Bill Cheatum (1)

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Theme code Index	5L133 3123
Also known as	Bill Cheatem, Bill Cheatham, Cheatum, Cheat 'Em
Composer/Core Source
Region	United States
Genre/Style	Old-Time
Meter/Rhythm	Reel (single/double)
Key/Tonic of	A
Accidental	3 sharps
Mode	Ionian (Major)
Time signature	4/4
History
Structure	AA'BB
Editor/Compiler	Biography:R.P. Christeson
Book/Manuscript title	Book:Old Time Fiddler's Repertory vol. 1
Tune and/or Page number	No. 34, p. 24
Year of publication/Date of MS	1973
Artist	Biography:Blind Joe Mangrum
Title of recording	Nashville: the Early String Bands vol. 2
Record label/Catalogue nr.	County 542
Year recorded	1928
Media
Score ()

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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 in print: 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].

Printed sources: Beisswenger & McCann (Ozark Fiddle Music), 2008; p. 171. Brody (Fiddler's Fakebook), 1983: p. 41. R.P. Christeson (Old Time Fiddlers Repertory, vol. 1), 1973; No. 34, p. 24. Kaufman (Beginning Old Time Fiddle), 1977; p. 61. Krassen (Appalachian Fiddle), 1973; p. 68. Lowinger (Bluegrass Fiddle), 1974; p. 16. Phillips (Fiddlecase Tunebook), 1989; pg. 5. Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes), 1994; p. 24. Reiner (Anthology of Fiddle Styles), 1977; p. 31. Silberberg (93 Fiddle Tunes I Didn't Learn at Tractor Tavern), 2004; p. 5. Thede (The Fiddle Book), 1967; p. 103 (appears as "Bill Cheatem").

Recorded sources: 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." See also listing at: Jane Keefer's Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources []

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