaelstallings5824

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@Imabeatyouman young fart...fact.

  • @darrelldurham6297

    @darrelldurham6297

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Imabeatyouman g

  • @Lgtg1947
    @Lgtg1947 Жыл бұрын

    75 yrs old🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿here who can’t help stomping to this stuff. Yahoo you guys n gals 😀💃🏻💃🏻😀 👍👍👍

  • @bones987123
    @bones9871232 жыл бұрын

    reminds me of my great grandfather, being a kid sittin on the porch while he was inside playin for my great grandmother who was paralyzed

  • @jeffgoffard7894
    @jeffgoffard78946 жыл бұрын

    Some years ago I had the pleasure of meeting this man at the Appalachian Museum.While walking around the grounds I could hear his wonderful fiddle ringing through the air. Finally there he was sitting between two old buildings in the shade. We visited while he played . He started playing Redwing and I whistled along, Charlie said that the Indian maiden jumped in from the Wisconsin side and swam to Mississippi. He told me he was Roy Acuff’s brother. It was a true pleasure to meet him

  • @MelodyVillaMusic
    @MelodyVillaMusic11 ай бұрын

    This is incredible. Love Charlie Acuff!❤

  • @karrenpopovics2780
    @karrenpopovics2780 Жыл бұрын

    My daddy was from W VA. He used to dance to this!!! I still 😅 when I think of him. Thanks daddy for some wonderful memories!!!💝

  • @scallyco
    @scallyco4 жыл бұрын

    The young man accompanying the Fiddler is exceptional playing several instruments all by ear.

  • @northcut8012
    @northcut80123 жыл бұрын

    May God bless our history and God bless our family traditions.

  • @jttansin
    @jttansin9 жыл бұрын

    Some of the greatest American music has been played on front porches and living rooms. No pretense at all, families and friends playing music passed down from generation to generation. Your a treasure Charlie, keep playing!

  • @darlenehoover6577

    @darlenehoover6577

    5 жыл бұрын

    A passtime that should have never ended.

  • @hellfeather2011

    @hellfeather2011

    4 жыл бұрын

    Exactly. I grew up playing violin. Same instrument but entirely different style and way of learning it. I have so much respect for this man.

  • @secularhumanistfrontroyal2230

    @secularhumanistfrontroyal2230

    Жыл бұрын

    It's more than American music. It's Appalachian music.

  • @zachb8012
    @zachb8012 Жыл бұрын

    Ain't that wild how music seems to strike the elderly and like a lightning bolt they're suddenly 50 years younger with their whole life ahead of them? I don't reckon Charlie Acuff is with us anymore but he's still there in that music, where he'll always be.

  • @joshacuff302
    @joshacuff302 Жыл бұрын

    So great to see this preserved. Thank you for sharing.

  • @richardkelley8292
    @richardkelley82926 жыл бұрын

    I love this guy. I could listen all day.

  • @st.apollonius5758
    @st.apollonius57589 жыл бұрын

    The old fella hadn't lost any of his skills. I can listen to that music all day and night.

  • @boygood3141

    @boygood3141

    4 жыл бұрын

    Til tok me too!!

  • @trevorgwelch7412

    @trevorgwelch7412

    4 жыл бұрын

    St. Apollonius Gets me up at night so I can do the old girl . 😸

  • @boygood3141

    @boygood3141

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@trevorgwelch7412 well at least u happy lol not to late hopefully

  • @joeandrosahopkins
    @joeandrosahopkins10 жыл бұрын

    Love this authentic country music. I think this is making a comeback; Americans are reaching for their roots. I pray this continues and we embrace this beautiful music once more :)

  • @secularhumanistfrontroyal2230

    @secularhumanistfrontroyal2230

    Жыл бұрын

    *Appalachians

  • @jeanniedalton5562
    @jeanniedalton556211 жыл бұрын

    I love you !!! So happy I found your page. New music is never this good !! Old Music and old Cars they will never be that good again !

