Biography

Fiddle player. Born March 31, 1926. Died December 9, 1979. Full name: Thomas Lee Jackson, Jr. Career most active 1940s-1960s. One of the first session players to work in Nashville. Known for his influential single-string and double-stop techniques. Heard on hit recordings by numerous artists, including Hank Williams, Webb Pierce, and Ray Price. His influential style can be heard on the 1956 Ray Price hit “Crazy Arms.”

Interview Summary

1976 February 18
(2 hours, 5 minutes)
Fiddle player, Tommy Jackson gives an overview of his career. Discussion includes his development of his fiddle playing; discussion of his recordings; his musical interests; events in his career; performers he worked with, including the Duke of Paducah, Red Foley, and Ray Price; and experiences working as a fiddle player during the 1950s and 1960s.