Fiddling Around With the Time Jumpers
On Monday night in Nashville, I took a friend of mine from Wichita, Kansas, to the Station Inn to see the fantastic Time Jumpers — or perhaps I should say the Grammy-nominated Time Jumpers! They are up for best country vocal performance, as well as best country instrumental performance, and it’s the latter that is of more interest to me. Not just because I’m a sucker for instrumentals (and the Time Jumpers are amazing), but also because my band, The Greencards, are also nominated in this category. So, sitting there at the show I was tempted to throw insults and spit bombs at them, but with unusual maturity I held back my rage!
Fronted by Kenny Sears, a great Texan fiddler and singer, the Time Jumpers are an 11-piece band including three fiddlers, accordion and until recently, the late great John Hughey. It’s always a night of great fiddling, and that’s why I brought my classical violin-playing friend to the gig. The funny part came just after they performed their Grammy-nominated track, “Fidoodlin’.” The accordion player, Jeff Taylor, pointed me out in the audience and remarked he was honored to be in the same category as The Greencards! Blushing a remarkable pinkish hue, I gave a quick wave and sighed relief as they went to their next song.
To my classical musician friend, this genuine comradeship was something that blew her mind — she couldn’t believe how convivial and warm the atmosphere was between two supposed competitors. It really is amazing how country and folk musicians are very willing to share their knowledge and open the circle to those who have the desire. We’re all in this together. As I said hello to the other band members at halftime, it brought home to me that while we might be called rivals for this award, there is no sense of competition between us. May the best song win!
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
Tony says:
ok, i’m not sue exactly where to send this, but hopefully someone will read it. what is going on with CMT lately? why are they playing all these T.V. shows? I thought t was country music TELEVISION??? i barely get to see any videos anymore. Most of the shows are garbage anyway. Lastly, what is going on with some of the songs that ARE getting played? That song “Bubbly” is not country, not even the least bit. I feel that some people may be destroying country music. GET OUT OF THIS “MTV” LIFESTYLE!!! MTV sucks as it is, don’t be like them. i sure hope someone reads this, and can help out.
Rick says:
Tony, CMT is owned and controlled by Viacom, which also owns the MTV and VH-I networks, so the shift in programming is not unexpected. At least the transformation hasn’t been as disheartening as the TNN Nashville Network becoming the SPIKE garbage channel….
Eamon, Its nice to know the TimeJumpers are keeping traditional Bob Wills style Western Swing music alive and well in Nashville. That style of music is still highly appreciated in Texas and Oklahoma but is fading into obscurity almost everywhere else, so its nice its not forgotten in Music City. I hope that either The Greencards or TimeJumpers win the Grammy. Now if we could just get Elana James and Carrie Rodriguez performing together I think you’d both be in big trouble…….
Patti says:
well…you know I have a ‘thang’ for the accordion but I’ll be cheering for a Greencard Grammy!! Glad Nashville showed its hospitality!
Marty says:
Of course i,m rootin for the Time Jumpers….oh how i miss John! Also when TNN first aired it was my lifeline….Nashville Now, Lorianne & Charlie. Living up here in Toronto it was a God sent ( being a steel player). But all good things come to an end I guess!!!!!! SAD
Ted Christy says:
I haven’t had my radio tuned to a modern country station in the last ten years. Most of it is lifeless junk. The Time Jumpers are a breath of fresh air. It’s good therapy for them and us.
Leona M. says:
Where have I been? Heard and saw the TIME JUMPERS for the
first time Sat. night on GRAND OLE OPRY. “BREATH of fresh
air”, says it all! Where can we get a CD? Seems like I
heard them say only online. Will try.
Marge Oberle says:
I think the Time Jumpers are the greatest and of course I have always thought Dawn Sears was just about the greatest female vocalist around, along with Connie Smith. Ever since I heard her doing backup for Vince Gill I just love her voice, don’t know why she didn’t become a female country singer. Just the best.