Rube Elrod was a multi-instrumentalist, remembered as Ballard County’s best known old-time fiddler. He developed his unique style of playing from Blind Joe Mangrum and Ed Ewing. Rube was well known throughout West Kentucky for his years performing at picnics, BBQs, churches, family reunions and all kinds of country gatherings. - Nathan Lynn, Local and Family History
Today we remember the late West Kentucky fiddler, Rube Elrod, who died on this day, July 11, in 1981. Rube was a multi-instrumentalist who played organ, mouth harp, dulcimer, and guitar, but was most notable as one of Ballard County’s best known old-time fiddlers. He played with the great Blind Joe Mangrum and was known throughout the Jackson Purchase for his unique style, performing at picnics, BBQs, family reunions and all kinds of country gatherings throughout the region.1
Born December 14, 1899, to William and Mattie Martin Elrod, Rube Rowland Elrod, spent his youth in Ingleside, KY. The community lies in Ballard County only a mile from the McCracken County line. He grew up farming and attended the one room Stones Corner School, camping retreats at Crawford Lake, and community events with his father.
“I guess the first time I realized I wanted to be a musician,” Mr. Elrod said, “was when I was just a little fellow. My daddy would take me to picnics and one day I saw and heard the ‘King of the Waters.’ His name was Ed Ewnis (Ewing) and he was a one-legged, one-eyed, colored man and he could really play a fiddle. He picked the ‘best’ fiddle that ever came up the river and that was why he was called ‘The King of the Waters.”2
According to a 1978 interview with the Paducah Sun, “He (Rube) got his first violin in 1910, when he was just 10 years old. He had heard a southern black man play a violin with the John Hillman Brothers band here and became very interested in what he heard. ‘I got a notion I'd like to play one, too,’ he said. ‘So my father, William Elrod, swapped an old mule for a fiddle.’” Rube spent hours learning the instrument and eventually bought a new fiddle from the Montgomery Ward mail order catalog for $68.00. While much of his life was spent farming as an occupation, fiddling was his passion.3
According to numerous newspapers, he began performing at house parties, appearing at the age of 15 and making $5 at his first paying gig. The La Center Weekly Advance noted, “A crowd of young folks gathered at the home of Fred and Maud Lindsey Saturday night and had music. The music was furnished by Rube Elrod and Ben Campbell with a violin and guitar, and also Herman Wallace brought his phonograph.” Rube was popular at parties, and he developed a following of dancers who would follow him from Bandana, Thebes, and all the small communities in between. making $2.50 a dance and $5 a picnic.4
In his 1976 Kentucky Oral History Commission oral history, Rube states that he learned numerous songs from black West Kentucky string bands, like the Frank Jones Band, Hillman String band, Ed Ewing, and Arthur Chambers, at picnics, BBQs and dances. He also states that he began to play square dances in the 1920s, playing two-steps and waltzes.5
On January 13th, 1926 Rube placed second to his mentor and friend the great Blind Joe Mangrum in the Paducah Henry Ford Old Fiddler’s Contest. But a couple of days later, the Paducah News Democrat, January 16, 1926, states “ELROD DEFEATS BENTON FIDDLERS – KEVIL MAN WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REPRESENT TOWN IN LOUISVILLE. Rube Elrod, of Kevil, was awarded the highest prize at the ‘Henry Ford Old Fiddler’s Contest’ at Benton, although he could not represent that town at the state contest in Louisville. More than fifteen contestants were entered in the contest, and it was declared to be the most spirited contest held within the last twenty years in that place.” Two days later Rube appeared alongside Mangrum and H. C. Randloph at the Foreman Automobile Company in Paducah, where they entertained a large business for several hours on fiddle and mandolin arrangements.6
While we can only speculate on how far Rube could have taken his talents, had he been able to make it to the state contest, he continued to pursue local competitions.
