Clarence Horton Greene
Encyclopedia
Clarence Horton Greene was an American
musician
and recording artist, noted for his fiddle
and guitar
work, and a pioneer in country music
of the 1920s.
, United States
. A naturally gifted musician, in his teens he played fiddle in the Greene Brothers String Band, which also featured his brother Baxter Greene on fiddle. Greene played with numerous musical ensembles in the mountains of Western North Carolina and Northeastern Tennessee, and once beat Jimmie Rodgers
in a guitar-picking contest. According to Greene's fellow musician and musical contemporary, Walter Davis
, both Greene and Davis advanced their prowess on guitar by observing itinerant country blues artist Blind Lemon Jefferson
, who played on the streets of Johnson City, Tennessee
, during the early 1920s.
From 1927 through 1931, Greene recorded 28 songs released by 11 different record companies. He participated in the 1928 and 1929 Columbia Records’ field studio sessions in Johnson City conducted by Columbia producer Frank Walker and the 1928 Victor sessions hosted by Ralph Peer in Bristol, Tennessee. From the 1928 Columbia sessions emerged a regional hit song, "Johnson City Blues," in which Greene adapted Ida Cox
's tune "Chattanooga Blues" to fit Johnson City. In that era, prior to copyright
ing of songs, there was a “public domain” attitude toward songwriting with the artist’s style of the song being considered the original feature and not the lyrics. Greene was also present at the 1927 recording session in Atlanta when The Allen Brothers
recorded "Chattanooga Blues". Greene's interpretation is closer in vocal style and tempo to the Ida Cox version with the exception that he replaces piano accompaniment with guitar.
In 1929, Greene recorded again for Frank Walker in Johnson City with a group called Byrd Moore’s Hot Shots. This trio featured Byrd Moore (guitar, baritone vocal), Clarence "Tom" Ashley (guitar, lead vocal), and Clarence Greene (fiddle, tenor vocal). The mountain ballad, "Frankie Silvers", is the best known tune recorded by the Hot Shots in 1929. Tom Ashley's recording, "Coo Coo Bird", was also recorded at this session at which Greene did no solo recordings.
In 1931, Greene recorded in New York City
for the American Record Company with a group called the Blue Ridge Mountain Entertainers. This group included Greene (fiddle, vocals), Tom Ashley (guitar, vocals), Gwin Foster (guitar, harmonica), Walter Davis (guitar), and Will Abernathy (autoharp, harmonica). These sessions produced fifteen songs eventually released on seven other record labels than American: Conqueror, Romeo, Oriole, Banner, Vocalion, Perfect, and Melotone.
While working in a variety of occupations from construction to mica mining, Greene continued to play music at square dances and local functions until the end of his life. He died on October 22, 1961, and is buried at Bear Creek Cemetery in Ledger, North Carolina.
Greene was a talented musician and contemporary of Jimmie Rodgers, Blind Lemon Jefferson, the Allen Brothers and a host of America's first recording stars. Unfortunately for Greene there was not only a casual attitude toward musical lyrics then, as his last name was misspelled by Columbia on his recordings (a mistake perpetuated today on old-time music anthologies). Columbia released "Johnson City Blues" as performed by Clarence Green rather than the correct spelling of Greene, with the final “e.” For this reason, musical historians have been stumped in the quest for the true identity of the recording artist. Mike Seeger
, among other artists, have recorded "Johnson City Blues".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and recording artist, noted for his fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
work, and a pioneer in country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
of the 1920s.
Biography
Greene was born in Cranberry Gap, North CarolinaNorth Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. A naturally gifted musician, in his teens he played fiddle in the Greene Brothers String Band, which also featured his brother Baxter Greene on fiddle. Greene played with numerous musical ensembles in the mountains of Western North Carolina and Northeastern Tennessee, and once beat Jimmie Rodgers
Jimmie Rodgers (country singer)
James Charles Rodgers , known as Jimmie Rodgers, was an American country singer in the early 20th century known most widely for his rhythmic yodeling...
in a guitar-picking contest. According to Greene's fellow musician and musical contemporary, Walter Davis
Walter Davis
-Sports:* Walter Davis an Australian rugby union player* Walter Davis , Millwall F.C. and Wales international footballer* Walt Davis , American basketball player and high-jumper...
