In 1994, I gathered with friends at the Flora, IL studio of Crusade Enterprises.  As we sat collecting our wits for the long day’s recording session, our engineer, Bill, entered the room and exclaimed, “Hey!  We’ve got everything we need for a perfect day!”

As my mind had been on our fickle Illinois weather and preparations for the day, I said, “Yes, we’ve really been praying about that.”

After the room had filled with peals of laughter, I was told of the huge package of bathroom tissue, which Bill held in mock triumph as he made the statement.  Thus began the recording session for my album project, “Music From The Heart”.

“Music From The Heart” is the result of my study of traditional fiddle music.  This instrumental collection portrays the traditional old-time fiddler in a style, reminiscent of the grandfather who, after a week of hard work, sat on the front porch and played his fiddle on a Sunday afternoon.  In 1994, the homespun sound of traditional old-time fiddler, Ernie Ringo (who passed away in 1996), was captured in the studio recording of 17 traditional and popular fiddle tunes, including “Arkansas Traveler”, “Sweet Georgia Brown”, “Waltz of Shannon” and an “Old-Time Schottische Medley”.  Ernie’s wife, Doloris (who passed away in 2002) joined him at the piano on a few selected pieces during the 1994 session.  He was also accompanied by other traditional instruments featuring studio musician Bill Casolari, and piano featuring “yours truly” Laurel Jean. The Ringos were in their eighties when this recording was made.
 

Feel free to enjoy the following music from this collection featuring old-time fiddler, Ernie Ringo	HiFi	LoFi
Leather Britches,  featuring piano by Laurel Jean
Old-Time Schottische Medley,  featuring piano and harmony fiddle by Laurel Jean
Arkansas Traveler,  featuring piano by Laurel Jean
Ramona’s Waltz,  featuring piano by Doloris Ringo and harmony fiddle by Laurel Jean

“Music From the Heart” was reviewed in 1996 by the National Old-Time Fiddlers Association under the presidency of David Hendry, and also in the quarterly fiddle publication of the Tennessee Folklore Society, as edited by Stephen Davis.  The producer (Laurel Jean Walden) has secured all necessary copyrights and licenses for this project.

I have truly enjoyed sharing this collection with those who appreciate traditional fiddle music, and have received a lot of nice comments from folks around the world.  Thanks to all who have helped to make this production a success.

While the 17-song CD has been discontinued and added to my personal vault, a number of cassettes from the project, featuring twelve of the seventeen tunes, are still available.  You can obtain these by bidding on my EBay auctions, or by purchasing them directly from Music By Laurel Jean.
 

Two of my albums “Mood Swings” and “Peaches & Honey” continue to feature my arrangements of traditional fiddle music.  Learn more about these and hear samples on my “Albums, Etcetera” Page.

You are also invited to share comments on “Music From The Heart”, or other thoughts on Old-Time music (including related Web sites). Feel free to post a “New Topic” in my Guestbook.

Stay tuned for more features and new releases by signing up to receive my Email Newsletter “Laurel Jean’s MusicNotes”.