|
Bill Cheatum/Bill Cheatem/Bill Cheatham
Old-Time Southern Breakdown; fiddle tune with incidental lyrics
ARTIST: Sung by James Cole String Band 1928
Listen To: Fiddling Aruthur Smith w/ Earl Scruggs- Bill Cheatham (instrumental) 1957
Listen To: Dixie Playboys- Bill Cheatham (string band) circa 1940s
Listen To: McClain Family Band- Bill Cheatham (string band) 1976
Listen To: Quenton Brickey-- Bill Cheatham (mandolin solo) 1974
CATEGORY: Fiddle and Instrumental Tunes
EARLIEST DATE: before 1862; "One of the most celebrated bagpipe tunes in 1770," states Grattan Flood (1906) DATE: 1959
RECORDING INFO: Bill Cheatum [Me IV-E 10]
Bill Cheatham/Cheatem/Cheathum [Me IV-E 10]
Rm - Brilliancy Medley ; Charter Oak (Reel)
Brody, David (ed.) / Guitar Picker's Fakebook, Oak, Sof (1984), p 29
Alftin, Vivian. Hootenanny Hoedown, Dye, LP (1963), trk# A.03
Alftin, Vivian. National Oldtime Fiddlers' Contest & Folk Music Festival. 1964, NOTFC 64, CD (1964), trk# 31 (Belle Cheatum)
Bailey, Mike. Banjo Newsletter, BNL, Ser (1973-), 1984/11,p26
Baker, Kenny. Portrait of a Bluegrass Fiddler, County 719, LP (1968), trk# 6
Bird, Elmer. Home Sweet Home, Windy Ridge WR-10002, LP (1982), trk# B.05
Brody, David. Brody, David (ed.) / Fiddler's Fakebook, Oak, Sof (1983), p 41
Bryson, Wally; and the Blaylock Brothers. Bluegrass, Davis Unlimited DU 33011, LP (197?), trk# A.02
Burke, John. Fancy Pickin' and Plain Singing, Kicking Mule KM 202, LP (1977), trk# A.02 Burke, John. Burke, John (ed.) / Book of Old Time Fiddle Tunes for Banjo, Amsco, sof (1968), p24
Cascadia Folk Quartet. Cascadia Folk Quartet, Cascadia Folk 001, CD (1996), trk# 5b
Chernesky, Ed. Banjo Newsletter, BNL, Ser (1973-), 1984/07,p18
Clayton, Bob. Banjo Newsletter, BNL, Ser (1973-), 1980/01,p23
Clements, Vassar. Crossing the Catskills, Rounder 0016, LP (1972), trk# B.04
Clements, Vassar. Brody, David (ed.) / Fiddler's Fakebook, Oak, Sof (1983), p 42
Collins, Max. Thede, Marion (ed.) / The Fiddle Book, Oak, Bk (1967), p103a [1930s]
Conroy, Mike. Montana Mountain Fiddle, Alpha 08361, LP (198?), trk# A.01
Coyne, Eamonn. Through the Round Window, Compass 7 4345 2, CD (2002), trk# 8c
Crary, Dan. Frets (Magazine), Frets, Ser, 1982/05,p53
Crary, Dan. Frets (Magazine), Frets, Ser, 1982/06,p55
Cunningham, Bill. Cunningham, Bill / Hoedown Fiddle in America (How to Play It), Ryckman-Beck, fol (1977), p19
Cutler, Marty. Brody, David (ed.) / Banjo Picker's Fakebook, Oak, Fol (1985), p 29
Cutler, Marty. Banjo Newsletter, BNL, Ser (1973-), 1980/10,p 6
East Cobb County Cockfighters & Rural Musicians.... Devil's Riding Horse. 44th Annual Old Time Fiddler's Convention, Union Grove SS-2, LP (1978), trk# A.06 (Old Bill Cheatu Evans, G. D.. Banjo Newsletter, BNL, Ser (1973-), 1974/07,p 8
Fennigs All-Star String Band. Hammered Dulcimer Strikes Again, Front Hall FHR-010, LP (1977), trk# 4a
Fiddle Fever. Fiddling Celebration, Soaring Hawk SH 002, LP (1980), trk# A.01e
