* Wild Boys of Newmarket CD 

accompanies the Fiddler's Almanac

and can also be purchased separately - $12.95

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*This CD was formerly named “Saturday Night Fiddler,” in 2000 and contained 13 solo fiddle tunes by Ryan Thomson. These 13 tunes were kept and 19 more tunes by Ryan were added on, along with guitar accompaniment by Ryan’s son Brennish.

November 16, 2000

Loved the CD. Because we listen to Bluegrass every Saturday night after Prairie Home Companion, our son was given the Saturday Night Fiddler, which he thought was very special. George got the cajun and I, got Duets...how much more perfect could it have been. Thank you so much!     

P.

On a personal note, I have befriended a classical violin teacher here in Switzerland who is giving me free lessons now so that I can learn a few "proper techniques". In turn, I am showing her how to improvise, some fiddling bowing action, and playing rhythm guitar while she tries her hand at country fiddling. It is a great arrangement.Yesterday I let her hear my copy of your solo fiddling CD and she absolutely loved it. 

I also lent her my copy of the Fiddler's Almanac, which she loves, and I will be giving her the second copy I bought from you as a gift when I return to Europe in December. I just wanted to say thanks for helping me bring a little of the good old music back to Europe. Wait till they hear the banjo in January. I am bringing it back with me on the plane as well. With the help of your CD and book, I should be clawhammering in no time!

Yours Truly,

J. C.

Switzerland

In 1980 Ryan Thomson taught fiddle in his Newmarket home and played for dances in the Newmarket town hall with the Last Chance String Band. One afternoon he decided to record some favorite tunes in his living room. He informally taped a dozen tunes solo, one by one. Over the next couple of days he filled up a reel of tape with more tunes and then packed the box away.

A few years later Ryan developed a permanent medical condition called Focal Dystonia. It affected Ryan’s right shoulder so that he could no longer bow his fiddle. Being a determined fellow, he taught himself the art of left handed fiddling. In 1996 his son Brennish was born and grew up in their music filled Newmarket home.  At age 2 he began playing fiddle on a 1/32 size violin. He later learned guitar. Father and son began performing together.

Ryan revisited his 1980 recording in 2020. It was like greeting an old right handed friend. The tunes had good energy and life to them and so Dad asked Brennish to add guitar back up. It came out well. Their musical friend and neighbor, Bruce MacIntyre, had once addressed the Thomsons as the “Wild boys of Newmarket,” in an email. “What a catchy name for our father and son album,” they thought.

The story behind this CD: