John Cowan Hartford (December 30, 1937 – June 4, 2001) was an
American folk,
country and
bluegrass composer and musician known for his mastery of the
fiddle and
banjo, as well as for his witty lyrics, unique vocal style, and extensive knowledge of
Mississippi River lore. Hartford performed with a variety of ensembles throughout his career, and is perhaps best known for his solo performances where he would interchange the guitar, banjo, and fiddle from song to song. He also invented his own shuffle tap dance move, and
clogged on an amplified piece of plywood while he played and sang.