  • @SgtBerryhill
    @SgtBerryhill5 жыл бұрын

    Reminds me of the movie “The Song Catchers”. Its a true story of a lady that carried a heavy phonograph and blank wax cylinders into Appalachia. She would win over their trust and they would sing and play into her horn and she recorded it. When she recorded it she had it preserved for all time, Then she sat there in her cabin and transcribed the music so others could learn to play it also. She was a very brave woman to have done this and the movie is well worth watching.

  • @kimberlyparrish7522

    @kimberlyparrish7522

    4 жыл бұрын

    SgtBerryhill Thats a great movie and Ive recommend that movie to many a person. I was raised in the Blue ridge mountains I knew a many of those songs gifted to me from my grandparents . My granny McClellan sang wish I was a single girl again working in the garden. Good memories!

  • @lee0den145

    @lee0den145

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the recommendation, Didn’t Pleasant Carter do something similar? .. except I think he wrote down the old songs...what a treasure! I will def watch that movie...

  • @patriciacannon3793
    @patriciacannon379310 жыл бұрын

    they were second cousins and both learned from charlie's grandfather. we played music with charlie for years and he and his wife dorothy were the most hospitable and sweet people you could know. dorothy died several years ago and charlie is in a nursing home in newport. his hands are very twisted and he is unable to play anymore. i miss thoose times in their living room-trish cannon

  • @marvinostman522
    @marvinostman5225 жыл бұрын

    I really enjoyed that. My Grandfather played several instruments, the fiddle, mouth organ, concertina, and guitar. He was also left handed. I was told that a lot of lefthanders would restring their instruments. Grandpa just learned to play them the way they. He just played his guitar upside-down. This brought back a lot of fond memories.

  • @odin240270
    @odin2402702 жыл бұрын

    the good old boys... i like them

  • @RonnieMinh
    @RonnieMinh9 жыл бұрын

    Great music, thanks!

  • @saraenneking4652
    @saraenneking46524 жыл бұрын

    Yes more people like this would make the world 🌎 better... God love ❤️ him

  • @anthonybarrow1142
    @anthonybarrow11426 жыл бұрын

    The most people I've ever met and I've been in many countries and most of the USA l love the deep South. People in the South were the most living and the most generous people I have ever met.

  • @melodyjordan6052

    @melodyjordan6052

    5 жыл бұрын

    Anthony Barrow: Thank you for your kind words about the south!!

  • @5050TM

    @5050TM

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you kindly ☺️

  • @robkunkel8833
    @robkunkel88337 жыл бұрын

    Loved how the banjo played so soft and smooth to accompany him in the first song.

  • @gabriellemueske4626
    @gabriellemueske46265 жыл бұрын

    My grandfather told me about this man when I was a kid! I love his music!

  • @danzigvi
    @danzigvi10 жыл бұрын

    God Bless this man for giving the world such beautiful music!!!!

  • @willnot5687
    @willnot56874 жыл бұрын

    Grandpas are great be it yours or others take time to listen to them

  • @ginnigurl
    @ginnigurl10 жыл бұрын

    So happy to have Charlie's picture hanging in the Jig and Reel in Knoxville.

  • @jeremyreagan9085
    @jeremyreagan90857 жыл бұрын

    My grandfather was a folksinger 1912 to 2002 and so am I carry it on folks or it will die.

  • @hellfeather2011

    @hellfeather2011

    4 жыл бұрын

    Please do

  • @Xx-xd3zo

    @Xx-xd3zo

    3 жыл бұрын

    Jeremy - Record. Record, record, record, Sir...:)

  • @jonilmclark

    @jonilmclark

    3 жыл бұрын

    I most graciously thank you Sir!!❤

  • @jeremyreagan9085

    @jeremyreagan9085

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@jonilmclark Why thank me?

