Remembering Old-Time Fiddler Joe Thompson

Mebane old-time fiddler and folk musician Joe Thompson died Monday, Feb. 20, in Burlington at age 93. Among the last African American fiddle players of his generation, he received a North Carolina Folk Heritage Award from the N.C. Arts Council in 1991 and a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts in 2007.

“Probably more than anyone else, Joe was the inspiration for a national revival of stringband music among young generations of African American musicians,” said Wayne Martin, folklife director of the N.C. Arts Council. “He will be sorely missed.” In recent years, Thompson mentored the Grammy Award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Born in 1918 and raised on a farm near the Alamance and Orange County line north of Mebane, Thompson grew up helping his family tend crops and watched his father, Walter Arch Thompson, play fiddle at square dances after the work was done. Thompson started playing with his dad at age seven. He performed for years with his cousin, Odell, a banjo player who also received a 1991 Folk Heritage Award.

For more about Thompson, visit http://www.ncarts.org/artist_page.cfm?ser=1255&num=755&.

This video captures Thompson playing with the Carolina Chocolate Drops in 2007:

2 Responses to “Remembering Old-Time Fiddler Joe Thompson”

1. Alfreda Evans says:

   February 24, 2012 at 3:52 pm

   Thank you for this article and video. I am saddened at the death of Mr. Joe. He has been a pillar in the community for many years–salt of the earth, good man. My father, a quiet man, sometimes shared his memories about growing up in rural Alamance/Orange County area with Mr. Joe when families would gather for “hoedowns” in what we call “olden times” and enjoy the Thompson’s music. The echo of the past continues in the veins and strings of The Chocolate Drops. For this, I am greatful.

   Reply
2. Alfreda Evans says:

   February 24, 2012 at 4:15 pm

   Thank you for this article and video. Mr. Joe has been a pillar in the community for many years–salt of the earth, good man. My father, a quiet man, sometimes shared his memories about growing up in rural Alamance/Orange County area with Mr. Joe when families would gather for “hoedowns” in what we call “olden times” and enjoy the Thompsons’ music. The echo of the past continues in the veins and strings of The Chocolate Drops. For this, I am grateful.

   Reply