Lately I pursued a teenage memory of getting to jam with the Missouri fiddler Earl Collins (1911 - 1975) when he was in Southern California and my guitar teacher hosted the jam. I was a new clawhammer player and was greatly encouraged by him. Now I've discovered I can hear several of his songs on the Slippery Hill website and that he recorded one album called "That's Earl," but it's nearly impossible to get. On the recordings I've heard there's clawhammer playing and on the film made in Downey, California by Bess Lomax Hawes his son, Richard, plays guitar with him. I'm wondering if anyone else got to hear him or play with him. I'd like to learn more about his life and have ordered a Mel Bay book, Ozark Music, which includes some information and tunes.
I'd already learned Little Dutch Girl a while back, but was surprised to find out that Earl Collins is credited with this tune. Apparently he learned it from his father, William.
Thanks for any information you might have.