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 Root Beer White Lightning,” 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)