Description
Lynn “Chirps” Smith was born and raised in downstate Illinois. As a young man, he played with the Indian Creek Delta Boys (FRC607) and learned fiddle tunes directly from old-timers, including Harvey “Pappy” Taylor and Noah Beavers. This homemade music was transported to the Midwest by homesteaders who, bringing their fiddle tunes with them, multiplied them by learning new ones from their neighbors. Chirps became a regular player at Chicago Barn Dance Company’s dances after moving to Chicago in 1978. Since 1985, he has played lead fiddle in the Volo Bogtrotters string band and currently plays in the New Bad Habits. These recordings are selected from five CDs of Chirps’ home recordings.
Additional Notes: Rambling Reminisces of How I Came to Play Old-Time Music
Track List
FRC608 – Chirps Smith – Illinois Old Time Fiddler</strong
- Old Red Barn (1:17) From Alan Woodard
- Doc Corn’s Tune (1:52) Fiddle/Banjo Source: John Ray “Doc” Corn
- Shades of Death Creek (1:24) By Lynn “Chirps” Smith
- Safe Harbor Rag (1:59) From Mark Sewell
- Straw Bonnet (2:01) From Harvey “Pappy” Taylor Jake’s Best Reel (2:03
From Dwight Lamb
- Little Daisy (2:47) From Chris Petrakos, Don Pedi & Bruce Greene
- Old 22 (2:42) From Paul Tyler Via 1926 Fort Wayne, In Tune Book
- Week Before Christmas (2:39) By Lynn “Chirps” Smith
- Brian O’ Lynn (2:40) From Belhavel Trio
- Greasy Coat (2:42) Banjo Source: Various
- Root Hog Or Die (2:39) From Bill Mansfield
- Zack Wheat’s Piece (2:32) From Charlie Walden & Others
- Jump Fingers (2:27) From Bob Walters
- Tite’s Old Shawneetown (2:05) From Byford Tite
- Dog Treed A Possum Up The White Oak Tree (2:57) From Bill Rintz &
Ivan Dodge
- Sourwood Mountain (2:29) From Frank Proffitt & Others
- Red River Jig (2:53) From Arthur Joseph Boulay
- The Cat In The Cobbler Shop (2:53) From Elvin Louveau
- Making Hay (2:26) From Harvey “Pappy” Taylor Shabroc (2:56) From Bill
Clerc
- Old Reunion (2:35) From Nile Wilson
- Sweet Bundy (2:56) From Lotus Dickey
- Forty Miles From Georgetown Without Any Whiskey (2:32) From Ben Woods
- Buffalo Gals (3:13) From John Hatcher
- Chapel Hill Serenade (2:51) From Emmett Lundy & Alan Jabbour
- Citaco (2:44) From Swamp Rooters
- Lonesome Prairie (3:16) By Lynn “Chirps” Smith
