My Daily Smile

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Ten Questions with Jana Jae: Hee-Haw’s “Girl With the Magic Blue Fiddle”

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Jana Jae – “The girl with the magic blue fiddle”

Living (and loving) Life

Do you happen to enjoy classic country music?

If so, you’re surely familiar with Jana Jae, the award-winning musician whose superb mastery of the fiddle prompted country music icon Buck Owens to invite her to join his band as the very first female Buckaroo.

Jana performed with Buck and many other top-tier singers and musicians over the years, most notably as a member of the cast of the ultra-popular Country music variety show Hee-Haw.

Never one to sit idle while the world passes her by, Jana is still hard at work playing her iconic blue fiddle in concerts both here in the U.S. and all around the world.

And when time permits she also loves teaching and mentoring aspiring musicians of all ages.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Jana about her long and successful career and her abounding love of music.

Here are ten questions and answers with Jana Jae…

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Video: Dan Seals sings “One Friend”

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Image credit: AllMusic.com

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One of my favorite singers in my younger years was a gentleman by the name of Dan Seals.

Although Dan’s music transitioned through several different genres over the course of his career, it was always upbeat and, well…just plain good.

His songs tend to tell stories that resonate with most every listener and his smooth delivery brings every word to life.

Sadly, Dan’s life and career were cut short when he passed away at 61 after a two-year bout with cancer, but his music will live on in the hearts and minds of his many fans.

The short video below features my favorite Dan Seals recording. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.  [Read more…]

Video: Jana Jae fiddling the timeless classic “Orange Blossom Special” (again)

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Image credit: JanaJae.com

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Jana Jae has been my favorite fiddler/violinist (actually, make that my favorite musician) for decades now.

I have featured this amazing lady’s performances on my blogs and in my newsletters several times in the past and she was even kind enough to indulge my request for a brief interview.

Long time readers will remember this video of Jana performing “Orange Blossom Special” during an impromptu session with Dan Gryder. Today’s video features her playing that same fiddle classic again, this time accompanied by a full band.  [Read more…]

Video: “Lewis & Clark” – Another masterful performance by Tommy Emmanuel

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If you really enjoy acoustic music you’re no doubt familiar with the works of Tommy Emmanuel, the Australian guitar maestro who consistently fills concert halls and headlines music festivals all around the world.

I have featured Tommy’s music several times on My Daily Smile and those posts generated tons of positive feedback. No one has mastered the instrument better and he always puts on a fantastic show.  [Read more…]

Video: Marty Stuart fiddling the “Orange Blossom Special” (at 13 years old)

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Most fans of Country and Bluegrass music know Marty Stuart as a master musician who excels on the guitar and mandolin, but truth be told he can play most anything with strings on it.

I was checking some videos last night when I happened upon one featuring Marty playing the timeless fiddle classic “Orange Blossom Special” on – you guessed it – a fiddle.

[Read more…]