  • @514CHanger
    @514CHanger11 жыл бұрын

    Some of my family was from the Appalachians and they couldn't read or write but they could play some good music. Bless them all

  • @coandog1
    @coandog1 Жыл бұрын

    Music never dies

  • @xxlaciebrookexx
    @xxlaciebrookexx11 жыл бұрын

    what a sweet old soul! I LOVE older people like this precious man! I feel great respect for people like him... He is part of the people that this country was built by. I hope Mr. Acuff is doing well! Bless him!

  • @hoperules8874
    @hoperules88744 жыл бұрын

    ❤️My Grampa played fiddle & his dad & Grandad made them! Thanks for the sounds! Very happy memories.

  • @SteveGoldfield
    @SteveGoldfield12 жыл бұрын

    The tune Charlie is playing is "Two O'Clock in the Morning," one of his grandfather's tunes. Charlie may have been 88 when this video was made, but he was born in December 1919 so he is currently 92 and living in a nursing home.

  • @canvids1
    @canvids18 жыл бұрын

    You bring me back to my very young days growing up in Ontario Canada love all your music breaks my heart to hear it I am 75 thanks.

  • @peterbetts858

    @peterbetts858

    6 жыл бұрын

    wayne Maritimer here groovin to these old mountain tunes on the fiddle ,we got some fiddlers down here n they make me cry , dance n laugh all the time ! Giver some Charlie !

  • @davewilliams4869
    @davewilliams48696 жыл бұрын

    I'm from the mountains of West Virginia and proud to be a hillbilly

  • @freaknwv7975

    @freaknwv7975

    6 жыл бұрын

    Dave Williams Yes sir!!!!!

  • @MommaBearCrystal2011

    @MommaBearCrystal2011

    5 жыл бұрын

    Same!! mountain momma💚 born n raised!

  • @jamespass4337

    @jamespass4337

    4 жыл бұрын

    I’m from the North Shore of Nassau County, Long Island NY, and Bluegrass has always been my favorite music.

  • @bobwerber2984
    @bobwerber29844 жыл бұрын

    Nothing like playin music at home with friends and family

  • @sandraoss326
    @sandraoss3263 жыл бұрын

    I love it great music foot tapping makes you feel good

  • @johnmckay9581
    @johnmckay95816 жыл бұрын

    Lovely old music kept simple just great

  • @ragtimeannie33
    @ragtimeannie3311 жыл бұрын

    this is a great fiddler and singer and those who hasn.t seen him sure missed out.he allways played ragtimeannie and sally ann for us and the last time we saw him he played and sang cindy

  • @MRFUNNYGAMING1990
    @MRFUNNYGAMING199010 жыл бұрын

    they say our most important resource is Our people, God Bless Charlie Acuff!

  • @samaustin3974
    @samaustin39747 жыл бұрын

    My daddy and I used to go up into Bledsoe county, TN. around Mt. Airy to Billy Standefer's house and listen to this kind of music on the back porch around 1948-1950. Mr. Standefer was a fiddler, and was nicknamed " Big Eared Billy" because he had a birthmark on his right ear which caused him to have one ear that was much larger than the other one, and was a purple color. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful fiddler. We lived north of Dunlap in an area called "The switch" because the R.R. had a siding to pick up loaded coal cars. This was a wonderful time in my otherwise boring life there just below Brush Creek.

  • @thatguyonabicycleofconsurv3908

    @thatguyonabicycleofconsurv3908

    5 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful story.... somebody artist died a group with all these kinds of different stories they could tell it would be a great success I think

  • @luizmaster1995
    @luizmaster19953 жыл бұрын

    Gosto muito desse gênero de música!

  • @coffeedrinkinwoman
    @coffeedrinkinwoman9 жыл бұрын

    Mr. Charlie, you're amazing!!! Enjoyed your fiddle playing!

  • @bjoe74fm
    @bjoe74fm6 жыл бұрын

    Hey, how can you not like this story and contents, a look at better times, way cool, thanks

  • @jeffery6560
    @jeffery656011 жыл бұрын

    I have say thank you for helping Charlie continue to do what he love. I'm been in nursing 27 yrs so what I'm saying is what I know to be true. We all lose memories and thougts. Some more quickly then others. Some say its the Food or whats arounds us this may be true but Genetics pay a big part.

