J. E. Mainer

North Carolina fiddler and bluegrass bandleader. Born 20 July 1898, near Weaverville, NC; died 12 June 1971 Father of Carolyn Mainer Wilson, [a3831213] and Glenn Mainer and older brother of Wade Mainer. The Mainers came from a North Carolina mountain family that resided several miles from Asheville before moving near Weaverville, NC. Besides being a fiddler, J. E. was a singer, and played Clawhammer Banjo & Jew’s Harp The two Mainers, [a1684170] and [a1115796] constituted the Mountaineers at the time of their first Bluebird session at Atlanta 6 August 1935. These recordings resulted in 14 fine numbers, but by far the hit of the day was the Mainer rendition of "Maple on the Hill", a Victorian sentimental song to which they put a new tune. J.E. fiddled prominently on that particular piece while Wade and Zeke sang a duet. He stayed active in music until his death in 1971, as he prepared to leave home for a festival appearance in Culpepper, Virginia.