The following year, in 1927, Rube again won the top fiddle prize, traveling to Paducah to compete in the Old Fiddlers Contest at Arcadia School. According to the News Democrat, “’Wild Cat Blues,’ played with all of the pep and rhythm as in the days of our grandfather, from a fiddle in the agile hands of Rube Elrod of Kevil, won Mr. Elrod first prize in the "Old Fiddlers" contest, which was held before a large audience last night in the auditorium of the Arcadia high school. The entire program, which was arranged and presented under the auspices of the Arcadia School Improvement League Circle No. 3, held the interest of the audience until the very last, with all of the numbers bringing much applause.”7
Although Rube competed against his friend and future Grand Ole Opry Star Joe Mangrum throughout the years, Elrod stated that he learned numerous songs from Mangrum in Paducah over as a young man. The two fiddled at Foreman’s Garage when Rube was young, and he spoke fondly of Joe, noting, “he could play some deep notes!” Joe taught him songs like Humoresque, Listen to the Mockingbird, Molly Darlin and Fishers Hornpipe. “I learned a lot watching his fingers move across that old fiddle.”8
As local dances began to fade away, Rube continued to play locally at concerts, picnics, churches, and funerals, while maintaining a career as a farmer. A devote Christian, friend Raymond Lanier noted, “Rube has played in just about every church in this end of the state. Many a night, he and I have been out late at some little church for a musical. It would be colder than it is now and we had to travel by horse and buggy then. You just couldn't talk him into going home when he was playing his fiddle. You still cant!” 9
When asked if he had ever been told it was sacrilegious to play the fiddle Rube responded, “Well I don't see why the devil would want to get a hold of fella playing fiddle, anymore than he would somebody playing any other instrument.”10
During the mid 20th century Rube could be found performing in barn dances at the Paducah Barn Dance, along with halls in Ingleside, Bandana, Kevil, La Center, and all-around West Kentucky, performing alongside local and traveling artist including Grand Ole Opry stars.11
He continued to play his whole life, performing in 16 different states, on radio broadcasts, and television. In October 1977, Rube was told that he had cancer in his lower left arm. Faced with losing his ability to play music, he put off amputation for three years. Rube stated, “Not at my age. Why, it would take everything I have – my music, everything.” During hospital visits he would perform for patients and staff. On April 17, 1980 Rube performed his last public performance with his friend Everett Cummins at La Center Life Care Center. On April 21, 1980, Rube followed his doctor’s advice to amputate.
“I fought it as long as I could, but my family knows when I have to face something I can do it.” Rube stated. “I’ve had a lot of pleasure these last two years. I'm not sorry I waited (to have the operation).” Rube passed away on July 11, 1981, but is still remembered today as one of the best fiddlers to come out of West Kentucky.12
“I got what there was. In my time coming, I took the chance and got all that was coming to me. In these days and times, if I were younger13
To listen to Rube, visit the McCracken County Public Library Historic Digital Collections.
- Nathan Lynn
Citations
1 Rhea, Shirley. “Dapper Fiddle Player Going Strong.” The Advance-Yeoman. March 2, 1978. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1041119042/?match=1.
2 Rhea
3 Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. Year: 1910; Census Place: Magisterial District 1, Ballard, Kentucky; Roll: T624_463; Page: 6a; Enumeration District: 0001; FHL microfilm: 1374476
Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards For Kentucky, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 198
Elrod, Rube. Interview by Doris Elrod. 3 November 1976. 1976OH04.1, Kentucky Oral History Commission, Kentucky Historical Society, McCracken County Public Library, https://digitalcollections.mclib.net/luna/servlet/s/21a2rg . Accessed 08 July 2025.
“Camp at Lake Crawford.” The Paducah Sun, July 27, 1914, Vol. 38, No. 23 edition. https://paducahsun.newspapers.com/image/501660754/?match=1&clipping_id=new.
Rhea
Rains, Dona. “No Fiddlin’?” The Paducah Sun Highlights. May 12, 1978, Vol. 3 No. 18 edition. https://paducahsun.newspapers.com/image/426313361/.
4 “A Crowd of Young Folks Gathered...” The Weekly Advance. February 4, 1916, Vol. 10, No. 30 edition. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1045087636/.
Rhea
5 Elrod, Rube and Cummins, Everett. Interview by John Marshall. 7 June 1978. 1976OH04.12, Kentucky Oral History Commission, Kentucky Historical Society, McCracken County Public Library, https://digitalcollections.mclib.net/luna/servlet/detail/McCracken~5~5~68~1460:Rube-Rowland-Elrod-&-Everett-Cummin . Accessed 07 July 2025.
6 “Blind Joe Mangum Wins First Place in Fiddlers Meet.” The Paducah Sun, January 14, 1926. https://www.newspapers.com/image/503413789/?match=1&clipping_id=new.
“Elrod Defeats Benton Fiddlers.” The News-Democrat. January 16, 1926, Vol. 49, No. 14 edition. https://paducahsun.newspapers.com/image/503413926/.
7 “Rube Elrod Wins Prize.” The Weekly Advance. April 15, 1927, Vol. 21 No. 33 edition. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1045073137/?match=1&terms=%22Rube%20Elrod%22.
8 Elrod
Rhea
9 Rhea
10 Elrod
11 “First Farm Bureau Picnic of Ballard County Was a Huge Success.” The Weekly Advance, July 23, 1937, Vol. 32, No. 47 edition. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1045082236/?match=1&clipping_id=new.
12 Rains, 1978
Rains, Dona. “Elrod Still a ‘fiddler,’ Only Now It’s on Tape.” The Paducah Sun Highlights, May 2, 1980, Vol. 5, No. 18 edition. https://www.newspapers.com/image/426285521/?match=1&clipping_id=new.
“La Center.” The Advance-Yeoman. April 17, 1980. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1041004648/?match=1&terms=rube%20elrod%20fiddle.
Rhea
13 Rains