  • @jiveAt5
    @jiveAt58 жыл бұрын

    Lady in Red is havin time of her life with her grandpappy, :) bless this Family.

  • @chuckmayes234
    @chuckmayes2346 жыл бұрын

    Go get em charlie !!!! Your music will touch the soul !!!!!

  • @christopherreilly9715
    @christopherreilly971510 жыл бұрын

    Bless this man and his music.

  • @MainManGeoff
    @MainManGeoff6 жыл бұрын

    This is one of the main reasons southern heritage and culture must be preserved.

  • @Sunshine-zm1fx

    @Sunshine-zm1fx

    3 жыл бұрын

    It would be easier to respect southern culture if southerners weren't so deeply invested in their racism. Also, Appalachia, while technically part of the south, isn't truly southern.

  • @MainManGeoff

    @MainManGeoff

    3 жыл бұрын

    Sunshine fuck off. You know nothing about the south and base your opinion on southerners off exaggerated stereotypes you see on tv. And most of Appalachian culture is Southern culture. And Appalachian will tell you the same. Including myself.

  • @j.w.mcfarland1882
    @j.w.mcfarland18829 жыл бұрын

    had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Acuff and picking with him enjoyed visiting with him

  • @FredFukkinBear
    @FredFukkinBear7 жыл бұрын

    Stuff like this invokes some great memories of my Grandpa playing fiddle for all of his grandkids and playing in the Old Settler's Reunion fiddlers contests. It was 1967 and I was a mere 5 years old, but I was mesmerized every time he played for us. If you ever get the chance to hear an old timer play, you better jump at the chance.

  • @markmathews6876
    @markmathews68765 жыл бұрын

    thanks old mate , don't know why but brings a tear to my eye ,thinking of my grandad

  • @akon1965
    @akon19656 жыл бұрын

    What a great man he is, a wonderful guy. Hugely enjoyed listing and watching this.

  • @sheilabarron4526
    @sheilabarron45266 жыл бұрын

    Love ya Charlie ❤❤❤ your fiddling Dang Thank ya Charlie 4the Hill Music it takes me back to Grandma+ Grandfather✌💙

  • @lindareese4579
    @lindareese45793 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the heavenly music that comes from the gods!!! It has so much soul and is so much fun!!!

  • @sanibelcaptivarealestatesa5236
    @sanibelcaptivarealestatesa52366 жыл бұрын

    sharing this wonderful video with my grandson who is 2... he is loving it.. thank you for sharing.

  • @dianeovercash6739
    @dianeovercash67393 жыл бұрын

    What a great old gentleman. I had never heard Two O'clock. I'd like to learn that one.

  • @Stormbringer505
    @Stormbringer5056 жыл бұрын

    A true American I love his music and his ways

  • @artnouveau4332
    @artnouveau43325 жыл бұрын

    This man is a national treasure I love the old time fiddle tunes and the stories about the music rich history of the people and the time's

  • @235buz
    @235buz9 жыл бұрын

    priceless!

  • @puttentanesame6687
    @puttentanesame66873 жыл бұрын

    Mighty fine, Charlie...mighty fine...

  • @midninteranger4315
    @midninteranger43155 жыл бұрын

    Guys like him are surely a treasure, I enjoyed it so much... and it's sad when they're gone so is that good old mountain music.

  • @MartinD28V1
    @MartinD28V110 жыл бұрын

    Amazeing Mr. Acuff & So Beautiful. Wish you had been my GrandPaw.

  • @garygriffin8469
    @garygriffin84697 жыл бұрын

    True born pioneer... and classic musician ... good job

  • @dwayneconaway1733
    @dwayneconaway17333 жыл бұрын

    Love it!

