Herman Johnson Master Fiddler: 39 Solos by America's Legendary Fiddler

Transcribed and edited by one of Herman Johnson's former students, this book offers 39 solos in the inimitable smooth, precise, and innovative Johnson style. Inspired in his youth by Bob Wills of the Texas Playboys, Johnson learned tunes by listening to records and the radio. At 16, he successfully auditioned to play in Willis' band, but was then too young to join the musicians union. Johnson went on to a distinguished career as a performer and contest fiddler, winning the National Fiddling Championship in Weiser, Idaho five times, the only player to reign undefeated each year he entered the contest. He also won the Oklahoma State Championship in Nashville. Many of the intermediate to advanced-level selections in this collection were drawn from Johnson's 1993 recording, Simply Perfect.

Jeanine R. Orme was born in Ogden, Utah. Her musical training includes classical piano and violin and she has specialized in oldtime fiddling, Texas-style fiddling, bluegrass fiddle, and Western swing. She began competing in fiddle contests at the age of eleven. As a teenager she began studying Texas-style and Western swing fiddling with Herman Johnson, five time National Fiddle Champion in Shawnee, Oklahoma. She has transcribed hundreds of fiddle tunes from the playing of Herman Johnson and other fiddlers. Along with raising three children Jeanine has been teaching fiddle lessons for over twenty-five years and enjoys teaching fiddle workshops, fiddle camps and group classes. She has performed as a solo artist, and as a member of various groups in Utah and Oregon. She is a past Utah State Champion, three time Oregon State Young Adult Division Champion and three time Adult Division Champion. She has also served as a judge at the Weiser National Oldtime Fiddle Contest and other regional fiddle contests. Jeanine s other musical interests include arranging folk songs and fiddle tunes for small ensembles and youth orchestras, studying music theory, improvisation, Be-bop jazz, Django gypsy jazz, Blues, Irish and Scottish fiddle styles. She currently resides in the Portland, Oregon area with her family.