Allen Sisson
Robert Allen Sisson (born August 31, 1873 - September 22, 1951 ) was an American old-time musician from Georgia . At the age of twelve, Sisson was considered the best fiddler in Northern Georgia.
Life
Childhood and youth
Allen Sisson was born in the mountains of northern Georgia and grew up in Gilmer County , Georgia. Through his grandfather, himself a talented and well-known fiddler and veteran of the American Civil War , Sissons was motivated to learn the fiddle as a young child. By the age of twelve, he was already known as the best fiddler in northern Georgia.
As a young man, Sisson began working in the mines of DSC & J Mines in Copperville , Tennessee .
Career
In 1921 he won a Fiddler's Contest in Tennessee and was named Tennessee State Fiddle Champion . He was also widely known during the 1920s for appearing on NBC radio .
In early 1925, Sissons began his recording career. He was invited by Edison Records to record ten tracks at Edison Studios in East Orange , New Jersey . On February 25, Allen recorded three tracks ( Walking Water Reel , Kentucky Wagoners and Rocky Road to Dublin ) and the following day seven tracks ( Gray Eagle , Katy Hill Reel , Cumberland Gap , Farewell Ducktown , Kaiser's Defeat March , Sally Brown and Rymer's Favorite ). Some of these titles were self-written.
When Sisson returned home from the session, he brought a radio from New Jersey. It was the first radio in the region and Sisson was besieged by people who wanted to listen to the radio. After 1925 he never held a recording session again, but always had his fiddle ready to play a few pieces. Allen Sisson died in 1951 at the age of 78.
Fiddler Tommy Magness , musician for Bill Monroe , Roy Acuff and Roy Hall , named Allen, alongside Fiddlin 'John Carson , as his greatest influence - he even knew Sisson and occasionally played with him.
Discography
Some recordings have also been published on wax cylinders .
| year | title | # | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published titles | |||
| Edison Records | |||
| 1925 | Farewell Ducktown / Rymer's Favorite | 51522 | |
| 1925 | Rocky Road to Dublin / Walking Water Reel | 51559 | |
| 1925 | Katy Hill / Cumberland Gap | 51690 | |
| Kentucky Wagoners / Gray Eagle | 51720 | ||
| Other recordings | |||
| 1925 |
|
Edison | unpublished |
Web links
- Biography (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Sisson, Allen |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Sisson, Robert Allen |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American old-time musician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | August 31, 1873 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Georgia |
| DATE OF DEATH | September 22, 1951 |