Today’s post was written by Paul.
For our third story song this year, I chose “Catfish John” a song that I first heard in the Anderson Music Hall at the Georgia Mountain Fair in Hiawassee in the 90’s.
I was there that night with Pap and some other family to hear the Gillis Brothers, Del McCoury, and Jim & Jesse McReynolds. Every act was absolutely great that night. We enjoyed it so much, not only the music, but the comedy as well, such as when one of the Gillis Brothers moonwalked across the stage during a bluegrass instrumental. 🙂
I remember that my cousin Allen and I were completely blown away by the mandolin picking of Ronnie McCoury, to the point where we dubbed him as the greatest mandolin player in the world without doubt. Pap overheard us and said, “You just wait till you hear Jesse pick the mandolin here in a minute.” Jim & Jesse were slightly the bigger stars back then (in comparison to Del and his band), so they closed the show.
Allen and I kind of scoffed at what Pap said. I said something like, “Yeah, I know Jesse is good, but his picking could never compare to what we just heard.” I think I also said something about Jesse being nigh on 70 years old. As always, Pap was right.
When Jim and Jesse played their set, Jesse blew us away all over again. He was even better than I ever thought he was. To borrow a term from heavy metal guitarists, Jesse shredded Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B Goode” on his mandolin, and at the end of his incredible mandolin break, he jumped up in the air! I couldn’t believe, at his age (and wearing cowboy boots), that he was 2 or 3 feet in the air above the stage! 🙂
During their set, Jim and Jesse let their bass player sing a song by himself. A lot of acts do things like that so they can get a bit of rest and catch their breath somewhere during their set. Also, one thing I’ve learned about bluegrass musicians is that there’s always way more than meets the eye. No one is just a bass player, just a banjo player, etc. There’s always a wealth of talent that they don’t necessarily showcase in their regular roles/jobs.
For example, for many years, I knew of David Mclaughlin only as an excellent guitar player, having no idea that he was more famous for playing mandolin with the Johnson Mountain Boys.
Anyway, I thought it was cool that Jim and Jesse gave up some of their time so the bass player could shine for a moment. I don’t recall the bass player’s name. I only recall that he had a head full of white hair that was neatly styled, and he had a great voice and sang very smoothly. I did a quick Google search to see if I could find his identity, but Jim and Jesse had so many bass players that it would be very hard to locate him in the proverbial haystack, so to speak.
For his solo number, he sang “Catfish John.” Pap and I were immediately appreciative of the song. I wondered if Tom T. Hall might have written it. It told such a great story and had that type of vibe, in that it focused on the great virtue and quiet wisdom of someone who society might mistakenly consider as unimpressive and lowly.
There was no internet back then, so it wasn’t like I could go home and look up the lyrics of the song after the concert. I didn’t hear the song again until just 5 or 6 years ago when I caught a special on PBS about the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. They, with help from Allison Krauss, re-popularized the song.
For this upload, I had to find out who first released the song. It was written by Bob McDill and Allen Reynolds. I investigated to see if Allen Reynolds might be related to Jim and Jesse, thinking he or his family might have dropped the “mc” from the surname. According to Google AI, there is no relation there.
“Catfish John” was first released by McDill on an album called “Short Stories.” Soon after that release, Johnny Russel released the song in 1972. Russell’s release is probably where most folks (including NGDB) learned it. You can hear it here.
Many acts have recorded the song, including the Grateful Dead. I hope that you enjoyed this story song and that you go check out a lot of different versions.
I apologize for the poor video quality and the car driving by during this video. It seems I can never remember to adjust my camera settings when I shoot outside.
Hopefully, this video is good enough to demonstrate what a great story song this is. I didn’t grow up in the delta, and I didn’t know any former slaves, but I can relate to hanging around an elderly man as a kid and learning from him, as there were several who came and went in our holler, some of them outcasts that Granny told me to stay away from.
Paul
Original singles released on Spotify.
Shepherd of My Soul (Album released in 2016).
The Wilson Brothers Words of Life Album released in the 70s.
Thank you Paul, for the song! I love hearing Granny’s sweet voice “Now that’s old timey!”
I love this song, one of the best oldies! Your brother did so good!
My dad played mandolin from the time he was a teen back in the 40s. There was a work crew on the railroad that ran through the small Kansas town where he lived. After the day’s work was done the crew would play music together and Dad would go listen to them. He was fascinated by the sound of the mandolin being played. Soon afterward he ordered one from either Sears and Robuck or “Monkey” Ward and eventually taught himself how to play.
Years later Dad and my sister, brother and I played bluegrass and gospel music at small festivals in our area. “Catfish John” was one of the songs we did with lead sung by me. We had heard The White’s perform it at a festival in the early 80’s. I sure miss those days.
Linnie, what wonderful memories!!
I didn’t know the history of the song, but I believe I have heard Sam Bush sing and play it and have always loved it. Paul does such a great job singing and playing. I could listen to him for hours.
