Happy birthday Johnny Gimble

**Scott Tichenor** · May-30-2012, 9:57am

Born May 30, 1926 in Tyler, Texas. Clips of his jazz mandolin playing are rare but check out this grainy old jam session gem where he takes a solo at 1:05. Yesssir, that boy can play the jazz music. A real national treasure the man is.

**pglasse** · May-30-2012, 10:28am

I agree with you completely Scott. Johnny is, in my opinion, one of the most remarkable living instrumentalists in American music. He's got a completely unique voice on the mandolin. I think his playing is vastly under-credited within the mandolin community.

On that video, notice that he's picking the chords with the backs of his fingernails -- fingers pushing away. Just an amazing player....

**Charley wild** · May-30-2012, 10:59am

I was lucky enough to see him once. What a great musician! Chet Atkins was also on the bill. It was a rare night of music!

**Russ Jordan** · May-30-2012, 11:13am

At one of the old Black Mountain (NC) Music Festivals, I was lucky enough to be in attendance for a dance --the band was led by Johnny Gimble and included Jethero Burns!

**Geordie** · May-30-2012, 11:24am

Wow, great music! Really bad camera work, but still, fantastic playing! Thanx for posting this!

**Jack Roberts** · May-30-2012, 12:12pm

Many Happy Returns! I love Johhny Gimble's work.

My compliments on your Avatar, Scott.

**John Duncan** · May-30-2012, 12:49pm

Gimble's fiddle playing on swing and country stuff is absolutely legendary. He is the reason people play five string fiddles. Happy birthday to a living legend.

Just killing it in his livin room.

**Caleb** · May-30-2012, 3:33pm

I've seen him play twice with his family band. Such a great musician.

**Spencer** · May-31-2012, 11:25am

A while back on YouTube there was a link to an old Austin City Limits show with Jethro, Johnny Gimble and Tiny Moore, where they all played "Groovin high" on mandolins with a great break by Johnny. I can't find it there on YouTube any more, maybe somebody else has a link to it somewhere??. It's worth hearing if it can be found!

Spencer

**Loretta Callahan** · May-31-2012, 4:00pm

One of my all time favorite fiddlers! I grew up with him and Bob Wills kickin' it. Happy Birthday, Mr. Gimble.

**Jimdalf** · May-31-2012, 5:37pm

Wow, what a great player! I liked the interview. (paraphrasing here)
Aly Bain "you have to be so precise"
Johnny Gimble "No, I just slide alot."
made me laugh!

**jaycat** · May-31-2012, 8:58pm

That sure sounds like electric guitar.

**Ed Goist** · May-31-2012, 9:03pm

Gimble's Swing

**F-2 Dave** · May-31-2012, 10:26pm

Happy birthday Johnny Gimble. I know I'm a day late. Also I realize that you probably won't even see this, but If I could play mandolin (or fiddle for that matter) like anyone, I'd want to play like Johnny Gimble. Thanks for all the wonderful music over the years.

Dave