Herman Johnson Master Fiddler

Transcribed and edited by one of Herman Johnson's former students, this book offers 39 solos in the inimitable smooth, precise, and innovative Johnson style. Inspired in his youth by Bob Wills of the Texas Playboys, Johnson learned tunes by listening to records and the radio. At 16, he successfully auditioned to play in Wills' band, but was then too young to join the musicians union. Johnson went on to a distinguished career as a performer and contest fiddler, winning the National Fiddling Championship in Weiser, Idaho five times, the only player to reign undefeated each year he entered the contest. He also won the Grand Masters Championship in Nashville. Many of the intermediate to advanced-level selections in this collection were drawn from Johnson's 1993 recording, Simply Perfect. Includes access to online audio.