Biography

Country music duo. A brother duo comprised of fiddler Charlie (full name: Charlie Melvin Stripling; born August 8, 1896; died January 19, 1966) and guitarist Ira (full name: Ira Lee Stripling; born June 5, 1898; died March 11, 1967). An old-time fiddle-guitar duo, they recorded for the Brunswick and Decca record labels from 1928-1936. Their recordings include noteworthy renditions of several old fiddle tunes, including “Horseshoe Bend,” “Big Eyed Rabbit,” “Wolves A’Howling,” and “Lost Child.”

Interview Summary

1963 September 2
(1 hour, 5 minutes)
Brother duo Charlie and Ira Stripling discuss their musical career. Discussion includes their background and their first instruments; Charlie winning fiddlers’ contests; recording for Vocalion and Decca; Charlie’s “trick” fiddling; Charlie’s compositions; Charlie’s Fiddling Band; Ira’s decision to quit the music business in 1950 following health problems; and listening to Carl Sauceman on the radio.