Spotted Pony is another tune that I learned from Steve Eulberg. One of the really cool things about performing with Steve for me has been the opportunity to expand my repertoire.
I have learned a bunch of old time and Celtic tunes from Steve in the last few months. I have no idea what the origin of Spotted Pony is, but I have to admit that it does bear a lot of similarities to Snowshoes. I would bet they share some common roots. :p
This tune is on my album, Old School Old Time, get your copy here.
Learn to Play Spotted Pony on Fiddle here
Spotted Pony according to Fiddler’s Companion
SPOTTED PONY [1], THE. AKA and see “Snowshoes [2].” Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA; Arkansas, Missouri. B Flat Major. Standard tuning. AABB. The title appears in a list of traditional Ozark Mountain fiddle tunes compiled by musicologist/folklorist Vance Randolph, published in 1954. Possibly a mistitled version of “Oklahoma Redbird,” remarks Drew Beisswenger (2008). Source for notated version: Attributed to Lyman Enloe (Miller County, Missouri) via Tony Gilmore (Jefferson City, Missouri) [Christeson]. R.P. Christeson (Old Time Fiddlers Repertory, vol. 1), 1973; No. 43, pg. 34. Grey Eagle Records (Missouri Cultural Heritage Center), Carol Beaty Hascall – “Now That’s a Good Tune.”
SPOTTED PONY [2], THE. (Unrelated to above). Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, Missouri. D Major. Standard tuning. AB (Silberberg): AA’BB (Phillips). See the related tune “Snowshoes.” Source for notated version: Pete McMahan (Mo.) [Phillips]. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), vol. 1, 1994; pg. 229 (“Spotted Pony 2”). Silberberg (Tunes I Learned at Tractor Tavern), 2002; pg. 148. June Appal Records, Dutch Cove Old Time String Band‑ “Sycamore Tea.” Rounder 0132, Bob Carlin ‑ “Fiddle Tunes for Clawhammer Banjo” (1980. Learned from Cindy Swiatlowski).
I think that is the first time I have seen a hammered dulcimer player performing barefoot.
That's for extra outdoors fiddling fun. 🙂
Lovely musical performance of Spotted Pony .
Thanks, Michael. I really like this tune. I liked it so much that I recorded it on my Fiddle Whamdiddle – Old School Old Time album.
https://www.vithefiddler.com/product/old-school-old-time-download/