Kenny Hall (1923-2013) was an amazing mandolin player and an exciting fiddler who was born blind in San Jose, California. For over 50 years he was a major force in the California old-time music tradition. Kenny is also recognized as being important to the entire Western fiddle and string band revival that started in the 1960’s. He acquired a phenomenal repertoire of traditional folk songs and string band music by listening to the radio, collecting 78-rpm records, and playing with other fiddlers and musicians from Missouri, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Texas. Eventually, Kenny learned tunes and songs from every part of the United States as well as from other countries including Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Portugal, Brazil, Ireland, and many parts of Europe. Kenny’s energetic musical style could lift a room and inspire musicians while spreading cheerfulness to players and listeners alike. The notes from his mandolin would sparkle, and the art of his fiddling was compelling. He was eager to teach and share his music with others, always encouraging those around him. He continued to play regularly in Fresno, California, where the hot weather suited him, until his passing in 2013.
Five professional recordings of Kenny’s music were commercially produced. At least another six collections were made with friends from the Bay Area and the San Joaquin Valley in California. There are surely countless recordings of his concerts, workshops, jam sessions, and lessons in the possession of his friends and fans.
Harry Liedstrand
Lafayette, CA
April, 2017
Title Sort descending | Media Source | Track Order |
---|---|---|
All Around The Water Tank | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.17 |
All Night Long | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.18 |
All Night Long | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.12 |
Angeline The Baker | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.01 |
Apricot Stealer’s Waltz | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.02 |
Baroushka | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.60 |
Beautiful Ohio Waltz | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.10 |
Beer Barrel Polka | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.13 |
Big Boss Man | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.07 |
Bill Cheatham | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.12 |
Black Eyed Susie | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.21 |
Boatman | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.17 |
Brazilian Tune | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.05 |
Bright Shines The Moon | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.14 |
Buck Dance | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.00 |
Buck Dance | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.05 |
Bucking Mule | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.18 |
Buddy Won't You Roll Down That Line | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.07 |
Buddy Won't You Roll Down That Line | Guitar For Pervis | 200.17 |
Buffalo Gals | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.11 |
Bully Of The Town | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.57 |
Cacklin' Hen | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.02 |
Campbell's Farewell To Red Gap | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.01 |
Campbells Are Coming | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.03 |
Chamaritza | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.10 |
Cherokee Shuffle | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.04 |
Chinese Breakdown | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.19 |
Christmas Carols By The Old Coral | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.20 |
Cielito Lindo | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.07 |
Clinch Mountain Home | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.11 |
Copper And The Gunman | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.04 |
Cotton Eyed Joe | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.09 |
Cripple Creek | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.14 |
Crushkeen Lawn | Merritt Herring And Kenny Hall - Jug Of Punch | 450.01 |
Crying Holy | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.07 |
Dance Of The Fairies | Merritt Herring And Kenny Hall - Jug Of Punch | 450.02 |
Dark Town Strutters Ball | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.09 |
Dem Blues | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.04 |
Devilish Mary | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.08 |
Dinah | Sweets Mills String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.23 |
Dixie Medley | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.66 |
Down Yonder | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.12 |
East Tennessee Blues | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.51 |
Ebenezer | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.03 |
Fado | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.09 |
Finger Picking Medley | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.15 |
Flop Eared Mule | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.13 |
Flower Waltz | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.04 |
Flowers Of Edinburgh | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.08 |
Flowers Of Edinburgh | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.08 |
Footprints In The Snow | Guitar For Pervis | 200.25 |
Gay Caballero | Guitar For Pervis | 200.27 |
Goin' Back To Texas | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.10 |
Gold Mine In The Sky | Guitar For Pervis | 200.02 |
Golden Slippers | Guitar For Pervis | 200.26 |
Golden Slippers | Sweets Mills String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.25 |
Gotta Quit Kickin' My Dog Around | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.63 |
Green Valley Waltz | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.08 |
Gypsy Blossom Special | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.03 |
Hallelujah I'm A Bum | Guitar For Pervis | 200.04 |
Hallelujah! I’m A Bum | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.10 |
Happy Hayseeds Two Step | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.13 |
Happy Neighbor Club | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.08 |
Hawaiian Blues | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.18 |
Hawaiian Blues | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.03 |
Heel & Toe Polka | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.06 |
Hesitation Blues | Guitar For Pervis | 200.11 |
High Hop Ladies | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.11 |
Highland Pipe Medley | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.04 |
Highland Pipe Medley | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.16 |
Highway Bogie | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.02 |
Hilo Hawaiian March | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.11 |
Hobb Dye | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.09 |
I Don't Work For A Living | Guitar For Pervis | 200.03 |
I Like Mountain Music, Chicken Reel | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.09 |
I Ride An Old Paint | Guitar For Pervis | 200.05 |
I Took My Gal A Walkin' | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.03 |
I'm Free From Chain Gang Now | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.01 |
If I Lose | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.14 |
In The Jailhouse Now | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.15 |
Indian War Whoop | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.09 |
Indian War Whoop | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.23 |
Irish Washerwoman | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.20 |
It's A Long Way To Tipperary | Guitar For Pervis | 200.19 |
It's A Long Way To Tipperary | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.17 |
It's Nice To Get Up In The Morning | Sweets Mills String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.22 |
Jack Of Diamonds | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.13 |
Jambalaya | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.02 |
Jawbone | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.53 |
Jealous Hearted Me | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.06 |
Jealous Hearted Me | Guitar For Pervis | 200.10 |
