Biography

Fruit Jar Guzzlers is one of the most mysterious old-time groups to ever record. In 1928, another old-time musician Cleve Chaffin

Cleve Chaffin

Cleve Chafin was a carnival musician who recorded old-time music during the 1920s.-Biography:Chafin was from Wayne County, West Virginia, the son of Alice Adkins and Bob Chafin. He first recorded a solo session in Richmond, Indiana for Gennett Records on November 16, 1927, but the recordings were...

 from Wayne County, West Virginia

Wayne County, West Virginia

As of the census of 2000, there were 42,903 people, 17,239 households, and 12,653 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile . There were 19,107 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...

 had supposedly recorded a session with two men named Stevens and Bolar for Paramount Records

Paramount Records

Paramount Records was an American record label, best known for its recordings of African-American jazz and blues in the 1920s and early 1930s, including such artists as Ma Rainey and Blind Lemon Jefferson.-Early years:...

 as Fruit Jar Guzzlers. The names Stevens and Bolar appear as the writers for most of these recordings. The group recorded many sides for Paramount in 1928. Chaffin is said to have played on all the recordings the group made. Other records by the Fruit Jar Guzzlers were released on Paramount's subsidiary label, Broadway Records

Broadway Records

Broadway Records was a United States-based record label of the 1920s and 1930s.Broadway Records were first manufactured about 1921 by the Bridgeport Die and Machine Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Most of the early issues were from masters recorded by Paramount Records...

, some were released as by the Panhandle Boys. It could be possible that the Fruit Jar Guzzlers may also come from Wayne County, West Virginia

Wayne County, West Virginia

As of the census of 2000, there were 42,903 people, 17,239 households, and 12,653 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile . There were 19,107 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...

, where Chaffin was from.

Recordings

• Stack-O-Lee/Steel Driving Man (John Henry) (Paramount #3121) (1928)
• Steel Driving Man (John Henry) (Broadway #8199) (1928)
• Wild Horse (1928)
• The Black Sheep Of The Family (1928)
• Yes I’m Free At Last (1928)
• Old Joe Clark (1928)
• Cripple Creek (1928)
• Cool Penitentiary (1928)
• Sourwood Mountain (1928)
• Pity The Tramp (1928)
• Fox In The Mountains (1928)
• C & O Whistle (1928)
• Cacklin’ Hen (1928)
• Kentucky Bootlegger (1928)

Various artists compilations

• My Rough And Rowdy Ways Volume One (Yazoo #2039) (1998)
• Old Time Music Of West Virginia Volume One (County #CD-3518) (1999)
• Old Time Music Of West Virginia Volume Two (County #CD-3519) (1999)
• Old Country Gospel (Vintage78 #C-11) (cassette)
• Paramount Old Time Recordings (JSP) (3-CD set) (2006)