Charlie Higgins

Charlie Higgins (February 26, 1878 - November 25, 1967) was an American old time fiddle player from Galax, Virginia.[1][2] Higgins said that he was influenced by other old-time fiddlers including Emmett Lundy and Fiddlin' Arthur Smith.[3] His style of playing was said to be very innovative and creative. Higgins played regularly with Wade Ward, Dale Poe and other old-time musicians in the Galax area. Recordings of Charlie Higgins are few, and limited to field recordings made between 1959 and 1961 by folklorists Alan Lomax, Peter Hoover and John Cohen. At the time of these recordings Higgins was over eighty years of age, and apparently was not recorded during his prime. However, he was still good enough at age 82 to win first place at the 1960 Galax Old Fiddler's Convention.[4] Higgins died in 1967 and is buried with his wife Mallie at the Coal Creek Community Church in Galax, Virginia.[5]

For the British comedian, see Charlie Higgins (comedian). For the American saxophonist, see Chuck Higgins.
Charlie Higgins
Birth nameCharles H. Higgins
Also known asUncle Charlie
Born(1878-02-26)February 26, 1878
OriginNear Galax, Virginia, U.S.A.
DiedNovember 25, 1967 (aged 89)
GenresOld-time
Instrument(s)Fiddle
Years activecirca 1900-early 1960s

Discography
Year Title Label Number Notes
196237th Old Time Fiddler's Convention at Union Grove North CarolinaSmithsonian FolkwaysFW024341961 field recording[6]
1997Southern Journey. Vol. 2: Ballads and BreakdownsRounder17021959 field recordings by Alan Lomax[7]
2001there is no eye: music for photographsSmithsonian FolkwaysSFW CD 400911961 field recordings by John Cohen[8]
2004Uncle Charlie Higgins, Wade Ward & Dale Poe Field Recorders' CollectiveFRC-5011959 field recordings by Peter Hoover[9]

See also

References
  1. "SSDI Details". Social Security Death Index. Asbury Park Press. 2008. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  2. Blue Ridge Music Makers Guild (2008). Music Makers of the Blue Ridge Plateau. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 36. ISBN 978-0-7385-5410-5.
  3. Reiner, David; Peter Anick (1989). Old-Time Fiddling Across America. Pacific, MO: Mel Bay Publications. p. 83. ISBN 0-7866-5381-7.
  4. "1960 Winners". Old Fiddler's Convention. 2009-08-09. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  5. "Higgins, Charles H & Mallie H". Headstones. MyRootsPlace.com. 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  6. "37th Old Time Fiddler's Convention at Union Grove North Carolina". Smithsonian Folkways. 1962. Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  7. Keefer, Jane. "Folk Music - An Index to Recorded Resources". Folk Music Performer Index - Hig to Hil. Folk Music Index. Retrieved 2009-05-11.
  8. Stradling, Rod (2002-10-01). "there is no eye: music for photographs". Musical Traditions. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
  9. "2004 CDs". Field Recorders' Collective. Archived from the original on 2009-02-11. Retrieved 2009-05-11.


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