Reared a stone’s throw over the ridge from the Music Center in the tiny Round Peak community of Surry County, North Carolina, Tommy Jarrell (1901-1985) left an indelible imprint upon the music of his nation.  It would be reasonable to say that Tommy is the most beloved of all American fiddlers among other fiddlers and string band musicians.

There are two reasons for this.  First, he was a brilliant player ho kept and embellished an ancient style.  Other players, whatever their style or level of accomplishment, tended to be stunned and fascinated by Tommy’s playing.  Second, Tommy was openhearted and generous, eager to make new friends, keep old ones, and share whatever he had, especially music.

A keeper of a powerful style developed among Round Peak players, Tommy was a motor grader operator for the county, smoothing the gravel roads of Surry County.  He was a professional moonshiner during his young adult years, and retained a fondness for a dram.  It was only after his retirement that he was recorded, and became a hero to musicians.  Musicologist and collector Richard Nevins put his music on the tiny but very influential County Records label, and younger fiddlers from far and near flocked to his home in Toast, near Mt. Airy, NC.

All were warmly welcomed, fed weenies and boiled corn, allowed to spread their bedrolls on Tommy’s floor, told of older players, and taught tunes. Tommy’s house bubbled with music and friendship.  The younger players revered him, and a few months before his passing, Tommy paid tribute to them.  “A lot of people my age talk about being lonesome, but these young people, they’ve never let me have a lonesome day, and I appreciate it.”

The house had no telephone, and though Tommy had operated a huge motor grader, he did not drive cars and never owned one. He had moved to town, but he brought a Round Peak community lifestyle with him.

Among visions his friends retain is one of Tommy standing on the lip of the huge stage at Wolf Trap, fiddle and bow clutched in his outstretched arms, speaking to 10,000 cheering fans at the National Folk Festival who had just given him his third encore.

“Children, I wish to God I could take you home with me.”