Randy Howard

RANDY HOWARD, one of the world’s premiere fiddle players, passed away June 29th, 1999 at the age of 38 after a four year battle with cancer. His final masterpiece I REST MY CASE was released in the year 2001 on Sugar Hill Records. It features his original compositions and guests Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, David Grisman, Romane, Roy Huskey, Jr., Don Rigsby, and Kathy Chiavola.

In the last year of his life, Randy also completed an instructional video for Mel Bay entitled, "HOT FIDDLIN’".

Randy won every major fiddle competition including the Union Grove, North Carolina World Championship in l979, the last and youngest person ever to win that honor. An eight- time National Champion, four times Tennessee Old Time Fiddler Champion, he also won the Grand Masters Fiddle Championship in 1985, and the National Mandolin Championship at Winfield, Kansas, in l990. He was equally skilled on acoustic and electric guitar.

Randy released his acclaimed debut "Survival of the Fiddlist" CD in l993. It contains mostly original and a few traditional fiddle tunes. Guest artists include Bela Fleck and Roy Husky, Jr. "... a world class musician... immeasurable skills ...a forty minute program of music which is impressive, inspiring, and immensely enjoyable....it is the most exciting instrumental album to come my way in a long time" Al Moir, Country Music People; "plays with verve and impeccable technique" Chicago Tribune, July 20, '95 ; "one damn fine fiddle album....he has all the technical ability of a Mark Oconnor or Stuart Duncan, but there is a keen edge to his playing here that is somehow different and exciting." SEBA Breakdown, Feb., '95.

(Right: Randy with Emmylou Harris and Jon Randall at the Roy Huskey Jr Appreciation Concertat the Station Inn)

Randy was a top Nashville session musician. His versatility was evident in his big band swing style on Shelby Lynne's landmark CD "Temptation".. He also appeared in a featured role in her video "Feelin' Kinda Lonely Tonight".. He created a classic bluegrass sound on the new Grammy nominated J.D. Crowe recording "Flashback", the Lonesome River Band's new "One Step Forward," and he played mandolin on the "George Jones and Friends" MCA recording. He was featured on a duet with Chet Atkins on Chet's "Almost Alone." Other recordings include the Kennedy Rose "Walk The Line," the platinum selling BLACKHAWK , the new Garth Brooks CD, and Kenny Chesney.

Randy's live performances included ten European tours with Kathy Chiavola. "Mention must be made of Randy Howard who, far more than just a supporting musician, was a genuine co-star...hugely expressive fiddle work..." Douglas McPherson, Country Music People. He was a member of Kathy's band in the States. He had been a featured guest with Steve Wariner, Faith Hill, Shelby Lynne, Rhonda Vincent, Ricky Skaggs, Sweethearts of the Rodeo and J.D. Crowe. In 1998 Randy earned a riotous ovation at the Grand Ol' Opry when he was featured in a solo spot accompanied by Ricky Skaggs and Rhonda Vincent, aired on Grand Ol' Opry Live on TNN.

Randy was raised in Milledgeville, Georgia, where he was introduced to the fiddle by his father. His style was steeped in tradition, incorporating rhythm and blues, bluegrass, swing, Texas style fiddling and the virtuosity of Paganini.

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