  • @margarett.newman7574
    @margarett.newman75746 жыл бұрын

    Really endearing. Thank you . x

  • @wanderingsemantics7266
    @wanderingsemantics72667 жыл бұрын

    god bless this man and America rip sir you are a legend and will live forever how nice thanks Charlie

  • @josephbragg5020
    @josephbragg50203 жыл бұрын

    We love your fiddle playing hillbilly music Charlie and that other old boy plays a pretty mean banjo also

  • @richardkelley8292
    @richardkelley82926 жыл бұрын

    OMG He's good. Much better than good. I could listen to him all day. If you have any more of him playing I love to hear it!!!

  • @SteveGoldfield
    @SteveGoldfield11 жыл бұрын

    Charlie is now 93 and not doing well. He has been one of my mentors, as he has been to many other people. You can find a few recordings of him, but the best way to share his music was to visit him at home, which I did. His wife, Dorothy, was still alive then, and they insisted that I stay the night with them. Charlie took me to play with his late brother, Gayle, showed me his horses, and played lots of music.

  • @chipsemple7705
    @chipsemple77055 жыл бұрын

    What a gentleman. Treasure that will be missed when the time calls.

  • @erroleabrown4317
    @erroleabrown43175 жыл бұрын

    Now that warms a persons heart

  • @h.aritchie7717
    @h.aritchie77175 жыл бұрын

    Happy he got to share few. Tunes hope this brings big smile to see him self play for you..like what was KZread cell phones web 25 or short 30 years ago he still playing his grandfather music

  • @IvesMarcelin
    @IvesMarcelin3 жыл бұрын

    That give me the most grand training for play when we seing this old men with his great talent and nice voice rustless !!! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

  • @jamescarson9118
    @jamescarson91183 жыл бұрын

    What a gift!

  • @hellfeather2011
    @hellfeather20114 жыл бұрын

    I love him.

  • @robertfournier947
    @robertfournier9476 жыл бұрын

    Can't beat a fiddle

  • @barriefuller7084
    @barriefuller70845 жыл бұрын

    I miss this coming from Virginia.

  • @douglasadams9016
    @douglasadams90167 жыл бұрын

    NEVER let this music die!

  • @johnnybx3254
    @johnnybx32546 жыл бұрын

    GREAT Charlie

  • @1244taylor
    @1244taylor8 жыл бұрын

    Keep her coming Charlie, great stuff G

  • @MartyMartin87
    @MartyMartin877 жыл бұрын

    music is a good thing for your brain, keeps it fit

  • @grumpyg9350
    @grumpyg93503 жыл бұрын

    Fun to watch👍👍👍👍👍👏🏻🙏

  • @dufus2273
    @dufus22737 жыл бұрын

    great voice too...

  • @sarahs5340
    @sarahs53407 жыл бұрын

    Sounds perfect. Makes my brain, heart and soul happy.

  • @93Jubilee
    @93Jubilee5 жыл бұрын

    Bravo! I love this music -- and fine musicians!

  • @arizonamonarch
    @arizonamonarch10 жыл бұрын

    Sweet music by a left-handed fiddler!

  • @manymoonstraveled
    @manymoonstraveled10 жыл бұрын

    It's great music..thanks Charlie

  • @hillbillycarwreck
    @hillbillycarwreck4 жыл бұрын

    thank you from the bottom of my heart. Charlie is from a better time, I love that "hillbilly sound".

  • @mikefox2379
    @mikefox23793 жыл бұрын

    Great respect for this gentleman. Amazing.

  • @moonoggin
    @moonoggin4 жыл бұрын

    What a wonderful video. Yes learn the tunes when you're young. They stick forever .. music is a magic potion or gift that the human brain and body loves. That's why it sticks with you. Great playing!!

  • @TheBubbajones12
    @TheBubbajones124 жыл бұрын

    Great to hear Wanda on that bass and see her smiling away. She's a treasure.

  • @cynthiawilkins9672
    @cynthiawilkins96728 жыл бұрын

    This makes me smile

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