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Vassar Clements was one
of the world’s finest, and probably the world’s most versatile
fiddle players to this day. His career began at a very early
age. His phenomenal ability to virtually play any kind of
music (bluegrass, country, pop, rock, jazz and swing) has
garnered him various awards, including five Grammy nominations
and a track record that involves multitudes of recording
performances. His performing and recording experience has been
so diverse, the list reads like “Who’s Who” of fiddle players.
Vassar’s career spanned
over fifty years. His association with Bill Monroe began when
he was only 14 years old and still in school. He started with
Bill as a regular Bluegrass Boy in 1949 and was with him
through 1956. From 1957 to 1961 he performed with bluegrass
stalwarts, Jim & Jesse McReynolds. In 1962 he took leave from
his music to pursue other interests, but returned to full time
music when he decided to make Nashville his home in January
1967.
Vassar did recording
sessions and played tenor banjo in Nashville’s “Dixieland
Landing” club until October 1969. He then started touring with
Faron Young and doing occasional solo dates when time
permitted. In February 1971, he joined John Hartford and his
“Dobrolic Plectral Society,” initiating a professional
association and personal friendship that has grown even
stronger through the years. After ten months, and earning an
enormous amount of recognition and popularity the group
decided to disband. Vassar then found himself with the
legendary Earl Scruggs and the “Earl Scruggs Revue.”
Since 1973, when Vassar
signed his first major label deal with Mercury/Polygram
records, his personal discography totals 27 albums ranging
from country, waltzes, swing & jazz. Ironically, in 1992 he
recorded his only straight bluegrass recording for Rounder
Records entitled “Grass Routes.”
To say that Vassar
Clements was a musicians’ musician is an understatement. His
modest demeanor and his professional approach to music made
him an idol to many in the entertainment industry.
Vassar
Clements passed away August 16, 2005.
Dusty Owens
TCM Radio
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