So who is your favorite professional fiddle player nowadays? Just to put all your fears to rest...Bobby Hicks is DEFINITELY my favorite overall fiddler of all time. I would definitely have to say that Ron Stewart is my favorite for hard-drivin' bluegrass (and classic country style) fiddle whereas Aubrey Haynie would have to be my favorite for smooth, instrumental fiddle work. Jim Van Cleve is a monster fiddle player, speed, accuracy, and very imaginative, but kind of hangs over the edge a lot... Andy Leftwich is another of my favorites. I like anything he plays, and he can hammer out drivin' fiddle tunes or jazz fiddle just as easily. Hunter Berry is okay, but his style is a little to scratchy/choppy for me. Then there's Alison Krauss, who has a very unique style that I like...almost a mix between celtic/appalachian/classic/folk...but I like it very much. Then there's Michael Cleveland who has a lot of the old-timey sound that suites bluegrass so well, but can also play very progressively.
Don't get me wrong, I couln't TOUCH any of these guys with a 100' pole when it comes to skill on the fiddle; every one of them are phenomenally talented and well-versed artists. These are just my opinions and likes/dislikes when it comes to style.
Let me know what you guys think?
Jim Van Cleeve with Mtn. Heart is wonderful. Just a lot of energy. When I am feeling funky I will go with Vasar Clements. I have to be feeling very funky. A fiddle player that is overlooked because he is known for his mandolin work is Sam Bush. Some of those tracks from the New Grass Revival are just amazing.
Of course my favorite is Stephen Hudson.
(Please make the check out to Michael Branch)