Artist: Arthur Smith & Don Reno
Author: Arthur Smith
Label: MGM
Year: 1955
Two dueling 5-string banjos recorded in Charlotte, NC. Don Reno was the banjo virtuoso who replaced Earl Scruggs in Bill Monroe's band; see also: Guitar Boogie. Similar melody as in a 17th century dance tune by German composer Michael Praetorius.
Covers:
Carl Stary & Brewister Brothers [as Mocking Banjos]
Dillards [the first as Dueling Banjos for Elektra]
José Feliciano [idem]
Eric Weissberg & Steve Mandell [idem, but with banjo and guitar; theme of film Deliverance, crediting Don Reno; top 5 C&W, n°2 US; author Smith sued and won]
Arthur Smith [author, now also as Dueling Banjos (Monument)]
Earl Scruggs [as Dueling Banjos]
Martin Mull [as Dueling Tubas]
Toy Dolls [as Drooling Banjos]
The dueling musicians in the film Deliverance, one guitar playing city slicker/canooist and one retarded hillbilly banjo picker, understood each other so well since their common melody already existed.
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