Chubby Collier with Mac Wiseman, ca. fall 1952. Left to right: Chubby Collier, Mac Wiseman, Jim Williams and Wayne Brown. Photo originally printed in the February 1970 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited. // Photo courtesy of Pete Kuykendall.Chubby Collier with Mac Wiseman, ca. fall 1952. Left to right: Chubby Collier, Mac Wiseman, Jim Williams and Wayne Brown. Photo originally printed in the February 1970 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited. // Photo courtesy of Pete Kuykendall.
Notes & Queries – June 2024
Q: Chubby Collier played some awesome hardcore fiddle on several Charlie Bailey songs that I like extremely well. I believe he was from far southwest Virginia. I wonder if he recorded on more songs; I can’t think of any. Can you come up with anything about him? I’d love to learn as much as I can about him. He’s way over looked. Thanks. Jerry Steinberg, Salem, Virginia
A: Ralph Bramlett “Chubby” Collier (December 12, 1928 - November 12, 1998) was known primarily as a fiddler but was adept on mandolin and banjo as well. He was a native of Lee County, Virginia, which is located in the extreme southwestern corner of the state, near its convergence with Tennessee and Kentucky.
Among Collier’s first professional work was a 1947 stint with Curly King and the Tennessee Hilltoppers, who were featured with a program on WCYB in Bristol, Virginia. While in Bristol, he resided at Lou Smith’s boarding house. The home was located a short distance from the radio station and was hom
