Charles "Buck" Ryan
Musician · Mt. Jackson, Virginia
Best known for
Fiddle
Charles "Buck" Ryan was a Virginia-born fiddler — a four-time World Champion Fiddler discovered by Jimmy Dean in 1956 and a long-time member of Bill Harrell's Virginians and Don Reno, Bill Harrell & the Tennessee Cut-Ups, where he played for roughly twelve years.
- Born Arnold Walter "Buck" Ryan on May 9, 1925; raised in Mt. Jackson, Virginia (later Fairfax, Virginia).
- Four-time World Champion Fiddler (Warrenton, VA 1952 & 1962; Berryville, VA 1965 & 1968).
- Discovered by Jimmy Dean in 1956 and joined Dean's band, The Texas Wildcats.
- Joined Bill Harrell's Virginians in the early 1960s.
- Joined Don Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups in 1968, staying about 12 years.
- Performed at the first bluegrass concert with the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center.
- Performed at President Nixon's inaugural ball and before the United Nations.
- Played entirely by ear; known for energetic "trick fiddling" using unconventional objects. Retired in 1981 due to declining health; died age 56 on January 7, 1982.
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Don RenoPlayed on recordings with Don Reno
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Don Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-UpsPlayed on recordings with Don Reno, Bill Harrell and the Tennessee Cut-Ups
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Don Reno, Red Smiley, Bill Harrell and The Tennessee Cut-UpsPlayed on recordings with Don Reno, Red Smiley, Bill Harrell and The Tennessee Cut-Ups
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Bill Harrell and the VirginiansPlayed on recording with Bill Harrell and the Virginians
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Don Reno, Red Smiley and the Tennessee CutupsPlayed on recording with Don Reno, Red Smiley and the Tennessee Cutups