"Looking at Tommy's life through old-time back to the early 1960's, of all the books I have read, this book is one of the most concise accounts of those days, and Tommy was at the center of it all! . In so many ways this book is as much a biography of the continuation, growth and transformation of the old-time fiddle tradition as it moved from the hands of one generation to another and has influenced several generations since. Take time to read and savor this book, giving it the attention it deserves in both describing this wonderful musician and his life through old-time music and beyond."-- Banjo Newsletter ; "Stern's carefully researched thoroughly annotated, intensely informative book is a study of Thompson's intellect and temperament"-- Old Time Herald.