Interview with Jim Shumate, November 10, 2004
Project: Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum Oral History Project
Interview Summary
Jim Shumate, a notable bluegrass fiddler, begins the interview by recalling his childhood in North Carolina. Shumate remembers his experience of playing at the Grand Ole Opry. Shumate discusses his early career, including working for a radio station in Hickory, North Carolina at nineteen. Shumate describes what it was like to move to Nashville during World War II. Shumate compares David "Stringbean" Akeman to Earl Scruggs in terms of banjo playing styles. Shumate talks of performing with Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys. Shumate also discusses the decision to leave Flatt and Scruggs. Shumate recalls interesting stories of touring with the Blue Grass Boys and Flatt and Scruggs. Shumate discusses the 1973 murder of David "Stringbean" Akeman and his wife. Shumate highlights some stories of Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe. Regional variations of bluegrass music are also mentioned. Shumate illustrates his friendship with Lester Flatt. Shumate then performs fiddle tunes and lists some of his favorite bluegrass songs. Shumate considers some of the challenges of teaching students to play the fiddle. Shumate gives advice to would-be bluegrass musicians. Shumate explains how he became a musician through hard work and refining his fiddle playing style. Shumate offers his perspective on music festivals. Shumate concludes the interview by detailing how he made a living through playing music and running his own business.Interview Accession
Interviewee Name
Interviewer Name
Interview Date
Interview Keyword
Bluegrass music Fiddles Fiddle players Grand ole opry (Radio program) Radio programs Banjos Banjo players Earl Scruggs (Artist) Flatt and Scruggs (Artist) Lester Flatt (Artist) Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys (Artist) Bill Monroe (Artist) Stringbean (Artist) Live performances David "Stringbean" Akeman (Artist) World War IIInterview Rights
All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.Interview Usage
Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.Restriction
Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.
Add this interview to your cart in order to begin the process of requesting access to a copy of and/or permission to reproduce interview(s).
Shumate, Jim Interview by Herb Smith. 10 Nov. 2004. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
Shumate, J. (2004, November 10). Interview by H. Smith. Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.
Shumate, Jim, interview by Herb Smith. November 10, 2004, Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
Persistent Link for this Record: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7c862bcb1b