Biography

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Toni Swann-Pardigno
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+1 323 663 8073

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Joe Maphis was dubbed the "King of Strings" since he knew how to handle a variety of instruments, and even played a double necked guitar with speed and accuracy. Later, Joe and his wife, Rose Lee Maphis, would earn the title of "Mr. and Mrs. Country Music". Joe was the first known player to flat-pick fiddle tunes at a time when chord accompany was standard for a guitar player. Joe’s talents would bring him to radio stations, television, and even film scores throughout his career.

The second release of our remastered classics, “The Joe Maphis Flat-Picking Spectactular” features the king of stings himself. This first time digital release features Joe on guitar, fiddle, and 4-string banjo along with special guests Merle Travis, Aurthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith, Zen Cook, and Johnny Gimble. These legendary artists tackle a number of folk, bluegrass, and fiddle tunes with the speed and accuracy you can expect from decades of hard work. The tracks "Memories of Maybelle" and "Carter Coutnry" are nods to Joe’s hero, Mother Maybelle Carter. The long track list even includes extended renditions of "Irish Washerwoman" and "Sailor’s Hornpipe" and many will recognize the tune of "Cripple Creek," "Dueling Banjos" and "Riders in the Sky.” These energetic and eclectic songs have been remastered from our archive and are available for streaming on all digital platforms.

Tracks List and Credits - Part 1

See Flat-Picking Spectacular Pt 2 for more tracks!

1. Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar
Joe Maphis – Guitar, Fiddle, 4-String Banjo, Vocals
Zen Crook – Fiddle, 5-String Banjo, Vocals
Rose Lee – Vocals
Ray Edenton – Rhythm Guitar
Billy Liebert – Piano
Billy Linneman – Bass
D. J. Fontana – Drums

2. Cripple Creek
Joe Maphis – Guitar
Zen Crook – 5-String Banjo, Piano,
Mark Jones – 5-String Banjo
Jackson D. Kane – Bass
Andy Poling – Drums

3. South
Joe Maphis – Guitar
Arthur Smith – Guitar, banjo
David Floyd – Bass
David Brakefield – Drums
Clay Smith – Guitar
Don Ange - Piano

4. Lonesome Road Blues
Joe Maphis – Guitar
Merle Travis – Guitar
Mike Auldridge – Dobro
Billy Linneman – Bass
Paul Charron – Drums

5. Zendel’s Breakdown
Joe Maphis – Guitar
Zen Crook – Banjo
Ray Edenton – Guitar
Billy Liebert – Piano
D.J. Fontana – Drums
Billy Linneman - Bass

6. Town Hall Rag
Joe Maphis – Guitar
Johnny Gimble – Fiddle
Hargus “Pig” Robbins – Piano
Fred Carter – Dobro
Harold Bradley – Guitar
Billy Linneman – Bass
Buddy Harmon – Drums
Bobby Thompson – Banjo

7. Whistling Rufus
Joe Maphis – Guitar
Arthur Smith – Guitar
Clay Smith – Guitar
David Floyd – Bass
David Brakefield - Drums

8. Memories of Maybelle
Joe Maphis – Guitar
Zen Crook – Dobro
Mark Jones – Banjo
Marsha Jones – Autoharp

9. El Rancho Grande
Joe Maphis – Guitar
Merle Travis – Guitar
Zen Crook – Banjo
Billy Linneman – Bass
Paul Charron – Drums

10. Rocky Mountain Reel
Joe Maphis – Guitar
Zen Crook – Banjo
Andy Poling – Drums
Jackson D. Kane – Bass

11. Silver Threads Among the Gold
Joe Maphis – Guitar
Arthur Smith – Mandolin

12. Grandma’s Favorites
Joe Maphis – Guitar
Merle Travis – Guitar
Billy Linneman – Bass
Paul Charron – Drums
Zen Crook - Piano

13. Charlotte Breakdown

14. Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Joe Maphis – Guitar
Zen Crook – Banjo, Piano
Andy Poling – Drums
Jackson D. Kane – Bass

15. Lara’s Theme (From Doctor Zhivago)
Joe Maphis – Guitar
Merle Travis – Guitar
Zen Crook – Piano
Mike Auldridge – Dobro
Billy Linneman – Bass
Paul Charron - Drums