Roots of American Fiddle Music - Early Fiddlers
 
Uncle Dave Macon

Uncle Dave Macon was born in 1870 in Smartt Station, Tennessee.  His father was a distiller and when the family moved to Nashville about 1883, Macon's mother operated a hotel that was a headquarters for travelling vaudeville act.  Here the broad variety of musicians, gospel, vaudville and others were to shape his musical  career. They only stayed in nashville three years however, then moved back to the rural countryside (Readyville), where Uncle Dave spent most of the rest of his life. His initial recordings were made in 1924 with fiddler-singer-guitarist Sid Harkreader.  Later, he teamed up with guitarist  Sam McGee and his fiddling brother Kirk in the early 1920's to record a prolific body of material consisting a breakdowns, gospel, humorous, and other styles. Mazy Todd, an excellent traditional fiddler, was also part of his group when the Fruit Jar Drinkers were formed.

Thanks to Charles Wolfe for additions and corrections.
 

The following is in part from Jane Keefer's Folk Song Database.

Uncle Dave Macon
   Appearance as principal performer

  1. Ain't Nobody's Business
  2. All Down and Out Blues
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 4 
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 15 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #A.02 
    • Grass Roots Harmony, Oak (1968), p.52 
  3. Arcade Blues
    • Wait Till the Clouds Roll By, Historical HLP-8006 (196?), cut # 8 
  4. Beautiful Love
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 14 
  5. Bible's True
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 8b 
  6. Bully of the Town
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 3 
  7. Bum Hotel
    • Uncle Dave Macon, Vol. 2, Vetco LP 105 (197?), cut # 7
    • Old Time String Band (Old 78's Tape) - Vol. 1, (), cut # 12 
  8. Carry Me Back To Old Virginny
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 16 
  9. Carve That Possum
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 5
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 34 
  10. Chewing Gum
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 16 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 18b
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 14 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #B.06a
  11. Come Dearest the Daylight is Dawning
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 5 
  12. Come On Buddie Don't You Want to Go
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 3 
  13. Cotton-Eyed Joe
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 12 
  14. Country Ham and Red Gravy
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 5 
  15. Cumberland Mountain Deer Race
    • Smokey Mountain Ballads, RCA LPV-507 (1964), cut # 1 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 3 
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear amily LC 15214 (1987), cut # 1 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #A.01 
  16. Darling Zelma Lee
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 3 
  17. Death of John Henry
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 2 
    • Wait Till the Clouds Roll By, Historical HLP-8006 (196?), cut # 2
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 14 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 22 
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 8 
  18. Don't Get Weary (Children)
    • Mountain Banjo, Songs and Tunes, County 515 (1968), cut # 1
  19. Don't Say I Told You
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 30 
  20. Don't You Look for Trouble
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 7 
  21. Down By the Riverside
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 5 
  22. Down in the Arkansas
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 26 
  23. Eleven Cent Cotton
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 15 
  24. Elephant March
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 19 
  25. Fame Apart from God's Approval
    • Wait Till the Clouds Roll By, Historical HLP-8006 (196?), cut # 1 
  26. Fox Chase
    • Folk Music in America, Vol.14, Solo & Display Music, Library of Congress LBC-14 (1978), cut # 5 
  27. From Heaven to Earth
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 18 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 5 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #A.03 
  28. From Jerusalem to Jerico
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 17 
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 11 
    • Old Time String Band (Old 78's Tape) - Vol. 1, (), cut # 10 
  29. Gal That Got Stuck On Everything She Said
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 1 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 6 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #A.04a 
  30. Girl I Left Behind Me
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 25 
  31. Go 'Long Mule
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 3 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 17
  32. Going Across the Sea
    • Uncle Dave Macon. Early Recordings, County 521 (197?), cut # 9 
  33. Go On Nora Lee
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 1 
  34. Governor Al Smith
    • Uncle Dave Macon. Early Recordings, County 521 (197?), cut # 2 
  35. Greenback
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 17 
  36. Grey Cat On A Tennessee Farm
    • Uncle Dave Macon. Early Recordings, County 521 (197?), cut # 3 
    • Old Time String Band (Old 78's Tape) - Vol. 3, (), cut # 3 
  37. Gwine Back to Dixie
    • Uncle Dave Macon. Early Recordings, County 521 (197?), cut # 8 
  38. He Won the Heart of Sarah Jane
    • Uncle Dave Macon, Vol. 2, Vetco LP 105 (197?), cut # 11 
  39. Hold on to the Sleigh
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 2b 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 20 
  40. Hold the/that Woodpile Down
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 8 
