New Southern Cowtippers
Old Time American Songs and Tunes The New Southern Cowtippers reach deep into the musical roots of America. Old-time country hits, Appalachian fiddle tunes, Irish tunes, ragtime, northern folk, bluegrass, original performance art songs, with a sprinkling of creole gumbo. The music of America reflects this melting pot. Experienced musicians, this acoustic ensemble delivers an entertaining journey through American music, beginning in the 1920s with old time string bands and early country music. The songs celebrate food, animals, water, trains, and just plain fun. They also reflect square dance traditions of early American music. Sandy Hofferth was influenced by Kentucky, North Carolina, and W. Virginia fiddling. Her bona fides come from ribbons at numerous fiddle conventions over the years, including the Farm Museum in Carroll County, most recently placing 2nd in senior fiddle in the Appalachian String Band Music Festival, the world-renowned venue for old-time traditional music. Howard Zane plays thumb-lead style, clawhammer, and regular “knock down” style, the way he learned from “Uncle Bob,” whose father had been a regimental banjoist for a unit from Alabama during the Civil War. Since then he’s been influenced by Dwight Diller, Neal Walters, Bob Flesher, Reed Martin, and Gerry Milnes, all really great banjo players.” Originally from Northern California, Shirley Echols played classical violin and performed as a song leader/guitarist in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. Later, in El Paso, Texas, she played violin in Mariachi San Pablo and went on to perform with the New York State Old Tyme Fiddlers Association, playing guitar, old time fiddle, and, now, the bass fiddle. The Cowtippers phone number is 410-730-1036 and e-mail address is hofferth@umd.edu or hzane1@verizon.net. |
