Sidney J. Harkreader

Sidney Johnson "Fiddlin' Sid" Harkreader (February 26, 1898 — March 19, 1988) was an American Old-time fiddle player and string band leader. He was an early member of the Grand Ole Opry, at first accompanying banjoist Uncle Dave Macon and later performing on the program with his own band. In the 1940s, Harkreader formed and briefly toured with the Western band "The Round-Up Gang" before returning again to the Opry.

Harkreader was born in Gladeville, Tennessee, a small town in the cedar glades region east of Nashville. His father encouraged him to develop musical abilities, and Harkreader learned to play fiddle at local square dances. Determined to become a professional entertainer, Harkreader first toured as a fiddler for the Loew vaudeville circuit. Around 1923, he paired with Uncle Dave Macon to play old-time music in Nashville, and the following year, the two recorded several sides for Vocalion Records. On November 6, 1925, Harkreader and Macon delivered a performance before a sold-out crowd at the Ryman Auditorium, and the two began performing for the Grand Ole Opry (at the time called WSM's Barn Dance) a few weeks later. Harkreader's typical repertoire included "Old Joe" (which he learned from fellow Opry pioneer Humphrey Bate), "Turkey in the Straw," "Sugar Walks Down the Street," "Ain't Goin' to Rain No More," and "Go Away Mule."

Harkreader recorded two dozen tracks for Paramount Records, the first set coming in 1927 accompanied by Hawaiian slide-guitarist Grady Moore, and the second coming the following year accompanied by guitarist Blythe Poteet. In 1935, Harkreader returned to the Opry at the head of a string band, "Sid Harkreader and Company." The band consisted of Harkreader on fiddle and vocals, Emory Martin on mandolin, and Mack McGar on banjo. Around 1940, Harkeader formed "The Round-Up Gang" to record Western music, which had grown steadily in popularity in the previous decade. Harkreader eventually returned to the Opry, however, making guest appearances throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

Harkreader is buried at Caraway Cemetery in Gladeville.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 26, 1898 (Gladeville), Died March 19, 1988

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1924 - 1929

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, guitar, violin

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-36 of 36 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick 697W-698W 10-in. 4/14/1925 Southern whistling coon Sidney J. Harkreader Male vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Brunswick 703W-704W 10-in. 4/15/1925 Arkansas travelers Sidney J. Harkreader ; Uncle Dave Macon Banjo and guitar duet instrumentalist, guitar  
Brunswick 705W-706W 10-in. 4/15/1925 The girl I left behind me Sidney J. Harkreader ; Uncle Dave Macon Male vocal duet, with violin and guitar instrumentalist, violin, vocalist  
Brunswick 709W-710W 10-in. 4/15/1925 Old ship of Zion Sidney J. Harkreader ; Uncle Dave Macon Male vocal duet, with banjo vocalist  
Brunswick 711W-712W 10-in. 4/15/1925 Down in Arkansaw Sidney J. Harkreader ; Uncle Dave Macon Male vocal duet, with banjo vocalist  
Brunswick 715W-716W 10-in. 4/15/1925 Blue Ridge Mountain blues Sidney J. Harkreader Male vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Brunswick 717W-718W 10-in. 4/15/1925 Little sweetheart Sidney J. Harkreader Male vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, instrumentalist, guitar  
Vocalion 13353-13354 10-in. June 1924 Little old log cabin in the lane Sidney J. Harkreader ; Uncle Dave Macon Male vocal duet vocalist  
Vocalion 13358-13359 10-in. June 1924 Jonah and the whale Sidney J. Harkreader ; Uncle Dave Macon Male vocal duet vocalist  
Vocalion 13362-13363 10-in. June 1924 Love somebody Sidney J. Harkreader ; Uncle Dave Macon Male vocal duet vocalist  
Vocalion 13364-13365 10-in. June 1924 Soldier’s joy Sidney J. Harkreader ; Uncle Dave Macon Male vocal duet vocalist  
(Results 26-36 of 36 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Harkreader, Sidney J.," accessed November 25, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/111394.

Harkreader, Sidney J.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/111394.

"Harkreader, Sidney J.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/111394

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