Lowe Stokes

Lowe Stokes (1898—1983) was an American old-time musician and fiddler. He was a member of the famous Georgia string band Skillet Lickers and played a key role in the development of their sound.

Many credit Stokes for inspiring the Charlie Daniels' country hit "The Devil Went Down To Georgia".

Lowe Stokes was born Marcus Lowell Stokes in Ellijay, Georgia, on May 28, 1898, to Jacob M. Stokes (1848–1936). He had at least three siblings—John Thomas Stokes (1886–1950), Emma J Stokes Quick (1887–1954), and Coleman L. Stokes (1900–1976).

Stokes learned to play fiddle from his father and older brother.

In 1922, Stokes moved to Atlanta from Cartersville, Georgia, where he became friends with guitarist T. M. "Bully" Brewer. Brewer wanted to learn the fiddle and offered Stokes a place to stay at his home in exchange for fiddle lessons.

Stokes regularly participated in Georgia fiddler competitions. In 1924, he won the Georgia Old-Time Fiddlers' Convention, defeating the veteran Georgia filler Fiddlin' John Carson.

One of his mentors was the Alabama fiddler Joe Lee, from whom he learned the famous fiddle tune "Katy Hill" (aka "Sally Johnson"). "Katy Hill" became Stokes' signature tune that he often played at fiddler's conventions in Atlanta and won several prizes. In 1928, he recorded "Katy Hill" with Riley Puckett and Fate Norris(Columbia Records – 15620-D).

Around that time, Stokes became friends with a Georgia fiddler Clayton McMichen, and formed a lasting personal and professional relationship. The two regularly played and toured together and made a few recordings. They also made appearances on Atlanta's WSB radio.

In late 1927, Stokes played with McMichen's band Melody Men and made many recordings on Columbia:

• When you and I were young, Maggie
• Silver threads among the gold
• My Carolina home
• Aloha oe
• The Missouri waltz
• Darling Nellie Gray
• Fifty years ago

In 1928, Stokes joined Gid Tanner's Skillet Lickers as the third fiddle, replacing the current fiddler Bert Layne. Other members of the group were: Riley Puckett, Clayton McMichen, Fate Norris, Hoke Rice, Arthur Tanner, and Hoyt "Slim" Bryant. They made many recordings on Columbia until 1931 when the group disbanded.

Selected recordings with Skillet Lickers:

• November 1927: Johnson's old gray mule
• April 1928: Hen cackle
• April 1928: Cumberland Gap
• April 1928: Cotton-eyed Joe
• October 1928: Liberty
• October 1928: Nancy Rollin
• October 1928: Old Dan Tucker
• October 1928: Devilish Mary
• October 1928: Pretty little widow
• April 1929: Mississippi sawyer
• April 1929: It ain't gonna rain no mo'
• April 1929: Going on downtown
• April 1929: Flatwoods
• October 1929: Rocky pallet
• October 1929: Soldier's joy
• October 1929: Rock that cradle, Lucy
• October 1929: There'll be a hot time in the old town tonight
• April 1930: Leather breeches
• April 1930: New Arkansas traveller
• April 1930: Georgia Wagner
• October 1931: Miss McLeod's reel
• October 1931: Molly put the kettle on
• October 1931: McMichen's breakdown

In the late 1920s, Stokes joined another Georgia string band The Hometown Boyswith Charles Whitten (fiddle), Ted Hawkins (mandolin), and guitarists Mike Whittenand Boss Hawkins (Ted Hawkins' brother).

Stokes also led his own band, the North Georgians, and made numerous recordings on Columbia Records.

Selected North Georgians recordings:

• October 1927: Homebrew rag
• October 1927: Unexplained blues
• October 1928: Wave that frame
• October 1928: Take me to the land of jazz
• April 1929: San Antonio
• April 1929: She's got rings on her fingers
• December 1930: You gotta see your mama every night
• December 1930: Pray for the lights to go out
• December 1930: Row, row, row

In addition to the Skillet Lickers, Stokes also worked with John Dilleshaw in his band Seven Foot Dilly and His Dill Pickles and recorded "A Bootlegger's Joint in Atlanta", "Bibb County Hoe Down", and "Kenesaw Mountain Rag". In November 1930, he was with Swamp Roosters (Bert Layne and Hoke Rice) and recorded "Citaco" and "Swamp Rag Cat". He also played with fiddler A. A. Gray.

In 1930, on one of the Skillet Lickers tours, Stokes was involved in a shootout and had to have his hand amputated. Fellow musician Bert Layne, who was working as a mechanic at the time, constructed a prosthesis that allowed Stokes to play the fiddle again.

After Skillet Lickers disbanded, Stokes partially retired from music and pursued a regular job until his pension. However, he continued to perform for a long time. In 1981, two years before his death, he was given a new fiddle at Christmas and began to play again. In 1982, he reunited with some of his old companions from the 1920s and performed for the last time at the Brandywine Mountain Music Convention.

Stokes was married to Hazel Lorraine Harper Martin Stokes (1915–1991).

Stokes died in Mayes County, Oklahoma, on July 14, 1983, at age 85.

Singles

Albums

• 2000: Lowe Stokes, Vol.1: 1927–1930