John Hartford

John Hartford

Birth : 1937-12-30, New York City, New York, USA

Death : 2001-06-04

History

John Cowan Hartford was an American folk, country and bluegrass composer and musician known for his mastery of the fiddle and banjo, as well as for his witty lyrics, unique vocal style, and extensive knowledge of Mississippi River lore. Hartford performed with a variety of ensembles throughout his career, and is perhaps best known for his solo performances where he would interchange the guitar, banjo, and fiddle from song to song. He also invented his own shuffle tap dance move, and clogged on an amplified piece of plywood while he played and sang.

Profile

John Hartford
John Hartford
John Hartford

Movies

Big Family: The Story of Bluegrass Music
Self (archive footage)
Examine the history of bluegrass music, from its origins to its eventual worldwide popularity, and hear from dozens of musicians who explain the ways bluegrass music transcends generational, cultural and geographic boundaries.
Down from the Mountain
Self
On May 24, 2000, the historic Ryman Auditorium was booked to offer Nashvillians an evening of sublime beauty. Label executives and soundtrack producers so loved the music of O Brother, Where Art Thou? that they brought it to life as a benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame. Filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen loved it so much that they hired famed documentary filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker to record the show for posterity. The concert that unfolded that night was one of the greatest musical moments in the annals of Music City. Performers: John Hartford, Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Chris Thomas King, The Cox Family, Fairfield Four, Union Station, Colin Linden, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Peasall Sisters, Ralph Stanley, David Rawlings, The Whites.
Nanci Griffith: Other Voices, Other Rooms
Self
Nanci Griffith performs her Grammy Award winning album "Other Voices, Other Rooms" live at Paramount Theater in Austin, Texas on April 28th, 1993 with special guests including Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Odetta, John Prine, Guy Clark, Iris DeMent, and many more.
Banjoes, Fiddles & Riverboats: John Hartford and the General Jackson
Himself
Steamboatin' stories from those who lived them, river history, authentic footage and stills, along with music and narration by John Hartford.
The Return of the Beverly Hillbillies
Fiddle Player
Jed Clamplett and his backwoods family help solve an energy crisis in their own rustic ways for their Beverly Hills neighborhood they still cannot adjust to.