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FOLKLIFE FOLKLIFE
ASSOCIATION
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J. C. BROCK AND RUSSELL JOHNSON MUSICS OF ALABAMA: Russell Johnson the singer of "Johnson's Old Grey Mule" had known this song since early 1900s ("teens"). He believes he learned it off a recording of Gid Tanner's Skillet Lickers Band. Johnson is 85 years old and lives in Millport, Alabama. He was born in Lamar County near Millport and has lived there his whole life. J.C. Brock was born in 1918 in the Mt. Vernon Community in Lamar County, Alabama. He learned to play from renowned fiddler Charlie Stripling as well as picking up tunes from 78 recordings and off the radio. Brock said he learned in the "brush arbor" time when all "beginners carried their fiddles in a flour sack with the bow sticking out the end." He had two brothers who played the guitar and mandolin. Together, with J. C. on fiddle, they were known as the Brock Brothers. They were wholly an instrumental group and played together for 8 years winning prizes at a number of regional fiddler conventions in Fayette, Sulligent, Winfield, Vernon, Greensboro, and Selma. J.C. Brock passed away in 1995.
"Johnson's Old Grey Mule" is a traditional tune, recorded by Joyce Cauthen 1-28-87 in
Vernon, Alabama. Fiddling is by J.C. Brock, singing by
Russell Johnson accompanied by Floyd Bryant and Maurice
Langley on guitar. |
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