I wonder if he was doing that deliberately, pushing the fretted strings up to make them sharper. It could just be the recording speeding up and slowing down too . . .

Still, the phrasing is pure fire.

racing though the backroads.

I believe that's why it was such a perfect song for the movie "Bonnie and Clyde."

to oppose the Vietnam War.

in Washington. This was the first rally and it was a really intense day.

Snuffy Jenkins had developed a similar style during the 1930's, several others had picked it up from him. While Snuffy recorded some earlier, in 1940 his band recorded nearly forty songs that provide an amazing snapshot of NC & SC music before Bill Monroe moved here and teamed up with Lester and Earl.

The band went by several names, the recordings used "Byron Parker and the Moutaineers". A collection with all those tracks was released about a year ago. You can find and sample them on iTunes by searching on that name. Parker was the station announcer in Columbia, SC and for their radio show, but he did not play or sing.

In 1940, they were probably the most popular band in SC and much of NC. After the war, Snuffy and Homer Pappy Sherrill would perform together until Snuffy's death. I knew Clyde Skippy Robbins, like Jenkins from Harris, NC. They all remained friends. There are family recordings of them in their 80s having fun playing together. They still had it.

I expect many of you will be surprised when listen to the Hillbillies / Mountaineers / Hired Hands. Love your feedback.