Flatt & Scruggs with Doc Watson. Strictly Instrumental, County CCS 117, CD/ (1995/1966), trk# 11
Frisbee, Dave. Fiddle Jam Sessions, Voyager VLRP 301, LP (1967), trk# 3 [1964]
George, Franklin/Frank. Swope's Knobs, Anachronistic 001, LP (1977), trk# 4.08 (Old Bill Cheatum)
George, Franklin/Frank. Traditional Music for Banjo, Fiddle & Bagpipes, County C 2703, Cas (1992/1967), trk# B.07
Griffin, Neil. Griffin, Neil / Banjo Fiddle Tunes, Mel Bay, Sof (1976), p40
High Strung. High Strung, Loose Noose ASM-489, LP (1981), trk# B.02a
Hildebrand, David & Ginger. Out on a Limb, Hildebrand H101, LP (198?), trk# 5c
Howling Gael. Rant and Roar, Grassroots GR 005, LP (1978), trk# B.01c
Jackson, Carl. Trischka, Tony (ed.) / Melodic Banjo, Oak, Sof (1976), p 84
Jones, Kelly. Authentic Old Time Fiddle Tunes, MSOTFA 005, Cas (1990/1975), trk# 5
Joyner, Carl. Hot Tarheel Fiddlin', Old Oblivion 00-4, Cas (199?/1974), trk# 17
Kimble Family. Old Time Herald, Old Time Herald, Ser, 2/6, p29(1990)
Kimmel, Dick. Banjo Newsletter, BNL, Ser (1973-), 1974/10,p 7 (Bill Cheatham/Cheatem/Cheathum)
Knopf, Bill. Bill Knopf on Banjo, American Heritage AH-401-524, LP (197?), trk# B.05
Knopf, Bill. Knopf, Bill / Hot Licks and Fiddle Tunes, Chappell, Sof (1976), p58
Kottke, Leo. Dreams and All That Stuff, Capitol ST-11335, LP (1974), trk# A.04
Krassen, Miles. Krassen, Miles / Appalachian Fiddle, Oak, sof (1973), p68
Lieberson, Richard. Lieberson, Richard / Old Time Fiddle Tunes for Guitar, Amsco, Sof (1974), p 50
Lowinger, Gene. Lowinger, Gene / Bluegrass Fiddle, Oak, fol (1974), p16
Lunceford, Ron (R. D.). Old Blue Tick, Lunceford, Cas (1997), trk# A.09c
Lundy, Ted; and the Southern Mountain Boys. 1st Annual Brandywine Mountain Music Convention, Heritage (Galax) 006, LP (1975), trk# 14
Mace, Lee;'s Ozark Opry. Some Old Favorites, Ozark Opry VJ 0011, Cas (198?), trk# B.06 (Ozark Fiddler)
Mangrum, Blind Joe; & Fred Schreiber. Nashville Early String Bands, Vol. 2, County 542, LP (1976), trk# A.07 [1928/10/06]
McMahan, Pete. Missouri Fiddlin' No. 2, RSS MLP-38, LP (198?), trk# 1
Michels, Amy. Fowl Farmer, Michels, CD (2002), trk# 17
Mountain Ramblers. 31st Annual Old Fiddlers Convention, Justice, LP (1966), trk# A.06 Munde, Alan. Frets (Magazine), Frets, Ser, 1982/12,p49
New Lost City Ramblers. String Band Instrumentals, Folkways FA 2492, LP (1964), trk# B.07
Northcutt, Bill. Old Time Hoedown, Stoneway STY 103, LP (196?), trk# 9
Pendleton, Buddy. Larry Richardson and the Blue Ridge Boys - with Buddy Pendleton, Old Blue OB 702, CD (2007), trk# 14 [1965]
Perkins, J. T.. Fiddle Favorites Perkins Style, Davis Unlimited DU 33017, LP (1975), trk# B.04
Pleasant Family. Old Time String Band, Pleasant --, CD (2005), trk# 13
Red Headed Fiddlers. Mountain Banjo, Songs and Tunes, County 515, LP (1968), trk# A.06 [1929/11ca] (Cheat 'Em)
Rhines, Marie. Reconciliation, Fretless 118, LP (1976), trk# B.06
