Jody's Column

"Broken Down Gambler" as played by The Skillet Lickers

- Jody Stecher

"Broken Down Gambler," a lively and unusual fiddle tune was recorded by the famous Georgia band The Skillet Lickers. The year was 1930, the place was Atlanta, the key was G major. Beyond that there is little agreement. According to various sources, there were two fiddlers; there was only one and it was Clayton McMichen; no it wasn't, it was Lowe Stokes; no it was both of them; there were three because Bert Layne played as well; yes he did but one of the three was Gid Tanner; no it wasn't, Gid played banjo on this cut; no he didn't, that was Fate Norris; it was not, that was Ted Hawkins on banjo-mandolin; no it was both of them while Gid Tanner played jew's harp. And so on. Let's go by the sonic evidence, shall we?