Nile Wilson Fiddle Tune Book
available in standard notation and mando TAB
I’ve just released a new edition of my Nile Wilson tune book with three more tunes and a biography by Howard Marshall. Subscribers to my Patreon can download for free at Charlie's Patreon Shop. Paid Sunstack subscribers can nab a free copy at the bottom of this post. If you want to purchase you can do so for $6 at the patreon shop link above. Includes both standard notation and mandolin TAB editions. Here’s a little sample.
Nile B. Wilson, born on August 6, 1912, in the New Boston community of Linn County, Missouri, was a distinguished figure in the realm of traditional Missouri fiddling. His parents, William Randolph "Dolf" Wilson and Ollie (Davis) Wilson, nurtured his early musical inclinations. Dolf, a celebrated fiddler himself, introduced Nile to the violin at the tender age of five, imparting foundational tunes such as "Boatsman" and "Raccoon Tail Is Rings All Around."
Tragedy struck in December 1930 when an accident with a corn shredder resulted in the loss of parts of Nile's left-hand fingers. This injury posed significant challenges to his fiddling technique. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, Nile adapted his playing style and, just two years later, clinched first place in his inaugural fiddle contest in LaPlata in 1932.
Nile dedicated many years to operating a road grader, contributing to the construction of U.S. highways across northern Missouri until his retirement in 1980. Despite career and family, his passion for fiddling remained undiminished. He continued to participate in numerous contests, achieving notable victories and playing for dances and teaching other to play.
Nile's fiddling style is emblematic of the "north Missouri" tradition, characterized by its repertoire of "tie hacker tunes." These melodies, inherited from his grandfather, were influenced by itinerant Irish workers who camped near the Wilson family farm while harvesting white oak timber for railroad ties.
Nile's contributions to Missouri's musical heritage have been well-documented. He was featured on the Grammy-finalist double LP "Now That's a Good Tune: Masters of Traditional Missouri Fiddling" (University of Missouri, 1989). Scholars such as Howard Marshall have analyzed his playing, and Charlie Walden has recorded Nile and chronicled his musical journey
Beyond his musical prowess, Nile was revered as a contest judge, though he often expressed reluctance to assume this role. His humility and dedication to the craft made him a beloved figure in the fiddling community. Nile Wilson passed away on March 21, 2008, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence traditional Missouri fiddling.
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