John Brown's Dream | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.12 |
Jordan Is A Hard Road To Travel | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.07 |
Katy Nora Medley | Sweets Mills String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.21 |
Kenny's Farm | Sweets Mills String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.20 |
La Espanola | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.13 |
Leaving Home | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.14 |
Leaving Home | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.16 |
Lil' Brown Jug | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.12 |
Lil' Brown Jug | Guitar For Pervis | 200.01 |
Little Beggerman | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.14 |
Little Beggerman | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.11 |
Little Dixie Boy | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.20 |
Little Dixie Boy | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.55 |
Little Girl Dressed In Blue | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.06 |
Little Lady | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.14 |
Little Luly | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.10 |
Little Rabbit | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.13 |
Little Rabbit | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.04 |
Lonesome Road | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.17 |
Lou Nova's Chamaritza | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.06 |
Maggie Walker Blues | Sweets Mills String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.24 |
Mananitas, Clarence's Waltz, Maripossa | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.03 |
Mississippi Sawyer | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.09 |
Mother The Queen Of My Heart | Guitar For Pervis | 200.12 |
Mount Shasta Waltz | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.17 |
My Creole Belle | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.10 |
My Home's Across The Blue Ridge Mountains | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.03 |
New River Train | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.08 |
Noah's Snoa | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.06 |
North Sanger Blue | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.24 |
North Sanger Blues | Guitar For Pervis | 200.16 |
Number 11 On The Jukebox | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.01 |
Oh For The Life Of A Cowboy | Guitar For Pervis | 200.07 |
Old And Gray | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.18 |
Old French | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.11 |
Old Man Old Man, Rattler Treed A Possum | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.12 |
Old Molly Hare | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.01 |
Old Mother Flanagan | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.04 |
Old Spinning Wheel | Guitar For Pervis | 200.23 |
On The Other Side Of Jordan | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.05 |
Peeler Creek Waltz | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.06 |
Peeler's Creek, Peeler's Jacket | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.09 |
Peter Piper | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.19 |
Please | Home Recording | 750.01 |
Policeman | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.12 |
Portugueza | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.13 |
Rainbow | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.03 |
Raise The Roof In Georgia | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.59 |
Red River Valley | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.54 |
Rights Of Man | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.07 |
Roll On Little Dogies Roll On | Guitar For Pervis | 200.06 |
Roly Poly | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.17 |
Rose Tree | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.02 |
Roving Gambler | Guitar For Pervis | 200.13 |
Sail Away Ladies | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.01 |
Sally Ann | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.18 |
Sandy | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.07 |
Sandy | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.18 |
Seneca Square Dance | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.11 |
Shanty In Old Shanty Town | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.04 |
Shaskeen Reel | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.12 |
She's Got The Money Too | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.13 |
Sicilian Polka | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.15 |
Sittin' On Top Of The World | Home Recording | 750.02 |
Snow Deer | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.58 |
Soldier's Joy | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.21 |
Somebody's Waiting For Me | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.14 |
Spanish Tune | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.64 |
Still My Curly Headed Baby Waits For Me | Guitar For Pervis | 200.21 |
Stone Rag | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.02 |
Stony Point | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.02 |
Stop Waltz | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.20 |
Sullivan's Hollow | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.14 |
Susanah Gal | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.15 |
Swedish Schottische | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.07 |
Sweet Sunny South | Sweets Mills String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.19 |
T Is For Texas | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.19 |
Take Me Back To My Boots And Saddle | Guitar For Pervis | 200.20 |
Take Me Back To Texas | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.08 |
Tanner's Blues | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.11 |
TB Blues | Guitar For Pervis | 200.14 |
Tennessee Waltz | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.16 |
Tex Mex Polka | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.05 |
Texas Barb Wire | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.16 |
Texas State Anthem | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.15 |
Texas State Anthem | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.16 |
That Blue Eyed Girl | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.19 |
The West A Nest And You | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.62 |
Three Leaves Of Shamrock | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.08 |
Ti-E Ti-O | Kenny Hall Philo LP 1008 (1974) OOP | 380.10 |
Ti-ee Ti-oh | Guitar For Pervis | 200.24 |
Tommy Don't Go | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.15 |
Too Dul Um Too | Guitar For Pervis | 200.18 |
Toodle Um Too | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.06 |
Uncle Bud, Sugar In The Gourd | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.20 |
Utah Trail | Guitar For Pervis | 200.22 |
Victory Rag, Bourbon Street Parade | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.06 |
Voice Of Portugal | Happy Neighbor Club | 300.01 |
Walk Along John | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.65 |
Walkin In The Parlor | Skiffle Symphony: I Like Mountain Music | 703.05 |
Watermelon On The Vine | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.61 |
Wearing The Green | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.05 |
Wee Doch n Doris | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.56 |
Welch Christmas Carol | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.21 |
West Fork Gals | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.02 |
What A Big Bum I Am | Guitar For Pervis | 200.08 |
When The Work's All Done This Fall | Guitar For Pervis | 200.09 |
Whiskey Before Breakfast | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.22 |
Whistlin’ Rufus | Skiffle Symphony: All Night Long | 701.16 |
White House Blues | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.19 |
Who Broke The Lock | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.01 |
Wilbur Forbes | Long Haul String Band - Raise The Roof | 401.52 |
Willow Garden | Sweets Mill String Band Bay Records CD 727 | 704.10 |
Wind That Shakes The Barley | Skiffle Symphony: All Day Long | 700.08 |
Women Make A Fool Out Of Me | Guitar For Pervis | 200.15 |
Worried Man Blues | New Santa Fe Ramblers - North Sanger Blues | 475.05 |
Zitka | New Santa Fe Ramblers - Number 11 On The Jukebox | 480.05 |