“Carroll County Blues” by the Matt Flinner Trio

This is one of our favorite older tunes to play. It is generally credited to Willie Narmour, and is named after his home county of Carroll County, Mississippi. If you want to go back and listen to his original 1929 recording, click here. Ross got this tune from a Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley recording, and I learned it from a Mike Compton recording with the Nashville Bluegrass Band. There are many versions out there, from Gid Tanner to Fiddlin’ Doc Roberts to Larry Sparks to Chet Atkins, and they all vary quite a bit in form. As is the case with many older tunes, it has evolved somewhat since its original version.

This was recorded at one of our favorite venues, Village Concerts in Palmyra, VA, on Nov 7, 2010. Polly King’s place is a warm, intimate and welcoming setting that always makes us and the audience feel good. Thanks Polly!