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Master fiddler Ralph Blizard is one of the premier traditional musicians playing today, appreciated by old-time music enthusiasts for his unique and beautiful 'Southern Appalachian Longbow' fiddle style. On Southern Ramble he explores a wide range of southern old-time music -- from traditional fiddle tunes and early country songs to original compositions. Born in 1918 in Kingsport, Tennessee, Ralph Blizard has been playing old-time music as long as he can remember. Among his early influences are some of the most popular traditional musicians in the East Tennessee/Southwest Virginia region, including fiddlers John Dykes, Cowan Powers, Charlie Bowman and Dudley Vance, singers like the Carter Family, Doc Addington and Carl McConnell and others. Blizard and the New Southern Ramblers, have been playing together since 1982. They've won numerous contests throughout the Southeast and have made personal appearances throughout the country from Florida to Alaska. Ralph has a great love of spreading his knowledge and enthusiasm for traditional music and he and his band have been featured at workshops throughout the country. They continue to travel and perform their exciting brand of traditional Appalachian music.