Charlie Kennedy and Violins. Recorded at the 1999 Arizona Folklore Preserve, hosted by Dolan Ellis and Ken Moore. This recording was made by John Shaver, an Arizona Folklore Preserve Board member, with Dolan Ellis, Arizona's Official State Balladeer as the host. This performance took place at the Arizona Folklore Preserve in Ramsey Canyon, near Sierra Vista, and was one of the first and last presentations that Charlie Kennedy gave in his life. Even though he was highly regarded as a fiddle-maker for many years by fiddle players, his talents were largely unknown to the general public of Arizona. Recognizing Charlie's great talent, Dolan Ellis invited Charlie to perform at the Arizona Folklore Preserve, where he became a great favorite with the audiences who come there on the weekends for folk performances.
Charlie Kennedy participated in many fiddle contests around the Southwest, both as a player and a judge. He and his wife Nancy resided in Southeastern Arizona near Elfrida. Before his death, Charlie donated one of his miniature fiddles to the Arizona Folklore Preserve, where it is on display. The Arizona Folklore Preserve, and its founder, Dolan Ellis, are grateful and proud that Charlie Kennedy is now available to students and the general public on this website.
Charlie Kennedy describes how he became involved in making fiddles. MP3
Charlie Kennedy describes how, after losing three fingers in an accident, he fashioned three "wooden fingers" and continues to play. MP3
Jumping the Strings With Wooden Fingers, with Charlie Kennedy playing his hand made fiddle and Ken Moore on guitar. MP3
Charlie Kennedy performs and leads the audience in a rendition of May the Road Rise Up to Meet You, with Dolan Ellis and Ken Moore. MP3
John "Buck" Ryberg
performed "Cool Water" and
"Man Walks Among Us" on November 7, 2008, at Pima Community College's Community Education Lecture Series: "Ranching in Southern Arizona"
Tying Knots in the Devil's Tail, performed by Dudley Whitlock. Recorded at Tucson Meet Yourself 10/10/81 (reel 12) MP3
Sierry Petes, performed by Marvin Bennett and Slim Kite. Recorded at Tucson Meet Yourself 10/12/85 (reel 5) MP3
All Kinds of Cowboys, told by Everett Brisidine. Recorded at Tucson Meet Yourself 10/10/81 (reel 12) MP3
Cowpuncher Story, told by Marvin Bennet and Slim Kite. Recorded at Tucson Meet Yourself 10/12/85 (reel 6) MP3
It's the End of My Roundup Days, performed by Frank and Rena Trammel. Recorded at Tucson Meet Yourself 10/10/81 (reel 13) MP3
Yavapai Pete, performed by Marvin Bennet and Slim Kite. Recorded at Tucson Meet Yourself 10/12/85 (reel 6) MP3