TOTW 10/14/2016
I’ve chosen Wrassled With a Wildcat from fiddler Earl Collins (1911 – 1975) for this installment of TOTW.
Collins, who was born in Missouri, grew up in Oklahoma, and lived most of his adult life in California, started to play fiddle when he was 4 years old. His first instrument was constructed from a cigar box but he progressed rapidly and his father gave him a regular fiddle when he was seven.
Barbara LaPan Rahm offers a brief history of Collins’ life and musical career here: https://oldtimeparty.wordpress.com/category/earl-collins/
Here’s Collins’ Library of Congress recording of the tune:
https://www.slippery-hill.com/recording/wrassled-wildcat
An all-star band performed the tune at the 2013 Suwannee Banjo Camp. I find my eyes inexorably drawn to synchronized movement of the fiddlers’ hands and bows which reminds me of the head bobbing courtship rituals of some birds. Little chicken head golf club booties on the end of the bows would be a hoot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLEcthoaG84
And here’s another all-star performance featuring Fiddle and Guitar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz2BoeKhwXk
I was unable to find a tab but Tater Joe’s fiddle web page has standard notation of the tune from three different artists here: http://taterjoes.com/fiddle/WrasslingWithAWildcat.pdf
Readers are encouraged to post comments, performances and tabs. Anyone with knowledge of the tune’s origin and history please share with the group.