The Lost Herman Johnson Tapes
Herman Johnson is the only 5-time, undefeated, National Fiddling Champion. Now, exclusively through myTalentForge.com, learn Herman's favorite fiddle contest tunes with Herman himself.
Recorded in 1993 by Aaron Lowe, a great fiddler in his own right, guitar accompanist, and contributing member of the Fiddle Contest community, The Lost Herman Johnson Tapes feature Herman Johnson performing 33 fiddle tunes, accompanied by Aaron.
This book contains transcriptions of each these 33 tunes, and audio download of each of these tunes. Additionally, all of the original videos are available for purchase on MytalentForge.com
About Herman Johnson:
Herman Johnson became attracted to fiddle contests while still quite young, participating in his first one at the age of twelve. Herman is definitely one of the greatest Contest Fiddlers of all time. To quote another legendary competitor, "when Herman showed up you knew you were playing for second place". Some of Herman's compositions, including the popular "Herman's Rag", are commonly played in contests across the country.
Around 1960, Herman started traveling often to contests in Oklahoma and Texas with guitarist and dear friend Ralph McGraw. In 1968, Herman and Ralph took their first trip to Weiser, Idaho to compete in the National Championship there. There were over 300 other fiddle players. Herman won the championship that year at the age of 48. He went on to win another four times and still holds the record as the only person to be undefeated in the event. Herman was known for his calm demeanor and flawless delivery.
Herman Johnson has also won the Oklahoma State Championship five times, the Grand Master Fiddler Championship in Nashville, Tennessee and the World Championship in Crocket, Texas. Some of the fiddlers Herman competed against included Benny Thomasson, Shorty Chancellor, Louis Franklin, Sleepy Johnson, and Major Franklin.
But Herman was known by his fellow contestants as more than just a great fiddle player, he is also known for being a gracious competitor, a sharp dresser, a generous mentor, and always willing to stop and help a young aspiring fiddle player learn a new lick or two.
Many great fiddle players today will tell you that Herman was one of the strongest influences in their playing and many even learned to play or fine tuned their fiddle playing skills by listening to Herman's albums.
Herman Johnson was inducted into the National Fiddler Hall of Fame in 2012.