RAYMOND FAIRCHILD

• From Maggie Valley, North Carolina.
• Called “King of the Smoky Mountain Banjo.”
• Born on an Indian reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina.
• Performed regularly at the Maggie Valley Opry House—a local country music performing arts center.
• Known for his speed on the banjo. “The older I get, the faster I get.”
• Known for his deadpan demeanor—he rarely ever smiled on stage.
• Once received six standing ovations (in one appearance) at the Grand Ole Opry.
• 1967-1975, performed with the Maggie Valley Boys.
• 1975-1991, worked with the Crowe Brothers (who started with the Maggie Valley Boys, then in 1978 changed the name to Raymond Fairchild and the Crowe Brothers.)
• Formed the new Maggie Valley Boys, including his son Zane on guitar.
• Designed the Cox/Fairchild banjo for the Cox banjo company.
• 2017, lent his name (and family recipe) to a line of flavored moonshine whiskeys called “Raymond Fairchild White Lightning,” now legally produced by the Elevated Mountain Distillery in Maggie Valley, North Carolina.
• 2019, died at the age of 80.

RECOMMENDED:

• King of the Smoky Mountain Banjo Players (Rural Rhythm, 2015)
• Bluegrass Banjo Collection: Best of 18 Rural Rhythm Classics (Rural Rhythm, 2004)
• 31 Banjo Favorites (Rural Rhythm, 1997)