John Hartford

John Cowan Hartford (December 30 1937– June 4 2001) was an American bluegrass composer and musician known for his mastery of the fiddle and banjo, as well as for his witty lyrics and unique vocal style. Hartford performed with a vari

John Cowan Hartford (December 30 1937– June 4 2001) was an American bluegrass composer and musician known for his mastery of the fiddle and banjo, as well as for his witty lyrics and unique vocal style. Hartford performed with a variety of ensembles throughout his career, and is perhaps best known for his solo performances where he would interchange the guitar, banjo, and fiddle from song to song. He also invented his own shuffle tap dance move, and danced on a amplified piece of plywood while he played and sang.

John Harford (he would change his name to Hartford later in life at the behest of Chet Atkins) was born on December 30, 1937 in New York City. He spent his childhood in St. Louis, MO where he fell in love with two things, music and the Mississippi River. He recorded more than 30 albums, and was a featured guest on many others, including the Byrds Sweetheart of the Rodeo. He won a Grammy award in 1968 for his song "Gentle on My Mind", after Glen Campbell's cover version became a hit. The notoriety and income that his hit provided allowed Hartford to forge his own path in music, allowing him to break free of the need to record hit after hit to support his career. He won another Grammy in 1976 for his album Mark Twang for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording.