I remember hearing Noel Doering play Crafton’s Blues at the Colorado State Fiddle Contest back when I was a kid. I remember thinking that it was pretty much I Don’t Love Nobody in F.
It is pretty similar to I Don’t Love Nobody, and Hotfoot for that matter, but it’s still a pretty cool tune.
If any of you have any information on the origin of this tune, it would be great if you could add it as a comment!
Crafton Blues according to Fiddler’s Companion
CRAFTON BLUES [1]. Old-Time, Country Rag. C Major. Standard. AAB. Related to “I Don’t Love Nobody.” Source for notated version: Cecil Brower [Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 2, 1995; pg. 36.
CRAFTON BLUES [2]. Old-Time, Country Rag. F Major. Standard tuning. AB. Source for notated version: Ricky Boen and Rudy Booher [Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 2, 1995; pg. 36.
UPDATE: Comments from Facebook
Dale Morris Hello Vi, In my opinion the origin of this tune might be found in the old tune “At A Georgia Camp Meeting”. Do you also play this tune?
I found this recording of it on youtube. It does sound similar to me.
Joey McKenzie Crafton Blues was written by Ocie Stockard who played with Milton Brown and Bob Wills among others. It is named after Ocie’s hometown of Crafton, Texas.
Really enjoyed this tune.
Don’t know if your recording levels changed or if this is another fiddle but the sound seemed fuller.
I would like to know what kind of strings and rosin you prefer?
Thanks,
Taquitobro
Thanks, Johan. This fiddle actually is for sale. It was made by George W. Fisk in 1879. It really has fabulous rich tone. And, it’s for sale – if you’re interested. 🙂
I use Gustave Bernardel Rosin, and I generally use Evah Pirazzi strings with the Gold E, but if I’m going to do cross tuning on fiddle, I use Prim mediums because they adjust quicker to changing pitches.
Ocie Stockard played with "The Wanders" band on northside Ft. Worth, Tx. then later with Milton Brown and the Musical Brownies a western swing band before Bob Wills became popular. Milton was killed on Jacksboro Highway in an auto accident, and Bob picked up some of his band members. Ocie played banjo some also and wrote "Crafton Blues" for his and my hometown. The Stockards and Wileys were early musicians and friends of that era, that played for country dances on Saturday nights during the great depression. A lot of these old "breakdowns" sound alike, because it made good two-step dance music for country folks entertainment.
Thanks for letting me in on more of the history of this tune, Jo Ann. I really appreciate it!