Tennessee Two-Step

Kind of Tune
set tune

Tennessee Two-Step is widely played among older-generation fiddlers across the Island. Long notes are sometimes telescoped, and consequently some versions may vary from the standard 16-bar per turn format.

Of special note: accompaniment in Sidney Baglole's version is provided by Margaret Ross MacKinnon on pump organ. Pump organ was once the accompaniment instrument of choice on the Island and gave the music a highly distinctive sound.

This tune is played across the Canadian Maritimes, but I have found no information concerning its origin, nor anything concerning its publishing and recording histories.

Notation for this tune as played by Johnny Morrissey is in Fiddle Music of Prince Edward Island.

Tune Selections

Tennessee Two-Step Musician: Sidney Baglole, Recordist: Ken Perlman Accompanied by: Margaret Ross MacKinnon, pump organ West Prince info
Tennessee Two-Step / Five Minutes More Musician: Merlin Quinn, Recordist: Ken Perlman Accompanied by: John Webster, gtr Central Kings info
Tennessee Two-Step Musician: Fenner Myers, Recordist: Ken Perlman Accompanied by: Jim Dobson, gtr; Ken Perlman, bjo Western Queens info
Tennessee Two-Step Musician: Johnny Morrissey, Recordist: Ken Perlman Accompanied by: Margaret Ross MacKinnon, pno Eastern Queens info