"Uncle Bunt" Stephens

Overview
Uncle Bunt Stephens was a world Champion Fiddler who won many fiddle contests. He made some appearances on The Grand Ole Opry and recorded several sides for Columbia in the 1920's

Biography
John L. "Uncle Bunt" Stephens was born in 1879 in Bedford, TN. He was orphaned at an early age and raised in Flatcreek. He was a construction worker for most of his life. In 1926 he decided to enter a fiddle contest that was being sponsored Henry Ford (he was a fan of Old-Time Music). He won every level of the competition he got to the finals in Detroit as a representative of the south. The judges were most impressed with "Cacklin' Hen" and "Sail Away Lady" He won first prize which included $1,000 a new Lincoln car, and a new set of clothes. Stephens said that he'd rather have the money and no car so he could buy a Model T instead. He died in 1951.

Albums Featured

 * The Anthology Of American Folk Music
 * Nashville: The Early String Bands
 * The Wonderful World Of Old-Time Fiddles
 * Raw Fiddle

Original Discography

 * Candy Girl
 * Left In The Dark Blues
 * Louisburg Blues
 * Sail Away Lady

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