The Legendary J.E. Mainer Vol. 3 is a 1968 Rural Rhythm Records album (RRJE-198) featuring North Carolina fiddler Joseph Emmett Mainer (1898–1971) alongside Red Smiley — Arthur Lee Smiley of the legendary Reno & Smiley partnership — and the Bluegrass Cutups. Mainer had led Mainer's Mountaineers since the 1930s and was a foundational figure bridging old-time string-band music and early bluegrass; his Rural Rhythm recordings of the late 1960s captured him still playing with undiminished force. The session features Billy Edwards on banjo, Tater Tate on fiddle, Gene Burris on mandolin and guitar, and John Palmer on bass. Drawing on old-time standards including "Arkansas Traveler" and "Shady Grove," the album preserves performance styles reaching back to the earliest decades of Appalachian commercial recording.
Tracklist
- 1 Seven And A Half 2:08
- 2 Devilish Mary 2:04
- 3 Hannah 1:57
- 4 Baby Buntin' 2:23
- 5 Ride Old Buck To Water 2:21
- 6 Casey Jones alt version 2:13
- 7 Arkansas Traveler alt version 3:04
- 8 Change In Business All Around 1:51
- 9 Polly Put the Kettle On alt version 2:47
- 10 Shady Grove alt version 2:59
- 11 Old Blind Horse 2:13
- 12 Papa's Billy Goat 2:28
- 13 Burglar Man 2:04
- 14 Don't Tax The Gals 1:57
- 15 Eleven Cents Cotton 1:34
- 16 Home Sweet Home alt version 3:30
- 17 Shortenin' Bread 1:58
- 18 Johnny Get Your Gun 2:07
- 19 I Had An Old Grey Mare 1:10
- 20 Alabama Camp Meeting 3:11
