Although oldtime guitar is arguably one of the most underrated and overlooked instruments in the tradition, Cameron Knowler is quick to point out that strong, engaging back-up is crucial to the “nutrition” of any fiddle tune. 

Cameron uses his experience as a bluegrass and jazz guitarist as a foundation for how he approaches his role as an oldtime musician. Citing influences such as Riley Puckett, Norman Blake, and Maybell Carter, Cameron takes a melodic, thoughtful guitar approach, pulling in driving melody lines to complement and add texture to fiddle tunes. He self-released his debut album “Honey Off a Rock” in April of 2019. 

Cameron discusses the role flatpicking and melodic-style guitar can have in oldtime. 

Cameron believes guitar is crucial to contributing to the overall texture of a tune.

Cameron is in the process of penning an instructional book exploring the political disparity of melodic guitar in bluegrass and oldtime music. His record can be downloaded on Bandcamp.