Marion Sumner born 28 March 1920

Marion Sumner ( 28 March 1920, Florida, USA - 17 August 1997, USA) known as the “Fiddle King of The South,” or “Fiddling Marion” was an influential country and bluegrass fiddler who 
performed with some of country music’s legends such as Roy Acuff, Kitty Wells and Don Gibson.

Raised in Vicco, Kentucky, which is where his family moved when he was a baby, Sumner learned to play the violin as a child.  He played with the Payroll Boys and made his radio debut in 1936 at Station WCPO, in Cincinatti, playing with the Harvey Brothers. He won a fiddle contest during the 1937 Black Gold Festival in Hazrad and was later picked up by the bands Cousin Emmy and the Johnny & Jack Band. During World War II worked with Molly O’Day, Lynn Davis, Eddie Hill, Johnnie Wright and others and soon became known as the ‘Fiddle King of the South’.

Playing with flair and enthusiasm, Sumner lived up to his title and developed a following among fans of traditional country music. Among his recording sessions with other artists are those with country singers Preston Ward and Don Gibson and with banjo player Lee Sexton. On another date he was joined by banjo player Freddie Campbell, guitarist and vocalist Sonny Houston, and bass player Phil Sexton. He also recorded duo fiddle sets with Jesse McReynolds (of Jim And Jesse).

Sumner’s first professional recording “My Eyes Are Still Dry” with Preston Ward, was released by King Records in 1947. He was said to have been able to play anything on a fiddle, from bluegrass to country, but he had a passion for Western swing.

Marion and his wife 1985

He travelled extensively working the nightclub circuits of Cincinnati, Columbus and Knoxville but recorded very little.

Records by Sumner are hard to find, but perhaps his best-known song is ‘Lost Indian’, which appears on a number of compilations of recordings by similar artists.

He died at his Kentucky home from heart problems 17 August 1997 (age 77).

Marion Sumner’s influence as a fiddler upon others of his generation was notable, particularly on Kenny Baker, who won wide acclaim as a sideman for Bill Monroe over a long period.

  

(Edited from AllMusic, minuteoflistening.org & Kentucky media obit)

Here’s Appalshop Archive  containing nearly 45 minutes of  early Headwaters Television Collection outtakes, raw footage: Jack Wright as St. Nick; studio performances by Marion Sumner, Dennis Breeding, Nick Stump, and Jack Wright; Wright interviews Sumner and Breeding from 1980.