Fiddlers of Weiser
  • Fiddlers
  • 19th century
  • 20th century
    • 50s & 60s Champions
    • 70s & 80s Champions
    • 90s & 2000s Champions
    • Blaine Stubblefield
    • Otis Howard
    • Dave Frisbee
    • Byron Berline
    • Mark O’Connor
    • Barbara Lamb
    • Megan Lynch Chowning
  • 21st CENTURY
    • Tashina and Tristan Clarridge

Dave Frisbee

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​Dave Frisbee 
Oct. 17, 1917 – Jan. 31, 2006


Dave came with his family to Cascade, Idaho in 1911 from Hog Creek, Missouri. He became a champion fiddler and was highly sought as rhythm guitarist by fiddle contestants. He was an important early figure in the Weiser contest and Idaho old time fiddling. ​
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Dave is shown here at the Clear Creek logging camp around 1920 with his father Jesse and sister Irene. Dave learned Irish fiddle tunes from hearing his father whistle. The family moved to Emmett after a logging accident disabled Jesse for life. ​



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This photo of Dave Frisbee around age 18 (ca. 1935) was taken while he was travelling around southwest Idaho playing rhythm guitar and fiddle. As was the case for Otis, old time music helped Dave break out of the cycle of poverty.


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​Dave became a fighter and bomber pilot in World War II, despite his limited education. He played fiddle on the radio when not flying, which he said helped him avoid many inspections and demerits! He and his wife Norma are shown here around 1945 with their son Rue
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Like Otis Howard, Dave Frisbee came to Idaho in a very poor family. He was eight years old before he owned a pair of shoes. Dave (at left) is shown below at the fruit orchard he developed in Emmett.
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Dave Frisbee is shown here competing in the early 1970s at the Weiser National Old Time Fiddle contest. The accompanists are Lyle Powell (guitar) and Cheryl Wanzer (piano). ​
Dave Frisbee died on January 31, 2006 and was buried in the Emmett cemetery. Dave selected all of the music that was to be played at his funeral and wake: recordings of his fiddling made over the course of his life.

​Three of Dave Frisbee’s Favorite Fiddle Tunes


Kansas City Kitty 
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By Edgar Leslie and Walter Donaldson (1929); Recorded by Jimmy Dorsey and many other

​Codfish Ball 
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By Lew Pollack and Sydney Mitchell (1936); Recorded by Shirley Temple

​Is It True What They Say About Dixie 
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By Calser-Lerner-Marks (1936); Recorded by Al Jolson and many others

The Otis Howard/Dave Frisbee Recordings 

In January, 1963 at his home in Emmett, Dave Frisbee made a reel to reel recording of Otis Howard playing dozens of fiddle tunes. The recording includes a number of original schottisches, waltzes and hoedowns written by Otis. Dave backed up Otis on rhythm guitar. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive set of recordings ever made of a true early Idaho Old Time Fiddler. Gary Eller and Rue Frisbee recently digitized this tape and issued a CD containing 29 fiddle tracks.
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This CD contains 29 fiddle tunes played in 1963 by Otis Howard with guitar backup by Dave Frisbee.


Includes a booklet with photos and text about the lives of Otis and Dave. This work is part of the Idaho Songs Project described at
sites.google.com/view/idaho-songs/early-idaho-songs.


Slideshow designed by Gary Eller 
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Idaho Songs Project

Gary Eller
Nampa, Idaho
[email protected]
208-442-8844

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Slim Chance Music

Copyright 2019

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  • Fiddlers
  • 19th century
  • 20th century
    • 50s & 60s Champions
    • 70s & 80s Champions
    • 90s & 2000s Champions
    • Blaine Stubblefield
    • Otis Howard
    • Dave Frisbee
    • Byron Berline
    • Mark O’Connor
    • Barbara Lamb
    • Megan Lynch Chowning
  • 21st CENTURY
    • Tashina and Tristan Clarridge