Johnny Gimble - Celebrating with Friends - LP

Born in Tyler, Texas in 1926, Johnny Gimble is a major name in country music and Western swing. His talents on the fiddle earned him an extensive career that would land him credits on hundreds of records and last him his entire life. In a full career, this is a one-of-a-kind album.

Johnny’s nimble yet warm approach to the fiddle is unparalleled and his keen talents as an improviser were indispensable to his role as a sideman and soloist for countless acts. This included work with artists as major and versatile as Marty Robbins, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, Connie Smith, Loretta Lynn, Chet Atkins and many more, with appearances on classic Western swing, country and rock records as well as in film and TV. While his recordings as a bandleader were relatively numbered, he managed to record a select few excellent albums for CMH in his time, beginning in 1980 with the retrospective collection Still Swingin’.

In 2010, at age 83, Johnny Gimble and CMH recorded the very special album Celebrating with Friends. The album features several of Gimble’s original songs and a few favorite selections from his time in country music. Warmly captured in hi-fidelity with crystal clarity, Celebrating with Friends boasts an all-star cast of musicians, including appearances by such major names as Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and A Prairie Home Companion’s Garrison Keillor.

This unique release was Gimble’s final album, showing that he carried his spirit for music with him late into life. It’s hard to listen to these joyous recordings and not crack a smile. We’re so proud to be able to share this celebration with you once again today.