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Dave Ferguson Biography

dave-ferguson
  • Born:
  • Years Active: 1970s
  • Member of: Country Gazette
  • Genre: R & B

This Texas fiddler got his first instrument for his tenth birthday, and he immediately began studying both classical technique and folk styles, participating in weekend fiddle contests, at first as a gawking spectator and later as a player causing the spectators to gawk. He continued to mix this with classical training under the guidance of violinists Margaret Brooks and George Carson. In high school, in 1965, bluegrass finally got a bit of an edge and Dave Ferguson joined his first picking group. After graduation, he continued to be involved with music. He was stationed in Tacoma, WA, during three years of army life, and played in various Broadway shows as members of a pit band that also included players from the Olympia Symphony. He returned to Fort Worth and the Texas music scene after the army stint was up, and right away was in demand as a bluegrass player. From 1973 to 1975 he was a member of the Stone Mountain Boys with Eddie Shelton, Mitchell Land, Bob Davis, Tootie Williams, and others. Next he was a member of the Changing Tymes with several of the same players plus Ken Graham and George Anderson. Then an incredible honor came Ferguson's way as he was asked to replace hotshot fiddler Byron Berline in the prominent progressive bluegrass group Country Gazette. Touring with this group brought Ferguson national attention, including the chance to record as a leader with such albums as as the 1976 Somewhere Over the Rainbow on the Ridge Runner label. He also published occasional columns in old-time music or bluegrass specialty magazines on topics such as banjo transcriptions of fiddle solos. With the Country Gazette he appeared on several albums, touring off and on until the group disbanded in the '80s. After that time he kept a fairly low profile. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi

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