Hook and Line

This tune is an East Kentucky dance classic called ’Hook and Line.’ It may be one of the oldest banjo tunes in existence, stretching all the way back to the banjo’s African roots. Apparently folks would sometimes dance all night to just this one tune. There are many different variants of Hook and Line from all over Kentucky and Appalachia and I’ve got several sources who have influenced my version. Brett Hill and Kyle Lyons of Brother Hill worked up one of the finest versions I’ve ever heard and I’ve borrowed some vocal elements from their interpretation. I’ve also been influenced by the playing of the legendary Roscoe Holcomb, Clifton Hicks, John Haywood, and Kevin Howard who are all fantastic banjoists of the Kentucky old time styles.