Clarence T. Ashley
Clarence "Tom" Ashley (September 29, 1895—June 2, 1967) was born Clarence Earl McCurry in Bristol, Tennessee, and raised in Shouns, Tennessee. He performed as a clawhammer banjoist and guitarist in itinerant Southern Appalachian medicine shows starting in 1911. He recorded with regional ensembles including the Blue Ridge Mountain Entertainers, the Carolina Tar Heels, and Byrd Moore & His Hot Shots. Following decades of semi-retirement, he resumed touring during the 1960s folk revival, recording a pair of Folkways Records albums that introduced flatpicking guitarist Doc Watson to a national audience.
In the newsletter
- No. 33 September 2003