, both Greene and Davis advanced their prowess on guitar by observing itinerant country blues artist Blind Lemon Jefferson
Blind Lemon Jefferson
"Blind" Lemon Jefferson was an American blues singer and guitarist from Texas. He was one of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s, and has been titled "Father of the Texas Blues"....
, who played on the streets of Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City is a city in Carter, Sullivan, and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, with most of the city being in Washington County...
, during the early 1920s.
From 1927 through 1931, Greene recorded 28 songs released by 11 different record companies. He participated in the 1928 and 1929 Columbia Records’ field studio sessions in Johnson City conducted by Columbia producer Frank Walker and the 1928 Victor sessions hosted by Ralph Peer in Bristol, Tennessee. From the 1928 Columbia sessions emerged a regional hit song, "Johnson City Blues," in which Greene adapted Ida Cox
Ida Cox
Ida Cox was an African American singer and vaudeville performer, best known for her blues performances and recordings...
's tune "Chattanooga Blues" to fit Johnson City. In that era, prior to copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
ing of songs, there was a “public domain” attitude toward songwriting with the artist’s style of the song being considered the original feature and not the lyrics. Greene was also present at the 1927 recording session in Atlanta when The Allen Brothers
The Allen Brothers
The Allen Brothers were an American country music duo popular in the 1920s and 1930s...
recorded "Chattanooga Blues". Greene's interpretation is closer in vocal style and tempo to the Ida Cox version with the exception that he replaces piano accompaniment with guitar.
In 1929, Greene recorded again for Frank Walker in Johnson City with a group called Byrd Moore’s Hot Shots. This trio featured Byrd Moore (guitar, baritone vocal), Clarence "Tom" Ashley (guitar, lead vocal), and Clarence Greene (fiddle, tenor vocal). The mountain ballad, "Frankie Silvers", is the best known tune recorded by the Hot Shots in 1929. Tom Ashley's recording, "Coo Coo Bird", was also recorded at this session at which Greene did no solo recordings.
In 1931, Greene recorded in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
for the American Record Company with a group called the Blue Ridge Mountain Entertainers. This group included Greene (fiddle, vocals), Tom Ashley (guitar, vocals), Gwin Foster (guitar, harmonica), Walter Davis (guitar), and Will Abernathy (autoharp, harmonica). These sessions produced fifteen songs eventually released on seven other record labels than American: Conqueror, Romeo, Oriole, Banner, Vocalion, Perfect, and Melotone.
While working in a variety of occupations from construction to mica mining, Greene continued to play music at square dances and local functions until the end of his life. He died on October 22, 1961, and is buried at Bear Creek Cemetery in Ledger, North Carolina.
Greene was a talented musician and contemporary of Jimmie Rodgers, Blind Lemon Jefferson, the Allen Brothers and a host of America's first recording stars. Unfortunately for Greene there was not only a casual attitude toward musical lyrics then, as his last name was misspelled by Columbia on his recordings (a mistake perpetuated today on old-time music anthologies). Columbia released "Johnson City Blues" as performed by Clarence Green rather than the correct spelling of Greene, with the final “e.” For this reason, musical historians have been stumped in the quest for the true identity of the recording artist. Mike Seeger
Mike Seeger
Mike Seeger was an American folk musician and folklorist. He was a distinctive singer and an accomplished musician who played autoharp, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, guitar, mouth harp, mandolin, dobro, jaw harp, and pan pipes. Seeger, a half-brother of Pete Seeger, produced more than 30 documentary...
, among other artists, have recorded "Johnson City Blues".
General
- "Fiddlin' Charlie Bowman," by Bob L. Cox, University of Tennessee Press, 2007.
- "Remembering Johnson City," by Bob L. Cox, History Press, 2008.
- "Anthology of American Folk Music," edited by Josh Dunson and Ethel Raim, 1973.
- "Walter Davis: Fist and Skull Banjo," by Wayne Erbsen, Bluegrass Unlimited: March 1981, 22-26.
- "The Rest of the Story: Commercial Recordings in the Tri-Cities, 1928-29," by Charles Wolfe, Unpublished Manuscript.