Uncle Am Stuart

Ambrose Gaines "Uncle Am" Stuart (1853–1926) was an American Old-time fiddle player who gained regional fame in the early 20th century. Born near Morristown, Tennessee, he learned to play the fiddle as a child, influenced by Civil War soldiers and post-Civil War African-American camps. His style blended Civil War tunes with Appalachian folk music. While working as a safe and vault salesman, Stuart became known for his fiddle playing, winning various contests across the Southern Appalachian region.

In 1924, Vocalion Records invited Stuart to New York to record, following the success of Fiddlin' John Carson’s Okeh recordings in 1923. Stuart recorded 14 tracks, including the first known recordings of "Cumberland Gap" and "Forked Deer," as well as early versions of bluegrass staples like "Sallie Gooden" and "Old Liza Jane." These recordings later influenced musicians such as Roy Acuff, who sought to emulate them while learning to play.

In 1925, Stuart competed in a legendary fiddle contest at the Fiddlers' Convention in Mountain City, Tennessee, alongside notable fiddlers like Charlie Bowman, G. B. Grayson, Dudley Vance, and Fiddlin' John Carson. Accounts of the contest’s results vary, with one placing Stuart in third place. His 1924 recordings remained significant in the development of early Country music.