Richards, Walt. In Touch with the Earth, Aton FM 75113, LP (198?), trk# A.05
Rivers, Jerry. Country-Western Radio. Rare Radio Recordings of Famous Count..., Radiola MR-1069, LP (1977), trk# A1.3
Robertson, Eck. Old Time Fiddle Classics, County 507, LP (196?), trk# A.03b [1929/10/11] (Brilliancy Medley)
Robic, A; and the Exertions. Old Time Music Dance Party, Flying Fish FF 415, LP (1987), trk# 3c
Rossbach, John. From the Mountains to the Mills, Chestnut CRCD 103, CD (2002), trk# 15
Sapoznik, Hank (Henry). Brody, David (ed.) / Banjo Picker's Fakebook, Oak, Fol (1985), p 28b
Silberberg, Gene. Silberberg, Gene (ed.) / Complete Fiddle Tunes I Either Did or Did Not., Silberberg, Fol (2005), p 14
Slater, Alec. Slater, Alec / Clawhammer Banjo Solos, Mel Bay, Sof (1979), p26 (Old Bill Cheatum)
Smith, Fiddlin' Arthur. Old Time Fiddle Classics, County 507, LP (196?), trk# B.05 [1940/10/07]
Smith, Floyd. Christeson, R. P. (ed.) / Old Time Fiddlers Repertory, Vol 1, Univ. of Missouri, Bk (1973), # 34 [1952/09]
Southern Mountain Boys. Galax Virginia; Old Fiddler's Convention, Folkways FA 2435, LP (1964), trk# B.05 [1961-63]
Sprung, Roger; & his Progressive Bluegrassers. Grassy Licks, Verve/Folkways FV 9037, LP (196?), trk# 11
Steeley, A. L. "Red". Kaufman, Alan (ed.) / Beginning Old-time Fiddle, Oak, sof (1977), p61 [1929/11ca]
Stinnett, Cyril. Mahoney's Reel, MSOTFA 105, Cas (1992), trk# 20
Stoneking, Lee R.. Echoes of the Ozarks, Guinn, LP (197?), A.05
Stony Mountain Boys. Galax Virginia; Old Fiddler's Convention, Folkways FA 2435, LP (1964), trk# A.03 [1961-63]
Sumner, Marion. Road To Home, June Appal JA 030, LP (1979), trk# 10
Thomason, Ron. Mandolin and Other Stuff, Kanawha RT-3, LP (198?), trk# A.04
Walters, Bob. Paddy on the Turnpike, MSOTFA 109, Cas (1993), trk# A.07
Watson, Doc. Doc Watson on Stage, Vanguard VSD 9/10, LP (1970), trk# 24b
MELODY OF: "Brilliancy Medley "
OTHER NAMES: "Brilliancy Medley;" "Bill Cheathum" "Bill Cheatham"
RELATED TO: Quayside Hornpipe; Charter Oak;
SOURCES: Folk Index; Meade; Kuntz
NOTES: Probably the most frequent title today is "Bill Cheatham." Other spellings include "Bill Cheatem," "Cheatum" and "Cheat 'Em." Meade gives a set of lyrics from the James Cole String Band in 1928. (See below).
All the recordings listed above are instrumental recordings. The earlierst is i nthe 1940s from the Dixie Playboys, who performed the cut live over Roanoke Country Radio station WSLS. They are a Roanoke band, that played traditional music and also emulated the popular sounds of the Sons of the Pioneers. Members of the Dixie Playboys include, but are not limited to: Virgil Simmons (fiddle), Wayne Flemming (steel guitar), Roy Lemmon (accordion, piano), Lawrence Sink (guitar), Paul Byrd (tenor banjo), Glenwood Howell (bass, guitar).
The Fiddlin' Arthur Smith with Earl Scruggs banjo and an unidentified guitar player come from a series of home recordings made in 1957.
