Breaking up Christmas

The classic version of Breaking Up Christmas in A. Tommy Jarrell fiddle, Chester McMillian guitar, Ray Chatfield banjo, and others. This 1983 video was shot in Mount Airy NC by the crew of Alan Lomax. It is part of a documentary called American Patchwork- Appalachian Journey [dvd at amazon].

Key of A for fretless banjo and cross tune fiddle (AEAE).

  • The MP3 file attached to the bottom of the page contains a recording of Camp Creek Boys - Kyle Creed on banjo, Fred Cockerham on fiddle. Slightly different than Tommy Jarrell's version, it is another classic.
  • Big jam in Netherlands [utoob]. This is long and fun!
  • Great fiddling and fast by Striped Pig String Band [utoob] on stage.
  • Jam at Clifftop 2012 [utoob] with Paul Brown fiddle, Rafe Stefanini banjo, Chester McMillian guitar (also in the Tommy Jarrell video). Paul Brown's NPR documentary called Breaking up Christmas is available on CD.
  • Tom Collins solo fretless banjo in the attic [utoob].
  • Banjo + fiddle at a bookstore in NC [utoob]
  • Bruce Molsky solo fiddle [utoob] and with the Mountain Drifters [utoob] and with Mike Seeger [utoob]
  • NTAD solo fiddle [utoob]
  • Old Crow Medicine Show played it fast in 2005 [utoob non-video]
  • Benton Flippen [utoob] (not his best)
  • Mark Ralston's instructional video for fiddle+banjo [utoob].
  • Horseflies [utoob] with artsy video. Mesmerizing.
  • Slow solo lesson by Sophie Enloe from Hopping Jenny [utoob].
  • Hokey family video. Child abuse! Don't watch this one.
  • Erynn Marshall instructional video [utoob]. Watch this one.
  • Tara Nevins and Rose Sinclair [utoob].