The original members were Gid Tanner, Riley Puckett, Clayton McMichen and Fate Norris. The members had been performing in various combinations around Atlanta before 1924, but it was in that year that Tanner (a fiddle-playing chicken farmer) and the blind guitarist Puckett recorded to become Columbia Records' first hillbilly talent.
In 1926 with McMichen and Norris, they recorded for the first time as Gid Tanner And The Skillet Lickers. Over the years there were line-up variations and other important members included Lowe Stokes, Bert Layne (both outstanding fiddlers), Hoke Rice (guitar), Gid's brother Arthur (banjo, guitar) and teenage son Gordon (fiddle). By 1931, in some combination or other, they had cut 88 sides for Columbia - all but six being released. Their material included fiddle tunes, traditional ballads and pop songs, plus little comedy skits such as their noted "A Corn Licker Still In Georgia". In 1934, Gid Tanner And The Skillet Lickers were credited with a million-selling record for their recording of "Down Yonder". Quite possibly the greatest stringband of all time.
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
The Skillet Lickers dear: It's an immense pleasure to be here writing these words in honor to you, "the greatest stringband of all times" and to learn you were a hit two decades before I was born. Congratulations to whoever running this site so as to keep your so beautiful country music alive. Please accept all tenderness and admiration from your Brazilian fan,
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
