RYMER'S FAVORITE. Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, Tenn. C Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AA'BB'. A 'crooked' or irregularly measured reel/breakdown that is reminiscent of (and perhaps related to) the better known "Billy in the Lowground." It was recorded in February, 1925, for Edison records by Robert biography:Allen Sisson (1873-1951) who lived on the Tennessee/north Georgia border, and has been described variously as a resident of both. He was born in Fannin County, north Georgia, but worked for many years as a railroad section hand foreman for the Ducktown Chemical and Iron Company, of Copperhill, Tennessee. Sisson was also the Tennessee State Fiddle Champion in 1921, and was advertised as such by Victor Records. Allen Sisson
In an article by Ethelene Dyer Jones entitled "Fiddling George Barnes, Last of the Copper Haulers" [1] a book by Roy G. Lillard, called Polk County, Tennessee, 1839-1999 is cited which lists the names of the men employed as copper haulers. Two of those named were James Rymer and Rev. W.H. Rymer. While it is not known whether or not these men were connected with Sisson's title, it does document that there was a family named Rymer who also worked transporting material from the mines in the same region that Sisson did.
Additional notes
Source for notated version: - Allen Sisson (Tenn.) [Phillips].
Printed sources : - Phillips (Traditional American Fiddle Tunes, vol. 1), 1994; p. 206
Recorded sources: - Edison 10230/Edison 51522 (78 RPM), Allen Sisson (1925). New World Records NW 226, Allen Sisson - "That's My Rabbit, My Dog Caught It: Southern Traditional Styles" (1978. Various artists). Recorded Anthology of American Music, Alan Sisson - "Traditional Southern Instrumental Styles" (1978. Various artists).
See also listing at:
Hear Sisson's recording on youtube.com [2]
