Old Texas Fiddle

In The Old Texas Fiddle, Howard Rains and his musical friends capture the old sounds that echoed across Texas in an earlier time. Years of careful study have yielded an authentic regeneration of the tunes and styles that emerged in the days before the modern era of Texas fiddling. In the hands of a dedicated and expert collection of musicians, these old tunes leap to life and compel us to listen. Howard Rains lifts the curtain of time and transports us back into the deep roots of Texas music. -Marynell Young 'In an age where a fiddler has easy access to every tradition of playing under the sun, Howard is doing what I consider the most meaningful thing-delving deeply into the musical tradition of the place where he lives. He is assimilating the beautiful, complex style and repertoire of old time Texas music, and is doing it with authority, integrity, and a true feel for it's timeless quality.' -Bruce Greene, Old Time Fiddler, Yancey County, NC 'Texas fiddle music is as diverse in it's styles as is the nationalities of it's people. From cowboy fiddlers to the Mexican conjunto influenced styles south along the Rio Grande to the Cajun and Louisiana influences in the East Texas Piney Woods, Mr. Rains is preserving this rich musical heritage for all to enjoy now and in generations to come.' -Ted Branson Under the X in Texas, KOOP Radio, Austin, TX Howard Rains is a traditional old time fiddler who studies early Texas fiddle tunes learned from family, friends and rare, old recordings. The music Howard plays is from a lost era of Texas fiddling that took place before the advent of Texas swing and the contest style of fiddling. Howard keeps these old tunes alive by staying true to the sources while at the same time, playing them in his own style.