Scotty Stoneman
Musician · Galax, Virginia
Best known for
Fiddle
Scotty Stoneman was a Virginia-born fiddler called "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin" by Peter Rowan and "the bluegrass Charlie Parker" by Jerry Garcia — a five-time National Fiddle Champion whose Stoneman Family beginnings and 1964 Kentucky Colonels seat inspired a generation of West Coast bluegrass and country-rock players.
- Born Calvin Scott "Scotty" Stoneman on August 4, 1932 in Galax, Virginia; died March 4, 1973 in Nashville, Tennessee of alcohol poisoning.
- One of 23 children of Ernest "Pop" Stoneman and Hattie Frost Stoneman; learned fiddle from maternal grandfather Bill Frost.
- In 1947 the Stoneman Family won a Constitution Hall talent contest, leading to six weeks of local TV.
- In the mid-1950s formed the Blue Grass Champs with siblings Donna and Jimmy plus Porter Church; group won Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts (1956) and the National Country Music Championship (band category), with Scotty taking first place on fiddle.
- Five-time National Fiddle Champion by the mid-1960s.
- Joined the Kentucky Colonels in 1964 (Clarence White era), recorded the celebrated "Live in L.A." performances with the band.
- Praised by Peter Rowan as "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin" and by Jerry Garcia as "the bluegrass Charlie Parker."
- Served in the U.S. Air Force 1951–1955; struggled with alcoholism throughout his life.
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The Stoneman FamilyPlayed on recordings with The Stoneman Family
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The Kentucky ColonelsPlayed on recordings with The Kentucky Colonels
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Buzz Busby and the Bayou BoysPlayed on recording with Buzz Busby and the Bayou Boys