3-11-2004 - by John Hotze One of my personal reel to reel tapes was captured directly to PC Hard disk from an Otari MX5050. A small amount of clipping that is on the master tape is heard in parts but do to the value of hearing what John sounded like at the young age of 19 is well worth it. I want to thank Keith Kreider for the valuable advice he gave to me on this project along with encouragement from many other GoodleDays Forum members. The first group of files here are recordings of John practicing the fiddle. This was probably done at his house. File notation: mrr-fp-1956-d1txx Performers: John Harford - Fiddle Song List: mrr-fp-1956-d1t01 ? mrr-fp-1956-d1t02 ? mrr-fp-1956-d1t03 Sally Goodin ? mrr-fp-1956-d1t04 ? mrr-fp-1956-d1t05 ? mrr-fp-1956-d1t06 Done Gone mrr-fp-1956-d1t07 ? mrr-fp-1956-d1t08 ? mrr-fp-1956-d1t09 ? mrr-fp-1956-d1t10 ? mrr-fp-1956-d1t11 ? The second group of files are a practice session recorded at either John's or my house. I can't say for sure. File notation: mrr-pr-1956-d1txx Performers: Paul Briedenbach - Lead Guitar & vocal John Harford - Banjo & harmony Song List: mrr-pr-1956-d1t01 Bile Them Cabbage Down mrr-pr-1956-d1t02 I'm In Despair mrr-pr-1956-d1t03 John Henry mrr-pr-1956-d1t04 My Little Georgia Rose mrr-pr-1956-d1t05 When The Golden Leaves Begin To Fall mrr-pr-1956-d1t06 Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms mrr-pr-1956-d1t07 Blue Grass Stomp mrr-pr-1956-d1t08 Banjo Tune ? mrr-pr-1956-d1t09 Banjo Tune ? This third group of files is about a four minute segment of a reel to reel taping done at John Hartfords home in University City, Missouri. I don't have the specific date but it was sometime in 1956. The recording was done in mono on a reel to reel tape recorder. As far as I know from my friendship with John at the time, the Missouri Ridge Runners was John's first group in which he performed more or less professionally for a radio station. I'm afraid the Jeff Mankin will have to correct the introductory writeup the GoodleDays forum to state "from his Missouri Ridge Runners era" rather than the "Ozark Mountain Trio" which came a couple years later. He did do some music performing earlier with his cousins but not on the radio.The people that made up the Missouri Ridge Runners varied some over time. As far as I know, Paul Breidenbach performed the most with John during this period. I spent a bit of time with John accompanying him with my guitar while he practiced the fiddle or banjo. I'm sure Paul did as well. File notation: mrr-rs-1956-d1txx Performers: Paul Breidenbach - Lead Guitar & Dobro John Hotze - Second Guitar David Zeff - Bass John Harford - Banjo & Vocal Song list: mrr-rs-1956-d1t01 Bells of St.Mary's mrr-rs-1956-d1t02 Will You Be Lonesome Too mrr-rs-1956-d1t03 Outro & Theme song