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 9 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 8 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #A.06 
  41. How Beautiful Heaven Must Be
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 18 
  42. Hungry Hash House (Blues)
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 16 
  43. I'll Never Go There Anymore
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 11 
  44. I'll Never Go There Anymore
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 4 
  45. I'll Rise When the Rooster Crows
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 1b 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 15 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 33 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #B.04 
  46. I'm Drifting Farther from You
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 12 
  47. I'm Free I've Broken the Chains
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 8 
  48. I'm Going Away to Leave
    • Old Time String Band (Old 78's Tape) - Vol. 3, (), cut # 1 
  49. I'm the Child to Fight
    • Wait Till the Clouds Roll By, Historical HLP-8006 (196?), cut # 7 
    • Old Time String Band (Old 78's Tape) - Vol. 1, (), cut # 11 
  50. I've Got the Mourning Blues
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 7 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #A.05 
  51. In and Around Nashvile (Part 3)
    • Folk Music in America, Vol.12, Songs of Local History & Events, Library of Congress LBC-12 (1978), cut # 8 
  52. In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 7 
  53. In The Good Old Summertime
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 13 
  54. Jenny Put the Kettle On
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 20 
  55. Johnny Grey
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 13 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 9 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #A.07 
  56. Jordan Is A Hard Road To Travel
    • Uncle Dave Macon, Vol. 2, Vetco LP 105 (197?), cut # 5 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 11 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #A.08 
  57. Just One Way to the Pearly Gates
    • Uncle Dave Macon. Early Recordings, County 521 (197?), cut # 12 
  58. Just Tell Them That You Saw Me
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 4 
  59. Kissing Song
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 21 
  60. Lady in the Car
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 11 
  61. Late Last Night
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 12 
  62. Laugh Your Blues Away
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 9 
  63. Lolly Too Dum
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 12 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #B.01 
  64. Long John Green
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 10 
  65. Miss McCleod's Reel
    • Wait Till the Clouds Roll By, Historical HLP-8006 (196?), cut # 6 
  66. More Like Your Dad Everyday
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 8 
  67. Mountain Dew
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 4 
  68. My Girls a High Born Lady
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 17 
  69. Mysteries of the World
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 2 
  70. Never Make Love No More
    • Wait Till the Clouds Roll By, Historical HLP-8006 (196?), cut # 5 
  71. New Ford Car
    • Uncle Dave Macon, Vol. 2, Vetco LP 105 (197?), cut # 2 
  72. Nobody's Darling
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 6 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 18a 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #B.06b 
  73. No One to Welcome Me Home
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 18 
  74. Oh Baby, You Done Me Wrong
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 7 
  75. Oh, Lovin' Babe
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 4 
  76. Old Man's Drunk Again
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 13b 
  77. Old Maid's Love Song
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 5 
  78. Old Man's Drunk Again
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #B.02b 
  79. Old Ship of Zion
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 9 
  80. Old Ties
    • Wait Till the Clouds Roll By, Historical HLP-8006 (196?), cut # 3 
  81. One More River to Cross
    • Wait Till the Clouds Roll By, Historical HLP-8006 (196?), cut # 4 
  82. On the Dixie Bee Line
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 3 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 32 
  83. Over the Road I'm Bound to Go
    • Nashville Early String Bands, Vol. 2, County 542 (), cut # 2 
  84. Over the Mountain
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 13 
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 7 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 14 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #B.03 
  85. Peekaboo (Song)
    • Uncle Dave Macon, Vol. 2, Vetco LP 105 (197?), cut # 8 
  86. Poor Sinner Fare You Well
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 4 
  87. Prodigal's Return
    • Uncle Dave Macon, Vol. 2, Vetco LP 105 (197?), cut # 12 
  88. Rabbit in the Pea Patch
    • Uncle Dave Macon. Early Recordings, County 521 (197?), cut # 7 
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 2 
  89. Railroading and Gambling
    • Nashville Early String Bands, Vol. 1, County 541 (), cut # 2 
  90. Railroading and Gambling
    • Smokey Mountain Ballads, RCA LPV-507 (1964), cut # 12 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 24 
  91. Rock of Ages
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 27b
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 6 
  92. Roll Down the Line
    • American Folk Music; Vol. 3, Songs, Folkways FA 2953 (1952), cut # 79 
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 10 
