FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2007

For More Information: Annette Barnette
Public Relations & Marketing Director
Glenville State College
(304) 462-4115

In 1978, Buddy Griffin recorded the song, “Billy In The Lowground,” with Red Allen and the Kentuckians for around fifty dollars. Little did he know, this recording would be placed on a CD produced by the Smithsonian Institute twenty-nine years later. The CD, Classic Old-Time Fiddle from Smithsonian Folkways, is a compilation of original recordings from as early as the 1920’s with Clark Kessinger.

Kessinger, a West Virginia native, was the first old-time musician to appear on WSM radio in Nashville and helped lead to the creation of the Grand Ole Opry. Old-time fiddler Jake Krack and Folkways archivist Jeff Place compiled and annotated this collection from Smithsonian archives.

“I was surprised. I didn’t know – it just popped up,” Griffin said. “I am glad they released the recording. It was a nice thing to have happen.” Griffin says he never classified himself as an old-time fiddle player; he has always been bluegrass. Griffin is from Sutton and was the featured fiddler in the WWVA Jamboree USA in Wheeling in 1973, 1978, and 1979. He is frequently asked to play the fiddle at the Grand Ole Opry with Jesse McReynolds, the surviving member of the world famous Grammy winning Bluegrass duo Jim & Jesse. McReynolds has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1964. Griffin currently teaches strings at Glenville State College, is the GSC Bluegrass program director, is a member of the GSC Bluegrass Band, and is the GSC Cultural Events Director.

For more information regarding the CD, visit www.smithsonianglobalsound.org. To contact Griffin, please call (304) 462-7361 ext 7342.