A Little Jimmy Driftwood

[Deleted]

I was trying to find Ralph McTell's Run Johny Run played with Bert Jansch, without luck, when I came across Jimmy Driftwood playing a completely different song, also called Run Johny Run. I love it.







His grandfather made his guitar, from the headboard of his grandma's bed.







played a dobro







and lived to be over 100.

[Michael Messer]

Jimmy Driftwood was a great artist that became an important part of the Nashville community. He wrote some very well known songs, the most famous ones are Tennessee Stud and The Battle of New Orleans. I first heard his name on the very wonderful 1975 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, "Symphonion Dream", and then again around that time on their 1971 all star album, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken", with Doc Watson playing Tennessee Stud. Will The Circle... is an extraordinary piece of work, especially for its time. Later I became more aware of him because his name cropped up in the writing credits on so many albums. He wrote hundreds of songs that were recorded by Nashville artists. Jimmy was a regular performer at the Ryman Auditorium "Grand Ole Opry" in Nashville and it was there that my brother, Alan Messer, photographed him on a few occasions.



From the UA album "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" (UAS-9801) Lead Guitar/Lead Vocals: Doc Watson. Fiddle: Vassar Clements. Banjo: John McEuen. Harmonica: Jimmie Fadden. Rhythm Guitar: Jim Ibbotson. Backing Vocals: Jeff Hanna. Bass: Junior Huskey. Songwriter: Jimmie Driftwood



From the Symphonion Dream album..1975.. Jimmy Ibbotson - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, ARP, Accordian, Percussion.. John McEuen - Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle, Acoustic Guitar, Dobro, Lap Steel, Electric Guitar.. Jimmie Fadden - Drums, Percussion, Harmonica.. Jeff Hanna - Vocals, Guitars, Slide Guitar, Percussion.

"Symphonion Dream" and "Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy" were both special albums for me in the 1970s.



Shine On
Michael