For today’s Pickin and Grinnin in the Kitchen Spot I’m sharing a fiddle tune from The Pressley Girls. Chitter heard the tune on a cd she had and then went to YouTube to learn how to play it.
The tune is often played at Contra Dances and that is where I’ve most often heard it.
This is what the Traditional Tune Archive has to say about it:
LITTLE BURNT POTATO. AKA – “Burnt Potato,” “Frank’s Two-Step.” American, Canadian, English, Irish; Single Jig. USA; New England, New York, Missouri. Canada; Maritimes, Ontario. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (Begin): AABB (Brody): AA’BB’ (Barnes, Bayard, Carlin, Messer, Miller & Perron, Perlman, Phillips). “Little Burnt Potato” was popularized by Canadian Maritime radio and TV fiddler Don Messer. The tune has been characterized as Irish in origin, although in fact it is the composition of Canadian fiddler Colin J. Boyd, who was himself of Scottish descent. Boyd was born in West Lakeville, Nova Scotia, in 1891, and learned to play the fiddle as a child, inspired by his uncle Hughie MacGillivary (whose fiddle he inherited). Like many in the community, he learned and spoke Gaelic. Due to a declining ecomony, Boyd found work in 1909 in Ontario, then moved to Boston for the years 1911-1916 where he studied violin and learned to read music. It was during his Boston years that he composed “Little Burnt Potato.” Boyd had the distinction of being the first Nova Scotian fiddler to record in 1932, in Montreal for the Brunswick label. He later settled in Ontario, and passed away in 1975.
I hope you enjoyed the peppy little tune. It’s one that will get stuck in your head if you’re not careful.
I also hope you enjoyed the out-takes or bloopers after the song. They are the reason I chose the photo at the top of this post. Chatter and Chitter have been blessed with the gift of laughter and silliness—which means there’s never been a dull moment for us since the day they were born 🙂
Thank you for the kind words of encouragement and prayers for Miss Cindy. Your kindness has richly blessed us all!
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I love this tune…makes me want to get up and dance an Irish jig. I’ve onLt recently found you and your wonder Mama and Daddy here and on YouTube. Y’all really brighten my days! Thank you, and bless you!
Such a happy song! Puts a smile on my face!
What a fun, happy tune! Thank you for playing it and posting it.
Always enjoy listening to the girls playing these fiddle tunes. They definitely love to have fun! Thanks for sharing!
We had special prayer for Miss Cindy this morning at church, Robbie Lynn stood in for her and I anointed her with oil and the whole church prayed over her. Praying for y’all’s entire family.
Picture of the girls is so sweet laughing together in the field. The fiddle tune is a toe tapper. It kind of reminds me a little bit of the old Disney song “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” , both are up beat, fun and good toe tappers. I love hearing the girls play together and the bloopers are always so funny. I’m way behind on a lot of my YouTube videos. I’m trying to catch up on them this week. I haven’t ordered your cookbook yet, but will as soon as I can. Please let Miss Cindy know we all miss her and prayers for her will continue.
I love it!!!! You girls are so good, and do much fun!!!! God bless you and yours!❤❤
Great tune very well played but the silliness that followed was wonderful.
What talented and beautiful young ladies. May they ever have their light-hearted way!
Simply beautiful.
Good Sunday morning Ms Tipper,
I just placed my order for the cookbook.
I may be needing a 12 step program for my cookbook addiction. Lol
I am so looking forward to finding it in my mailbox. You cook just like my family and I have for generations. I’m especially looking forward to the stories that are included. I have followed you for years. And have mourned your losses and celebrated the good timeswith you. I wish my husband was as involved in gardening and embracing the old ways as Matt. I married a Cali boy that fell in love with our southern ways. Bless him.
May God bless and keep you all.
Mary Ann Kellakis
P.s. – I did request personalization
Loved the tune! Loved the picture of the girls in the field. We all could use a little more laughter and silliness. Katie and Corie are such a blessing to you and all of your family. And I agree with you Tipper. I’m sure there has never been a dull moment with them around. Have a blessed Sunday. Prayers to you all.
Included Miss Cindy in my Rosary this morning…for strength, comfort and courage.
Loved that catchy song!
Love the joy that this tune brings with it. When squash bugs and rain have had their way with all my hard work, I will replay this and then get on with gardening. Enjoyed these talented girls so much!
I love the picture of the girls in the field. Beautiful! Please send love to Miss Cindy.
Tipper, I tried to leave you a prayer, I got to crying and something went wrong, God bless you and your family in Jesus name
That is indeed a catchy tune and the walk, jog, sprint, flat out race analogy is a good one. Glad you all have your two rays of sunshine to liven up the holler. They are truly a blessing to many. If I were to be silly there is probably nobody who knows me that wouldn’t be mystified and astonished. And I would trip myself up.
Is it just me or are your daughters not only talented but beautiful too? I’m up for taters any day and I confess I always look for the burnt potato chips cause they are delicious! Lol. I am never not impressed by all the talent your little ladies possess! Btw I felt confident yesterday in the verses I gave only to discover later I really messed it up. It’s Joshua 1: 5-9. It’s so important God literally says “be strong and courageous” three times. My prayers are for beautiful and kind Miss Cindy and your family always! Have a blessed day all!
it’s morning, God bless you Tipper, God bless your girls God bless Ms Cindy with healing and health, God bless Matt God bless Paul and God bless granny in Jesus name, and any body that you love and care about, our people, my people in Jesus name, I love the tune , thank you girls for filling this space of pain and suffering, oh yeah, God bless your husband’s and boyfriends girls ✝️❤️maybe go to church today!
What a catchy tune!! Love when y’all share your talents! My best cousins were twins, my best friend was a twin, and our first grandchildren were twin girls. Silliness comes with that wonderful blessing of twins!!
We continue lifting Miss Cindy and all y’all in prayer! Sunday blessings to all!
I love that tune! Your girls are so talented!
I always love hearin’ them thar girls of your. Such a Blessing they are. God bless you guys.