Hey Paul. Good pickin & singin as usual! Your talent always shows in your fingers & voice. Great job. I haven’t heard that song in years. I remember Johnny Russell singing it.
♥️
thank you for the song Paul, I was not strong enough to take care of my brother, he had to go back to my sister’s, she has been a caretaker for several years, her husband is a tall man and he is stronger, I’m so sorry I could not help my brother, the oxygen machine was making it too hot, my air conditioning is broke, an outlet needs replacing and fixing, the bed was a little too tall for him to get on, I’m so sorry I could not do better for my brother, thank you for praying and God bless you very much
Norman, you did the best you could do!! I will keep praying for him and for you too.
Mr. Norman I will pray for you. Please don’t beat yourself up over not being able to care, very long, for your brother. I’m sure he wouldn’t wanted you to feel that way. Just pray God will be there for Mr Benny and to travel with him in this final journey. You can only do what you can do. God bless your sister and may He give her all the strength and courage to do this for Mr Benny. Love to y’all and Prayers to all of you. .
Mr Paul, I really liked that song. Thank you and it was good hearing Miss Louzine’s sweet voice doing the introduction.
Well done, Paul.
Paul, I just loved this song. You sang it so well and the guitar playing was so so good. I listened to Johnny Russel and Allison Kraus sing it too. For Christmas, our children bought us tickets to go see Allison Kraus and Union Station. The concert is soon, and I am so looking forward to it. I hope they sing this song!
That was so enjoyable to listen to and the background information was really interesting. I hadn’t thought about The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in many, many years! I used to really enjoy listening to them and Credence Clearwater Revival. Yep, definitely telling my age lol
Wonderful song Paul.
I enjoyed it very much, you are a great guitar player. Bad lighting, lol!
Paul, you are such an excellent guitar player. I love listening to you entertain us each Sunday morning.
Love it! You are so talented Paul! I haven’t heard that,”In a ‘coons age” as my Daddy would say!
We had a really big frost here this morning. Luckily I haven’t planted anything. I hope to fix that soon!
Great song, great pickin’ and singing!! Paul, you pick, play and sing a lot like my Daddy use to when he was alive. You are an excellent representative of bluegrass and gospel music. Thank you for sharing the gifts God has given you. God bless you and keep pickin’.
In my opinion, every child needs worthy elders to know, be associated with and learn from. That way they get a look at the other end of life. They won’t understand the value for several decades but it will keep and they will grow into it. For me, that would be my Grandma. She had a hard life in several ways but it never soured her on people or life either.
Happy Palm Sunday morning!
I heard you sing it on your YouTube channel the other day. I thought it was a good toe, tapping tune. However, today, I listened to the words and realized, even though the tune is peppy. The words are really sad.
What a great way to begin this beautiful Palm Sunday… I love this song and Paul, you did a great job. You have so much talent and I appreciate your willingness to share it with us, your followers. I was born and raised in the Tarheel State and grew up listening to Jim and Jesse, The Chuck Wagon Gang, Eddy Arnold, Flat and Scruggs, etc. – my Daddy’s favorite music. I enjoy your music and the back stories of the artists and their songs. Thank you!
Oh, how great to hear this song!
It brings back such good memories of my first years in a bluegrass ensemble where I learned it. Well done Paul! And, I love playing and singing on a porch, so the passing cars, barking dogs and bird songs are just part of the soundtrack.
I sure enjoyed hearing your excellent singing and playing! Had me tapping my foot! It’s the first time I’ve heard this song.
Tipper, Paul,
that was beautiful. There almost always is some one in our lives that Mama will, or someone in our family, will advise us to stay away from who we care for and has good qualities,even good qualities.
Thank you for sharing.
I will ask for prayers again for my foot to continue healing. I am so eternally grateful it has been doing great. It still looks rough, but it is healing. Also my Daddy Ricky Tuggle needs your prayers. As well as my sister Angel who has brain cancer and has been having a very difficult time. Thank you.
I will pray for you all Kourtni!
Good morning Paul, Tipper and Acorns. This song made me think of our Late Hobo Shoestring. He had a home in Johnson City, TN but rode the rails all over the country. He has a youtube channel. He disappeared last year and was found drowned in the South Holston River not too far from his home.
I enjoy bluegrass music, Jim and Jesse were one of my favorites. I like Allison Krauss version of Catfish John. My father in law had this to say about true old style bluegrass music “ you either can do it or you can’t.” For the ones that like the old style bluegrass gospel hymns, I recently discovered a Mennonite family that I enjoy singing the old time hymns bluegrass style. They are The Brendanberger Famiy. A lot of there videos are taped around their home not in a studio or on stage. In my opinion it don’t get much better than them. You can find them on you tube. A good one to start on is “Some Call It Heaven I Call It Home” and go from there.