Clark Kessinger

One of the biggest of old-time fiddlers, Clark Kessinger and his nephew, Luches, were billed seeing that the Kessinger Brothers and recorded for the Brunswick business in the past due ’20s, producing information that greatly influenced additional fiddle players round the South. After Luches’ loss of life in 1944, Clark made an appearance only at regional dances around Charleston, Western Virginia, until he was “rediscovered” through the folk revival from the 1960s. Astonishingly, Kessinger was still close to the maximum of his capabilities and suddenly discovered himself popular at folk celebrations, and finished up recording a small number of LPs and showing up around the Grand Ole Opry, where he offered two encores due to target audience demand. He also joined lots of the better-known fiddle contests, earning first place as well as the name of World Champ Fiddler in the 47th annual Old-Time Fiddler’s & Bluegrass Event in Union Grove, NEW YORK in Apr 1971. Kessinger experienced a stroke later on that 12 months, nine years after his return, while energetic in both live looks and documenting for Rounder Information. He was by no means in a position to play once again, and passed on from yet another stroke in 1975 at age 78.