    • Wait Till the Clouds Roll By, Historical HLP-8006 (196?), cut # 11 
    •  Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 2 
  93. Run, Boy, Run
    • Uncle Dave Macon, Vol. 2, Vetco LP 105 (197?), cut # 10 
  94. Rye Straw
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 10 
  95. Sail Away Ladies
    • Uncle Dave Macon. Early Recordings, County 521 (197?), cut # 1 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 31 
  96. Saro Jane
    • Uncle Dave Macon. Early Recordings, County 521 (197?), cut # 11 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 23 
  97. She'll Be Coming Around The Mountain
    • Uncle Dave Macon, Vol. 2, Vetco LP 105 (197?), cut # 9 
  98. She's Got the Money, Too
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 1 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 28 
  99. She Wouldn't Give Me Sugar in my Coffee
    • Wait Till the Clouds Roll By, Historical HLP-8006 (196?), cut # 9 
  100. Shout Monah, You Shall Be Free
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 6b 
  101. Skillet Good and Greasy
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 16 
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 7 
  102. Sleepy Lou
    • Wait Till the Clouds Roll By, Historical HLP-8006 (196?), cut # 12 
  103. Something's Always Sure to Tickle Me
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 12 
    • At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 13 
  104. Station Will Be Closed After Awhile
    • Uncle Dave Macon, Vol. 2, Vetco LP 105 (197?), cut # 6b 
  105. Susie Lee
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 10 
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 9 
  106. Sweet Bunch of Daisies
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 1a 
  107. Sweet Marie
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 2a 
  108. Take Me Back to my Old Carolina Home
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 10 
  109. Take Me Home, Poor Julia
    • Uncle Dave Macon. Early Recordings, County 521 (197?), cut # 5 
  110. Tennessee Jubilee
    • Tennessee Strings, Rounder 1033 (197?), cut # 10 
  111. Tennessee Red Fox Chase
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 10 
  112. Thank God for Everything
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 15 
  113. That's Where My Money Goes, At Home, His Last Recordings, 1950., Bear Family LC 15214 (1987), cut # 9 
  114. They're After Me
    • Old Time String Band (Old 78's Tape) - Vol. 3, (), cut # 2 
  115. Think of (the) Days That Were Gone, Maggie
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 13a 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #B.02a 
  116. Tom and Jerry
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 11 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #B.05 
  117. Tossing the Baby So High
    • Uncle Dave Macon, Vol. 2, Vetco LP 105 (197?), cut # 4 
  118. Travelin' Down the Road
    • Uncle Dave Macon, Vol. 2, Vetco LP 105 (197?), cut # 1 
  119. Travellin' On My Mind
    • Laugh Your Blues Away, Rounder 1028 (1979), cut # 11 
  120. Turkey in the Straw
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 2 
    • Tennessee Strings, Rounder 1033 (197?), cut # 10a 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #A.04b 
  121. Uncle Dave Banjo Solo
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 6a 
  122. Uncle Dave Banjo Solo
    • Uncle Dave Macon, Vol. 2, Vetco LP 105 (197?), cut # 6a 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 27a 
  123. Uncle Ned
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 29 
  124. Wait 'Till the Clouds Roll ByWait
    • Wait Till the Clouds Roll By, Historical HLP-8006 (196?), cut # 10 
  125. Walking in Sunlight
    • Uncle Dave Macon. Early Recordings, County 521 (197?), cut # 6 
  126. Way Down the Old Plank Road
    • American Folk Music; Vol. 3, Songs, Folkways FA 2953 (1952), cut # 78 
    • Uncle Dave Macon. Early Recordings, County 521 (197?), cut # 4 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 1 
  127. We're Up Against It Now
    • Poor Man, Rich Man: American Country Songs of Protest, Rounder 1026 (198?), cut # 10 
  128. When Reubin Comes to Town
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 6 
  129. When the Train Comes Along
    • Go 'Long Mule, County 545 (197?), cut # 14
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 19 
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #B.07 
  130. Whoop 'Em Up Cindy
    • Uncle Dave Macon, Vol. 2, Vetco LP 105 (197?), cut # 3 
  131. Will There Be Any Stars
    • Dixie Dewdrop (Vol. 1), Vetco LP 101 (197?), cut # 8a 
  132. Worthy of Estimation
    • Uncle Dave Macon. Early Recordings, County 521 (197?), cut # 10 
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 35 
  133. Wreck of the Tennessee Gravy Train
    • Uncle Dave Macon (Old 78's Tape), (), cut # 21 
  134. Wreck of the Tennessee Gravy Train
    • Uncle Dave Macon, RBF RF 51 (1963), cut #B.08 
  135. You've Been A Friend To Me
    • From Heaven To Earth. Vol 3, Vetco LP 108 (197?), cut # 6 
   Side Performer Appearance 
Folk Music in America, Vol. 3, Dance Music, Breakdowns & Waltzes, Library of Congress LBC-03 

Going Down The Valley; Vocal & Instrumental Music from the South, New World NW 236 

Uncle Dave Macon & the Fruit Jar Drinkers
   Appearance as principal performer
  1. Bake That Chicken Pie
    • Nashville Early String Bands, Vol. 2, County 542 (), cut # 13 
  2. Carve That Possum
    • Going Down The Valley; Vocal & Instrumental Music from the South, New World NW 236 (1977), cut # 9 
  3. I'm Going Away in the Morn
    • Nashville Early String Bands, Vol. 1, County 541 (), cut # 7 
  4. Rabbit in the Pea Patch
    • Folk Music in America, Vol. 3, Dance Music, Breakdowns & Waltzes, Library of Congress LBC-03 (), cut # 12 
  5. Tell Her to Come Back Home
    • Tennessee Strings, Rounder 1033 (197?), cut # 9

 
 
 

 

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