As I enjoy my time in Weiser, Idaho at the National Fiddle Contest, I’m reminiscing about the musical legacy of a fiddle legend that deserves recognition, Herman Johnson. This is the perfect moment to introduce you to one of our hidden gems on myTalentForge…The Lost Herman Johnson Tapes.
Hailing from Shawnee, Oklahoma, Herman Johnson was surrounded by a wealth of musical heritage where he immersed himself in traditional American fiddle music. With unwavering dedication, he spent years honing his craft, becoming a virtuoso of the fiddle, and gracing numerous contests and collaborations with other great musicians.
While Herman is a legend in the fiddle world, there are very few audio recordings of his playing and even fewer video recordings!
Thanks to Aaron Lowe, we have access to a series of 33 tunes that he recorded with Herman in his kitchen, now known as The Lost Herman Johnson Tapes.
The Lost Herman Johnson Tapes are available exclusively on myTalentForge.com, where you can learn Herman’s favorite fiddle contest tunes by listening to (and watching) Herman himself! AND, we created sheet music for all of these tunes!
Transcribed by myself and Carolyn Kendrick, these video recordings are available for a new generation of fiddlers, with transcriptions, and downloadable audio tracks.
You’ll see Herman playing from his home in Shawnee, Oklahoma in the comfort of his kitchen, affectionately referred to as “Studio K”, and hear many of the tunes from Herman’s final album Simply Perfect. And if you want a physical book, we’ve got those too!
Each tune is played at full speed, with a slower play-through provided for most of the quicker tunes so they’re easier to learn. Our video player even conveniently lets you slow down the videos if you have trouble keeping up with Herman!
If you want to learn some fantastic fiddle tunes from the legendary Herman Johnson, the only 5-time, undefeated, National Fiddling Champion, click the button below.
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