Randy Howard (fiddler) explained

Randy Howard (1960–1999) was an American bluegrass, country and old time fiddler.

Early life

Howard was born in Georgia and grew up in Milledgeville.^[1] As a child, he learned to play several instruments, including fiddle, and won his first fiddle contest at the age of 18 in Union Grove, North Carolina.^[2]

Career

Howard was the first prize fiddler at the inaugural Tri-State Bluegrass Association fiddle contest in 1982.^[3] He worked as a session musician in Nashville beginning in 1990. He played with many well-known musicians and bands, including George Jones and Ricky Skaggs.^[4] He continued to win many fiddle contests.^{[5] [6] [7] [8]}

Howard performed on two albums with the Lonesome River Band. He was a guest artist on an album by Allen Shadd.^[9] He was named fiddle player of the year at the International Bluegrass Music Awards in 1996.^[10]

Howard died of cancer in 1999.^[11] That year, he was once more named fiddle player of the year at the International Bluegrass Music Awards.^{[12] [13]} An album of his recordings, I Rest My Case, was released posthumously by Sugar Hill Records in 2001.^[14]

Discography

Raw Guitar, Robin Kessinger^[15]

• Randy Howard, Atlantic, 1988^[16]
• One Step Forward, Lonesome River Band, Sugar Hill Records, 1996^[17]
• Finding the Way, Lonesome River Band Sugar Hill Records, 1998^[18]
• Shore to Shore, Mae McKenna, 1999^[19]
• I Rest My Case, 2001

Notes and References

1. http://www.unionrecorder.com/news/lifestyles/randy-d-howard-held-the-world-on-a-fiddle-string/article_2dfa5586-e1cc-5bbc-99f4-1e8ff85ad09a.html "Randy D. Howard held the world on a fiddle string."
2. Book: Drew Beisswenger. North American Fiddle Music: A Research and Information Guide. May 31, 2011. Routledge. 978-1-135-84723-4. 103–.
3. http://www.tsbafestivals.org/html/history.html "History of the Tri-State Bluegrass Association"
4. https://ifthataintcountry.net/2013/02/19/the-short-story-of-randy-howard-fiddler-extraordinaire/ "The short story of Randy Howard, fiddler extraordinaire"
5. Book: The Devil's Box. 1997. Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers' Association.. 67.
6. Book: Howard Wight Marshall. Play Me Something Quick and Devilish: Old-Time Fiddlers in Missouri. January 1, 2013. University of Missouri Press. 978-0-8262-7293-5. 101–.
7. http://bluegrasstoday.com/2012-grand-master-fiddle-champion/ "2012 Grand Master Fiddle Champion"
8. http://www.athens.edu/fiddlers/past-champs/ "The Past Alabama State Fiddle Champs!"
9. http://www.cybergrass.com/node/3775 "Miles from the Hard Road, New CD from Allen Shadd"
10. "Bluegrass Rumblings and Awards".Book: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Billboard. February 17, 1996. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. 34–. 0006-2510.
11. http://nodepression.com/album-review/james-price-fiddlin-old-time-way-randy-howard-i-rest-my-case-glen-duncan-self-titled "James Price – Fiddlin the Old-Time Way / Randy Howard – I Rest My Case / Glen Duncan – Self-Titled"
12. Bluegrass Awards Crown McCory, Book: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Billboard. October 30, 1999. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. 30–. 0006-2510.
13. Book: The Encyclopedia of Country Music. January 4, 2012. Oxford University Press. 978-0-19-992083-9. 622–.
14. http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p02326.htm "Review: I Rest My Case"
15. Book: The Old-time Herald: A Magazine Dedicated to Old-time Music. 1999. Old-Time Music Group. 42.
16. Book: Colin Larkin. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music: Grenfell, Joyce – Koller, Hans. 2006. MUZE. 978-0-19-531373-4. 392.
17. https://www.allmusic.com/album/one-step-forward-mw0000186020 Album listing, AllMusic.com
18. Book: Marty McGee. Traditional Musicians of the Central Blue Ridge: Old Time, Early Country, Folk and Bluegrass Label Recording Artists, with Discographies. March 1, 2000. McFarland. 978-0-7864-0876-4. 31.
19. http://www.musicaldiscoveries.com/reviews/maests.htm Album Review