Special Collections Research Center

Johnny Rhymer Music


The 11 items in this digital collection are from AC-825: Johnny Rhymer Music and Papers, Series 2, which contains original audiocassettes and phonograph records of 1940s country and bluegrass singers and pickers. Biographical Note: Johnny H. Rhymer was born in 1920 in North Carolina and died in 2001. He married Hazel Martha Boone (1923-2013) from Yancey County, North Carolina. He served in the Armed Forces in World War II, registering in 1941. Hazel's brother Claude Boone was also a singer and recorded a cassette for her. Johnny sang and played fiddle with Farmer's Federation with Chub Parham, Phil Rhymer and Louie Taylor in the 1970s. Several of the original cassettes state "at Chub's" when recorded. This band traveled throughout western North Carolina playing at picnics of farmers. He also played with the Bear Creek Ramblers. This band was awarded a certificate from Mars Hill College, North Carolina in 1972 for their efforts to preserve the culture of the Appalachian Mountain Region via the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Minstrel of the Appalachia Festival. Johnny also received several of these certificates between 1972-1981.


Select items from the Johnny Rhymer Music Collection

Audiocassette recording of live instrumental music featuring fiddle and banjo among other instruments. Side A includes songs "Silent Night," "Jingle Bells," and "Blue Christmas." Ulus Commodore “Chub” Parham (1919-1995) was a member of the musical group Farmer's Federation in the 1970s.
Friday Night at Chub's

Audiocassette recording of live instrumental music featuring fiddle, banjo and accordion among other instruments. Speaking, laughter and singing can also be heard in the background. Side A includes songs such as "Easter Parade." Ulus Commodore “Chub” Parham (1919-1995) was a member of the musical group Farmer's Federation in the 1970s.

Audiocassette recording of Bear Creek Ramblers, an old-time string band from Buncombe County, North Carolina. Prominent instruments include fiddle and banjo. Side B includes songs such as "Rose of San Antone" and "Orange Blossom Special."

Audiocassette recording of Claude Boone and family members singing with guitar. Side A includes songs such as "We are Going Down the Valley," "Jesus Hold My Hand," and "Reunion in Heaven" among others. Side B includes songs such as "I Saw the Light," "How Great Thou Art," and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" among others.

Recording of Claude and Jim Boone singing with guitar. Side A includes songs such as "Wedding Bells Will Never Ring For Me," "Talkin' to the Wrong Man," and "Have You Come to Say Goodbye." Side B includes songs such as "T For Texas," "Hesitation Blues," and "Oh, Louise" among others.

Gene Boone records himself singing and playing instruments for his sister, Hazel Rhymer, and her husband, Johnny Rhymer. The first minute of the recording features Gene Boone greeting Hazel, reminiscing about Farmer's Federation picnics, describing the instruments he uses in recordings, and providing music for Bob Ponder's music store in Fletcher, North Carolina and Country Earl's restaurant in Glenville, North Carolina. Side A includes songs such as "Burglar Man" and "Cold, Cold Heart." Side B includes a medley of patriotic and military songs and songs such as "Hillbilly Fever" and "Why Don't You Haul Off And Get Religion" among others.

Hazel Rhymer's audiocassette recording of music for Suzanne Lane with a personal message at the beginning of Side A as well as songs such as "Orange Blossom Special" and Hazel singing songs such as "Molasses," "Sweet Bunch of Daisies," "I Had But Fifty Cents," and "Burglar Man" among others. Side B begins with Hazel singing a song she learned from her grandmother called "Gentlemen and Ladies" which is followed by a number of instrumental tunes.

Audiocassette recording of live, mainly instrumental music featuring fiddle, banjo, accordion and other instruments. Musicians tuning instruments as well as singing, speaking and laughter can also be heard in the recording. Side A includes tunes such as "Dusty's Hornpipe." Johnny Rhymer (1920-2001) sang and played fiddle with Farmer's Federation with Chub Parham, Phil Rhymer and Louie Taylor in the 1970s. He also played with the Bear Creek Ramblers.

Recording of the Rambling Mountaineers on Side A including songs such as "Just a Rose Will Do" and "God Put a Rainbow in the Clouds." Side B includes live recording of other singers performing songs such as "Old Shep."

At age 80, Hazel Rhymer records herself singing songs for Thelma and providing context for songs, many of which are traditional ballads.

Side A includes songs such as "Poor Widow," "The Farmer and His Wife" and the "Madison County Crew" which she reminisces about learning from her grandmother in Madison County, North Carolina and performing in New York City in the early 1940s. Her husband, Johnny Rhymer, plays "Rutland's Reel" and "Liberty," with Phil Rhymer playing banjo. Hazel Rhymer also sings ballads she learned from Mrs. McClure including "My Horses Ain't Hungry," "Black Jack Davy," and "Old Man From the North Country."

Side B includes Hazel Rhymer singing songs such as "Sweet Bunch of Daisies," "Moonlight on the River Colorado," "That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine," "Molasses," and "Old-Age Pension Check." She also recounts a story about a young Johnny Rhymer being scared about lights in the woods, a story about singing at Farmer's Federation picnics, and another about when social security was introduced under President Roosevelt.

Hazel Rhymer records herself singing songs such as "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," "Waiting for a Train," and "My Mary" among others. She mentions that some songs are in the Smithsonian Institution. Side B includes her singing "Barbara Allen," "That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine," and "South of the Border" among other songs.
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