Notes Kuntz: BILL CHEATUM [1]. AKA ‑ "Bill Cheatem," "Bill Cheatham," "Cheatum," "Cheat 'Em." Old‑Time, Breakdown. USA, widely known. A Major. Standard tuning. AABB (most versions): AA'BB' (Kaufman). Krassen and others note this is a common fiddle tune throughout the Southern part of the United States, where it probably originated (Christeson says he did not hear the tune in Missouri until the mid‑1940's). The tune was a fiddle contest "category" tune in 1899 in Gallatin, Tenn.--each fiddler would play a version, with the best rendition being awarded a prize (C. Wolfe, The Devil's Box, Vol. 14, No. 4, 12/1/80). The earliest sound recording of the tune is by Texas fiddler Eck Robertson, in 1922, played as part of his “Brilliancy Medley.” The Allen Brothers recorded it as “Cheat ‘Em.” Tennessee’s “Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith” recorded it in 1940. Sources for notated versions: Floyd Smith (Cole County, Missouri) [Christeson]: Max Collins (Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma) [Thede]: Krassen credits the Texas based Red Headed Fiddlers and Henry Reed (Va.) for the version he gives in his book: A.L. Steeley & the Red Headed Fiddlers [Kaufman]; Glen Bilyeu (1919-1977, Taney County, Missouri) [Beisswenger & McCann]. Beisswenger & McCann (Ozark Fiddle Music), 2008; pg. 171. Brody (Fiddler’s Fakebook), 1983: pg. 41. R.P. Christeson (Old Time Fiddlers Repertory, vol. 1), 1973; No. 34, pg. 24. Kaufman (Beginning Old Time Fiddle), 1977; pg. 61. Krassen (Appalachian Fiddle), 1973; pg. 68. Lowinger (Bluegrass Fiddle), 1974; pg. 16. Phillips (Fiddlecase Tunebook), 1989; pg. 5. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), 1994; pg. 24. Reiner (Anthology of Fiddle Styles), 1977; pg. 31. Silberberg (93 Fiddle Tunes I Didn’t Learn at Tractor Tavern), 2004; pg. 5. Thede (The Fiddle Book), 1967; pg. 103 (appears as "Bill Cheatem"). Alcazar Dance Series ALC 202, Sandy Bradley ‑ "Potluck & Dance Tonite!" (1979). County 515, "Mountain Banjo Songs and Tunes." County 542, Blind Joe Mangrum (b. 1853, Paducah, Ky.) ‑ "Nashville: the Early String Bands, vol. 2" (originally recorded in 1928 for Victor). County 719, Kenny Baker ‑ "Portrait of a Bluegrass Fiddler" (1968). Front Hall 010, Fennigs All Star String Band ‑ "The Hammered Dulcimer Strikes Again." Kicking Mule 202, John Burke ‑ "Fancy Pickin' and Plain Singing." Library of Congress recording, 1939, W.A. Bledsoe, Meridian, Mississippi. Mountain 301, Kyle Creed ‑ "Blue Ridge Style Square Dance Time." Rounder 0016, Vasser Clements ‑ "Crossing the Catskills." Rounder 0093, Jerry Douglas ‑ "Fluxology." Rounder 7002, Graham Townsend‑‑"Le Violin/The Fiddle."
BILL CHEATHAM [2]. Bluegrass, Breakdown. A Major. Standard tuning. ABB. Brody (Fiddler’s Fakebook), 1983; pg. 42. Brunswick 470 (78 RPM), Red Headed Fiddler. County 506, Arthur Smith & the Delmore Brothers ‑ "Old Time Fiddle Classics." Folkways 2492, New Lost City Ramblers ‑ "String Band Instrumentals" (1964. Learned from recordings of the Red Headed Fiddler and Eck Robertson). Folkways FTS 31036, Roger Sprung ‑ "Grassy Licks." June Appal 030, Marion Sumner ‑ "Road to Home." Prize 498‑02, Carl Jackson‑ "Bluegrass Festival." Rounder 7002, Graham Townsend ‑ "Le Violin/The Fiddle." Vanguard VSD 9/10, Doc Watson ‑ "On Stage." Victor 40298A (78 RPM), Eck Robertson ‑ "Brilliancy Medley."
BILL CHEATEM- James Cole String Band 1928
I know a man named Bill Cheatem,
He bought some peanuts and let me eat 'em.
|