Bluegrass Music's First Child Prodigy, Mark O'Connor - Guitar video free download
Mark O'Connor Guitar Playlist: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0C74898C40D6A7EA
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Mark O'Connor - Guitar "Dixie Breakdown" arr. M. O'Connor
Final round of the 1975 National Guitar Flatpicking Championships, Winfield, KS
Accompanied by Greg Morton, guitar
Bluegrass Music's First Child Prodigy, Mark O'Connor - Guitar
An official definition of child prodigy:
"A child prodigy or Wunderkind is someone who, at an early age, develops one or more skills at a level far beyond the norm for their age. A prodigy has to be a child, or at least younger than 18 years, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding field of endeavour."
Mark O'Connor Becomes the Youngest Champion in History Just One Month After His 14th Birthday.
In 1975 after winning the National Guitar Flatpicking Championships with this prodigious performance at age 14, adjudicated by Doc Watson, Norman Blake and Dan Crary, a new rule was instituted that required "contestant #23" Mark O'Connor to sit out the following year from the competition.
In 1977, a 16 year-old O'Connor returned to Winfield, Kansas to win the National
Guitar Flatpicking Championships for a 2nd time. Then what became known as the
"Mark O'Connor Rule" was instituted, banning him from the competition for 5
years henceforth.
Track can be heard on Mark O'Connor's "Pickin' in the Wind" album and "Retrospective" album - 1975.
http://www.markoconnor.com
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Comments
9 years ago
xsited1
Doesn't that seem unfair that they banned Mark O'Connor from the competition because he was too good?9 years ago
bluegrassmovie12
Mark O'Connor's talents are indeed prodigious but the "first' child prodigy of bluegrass has to be Earl Scruggs.9 years ago
Tracy3006
Thanks for the memory. I was at the Walnut Valley Bluegrass Festival in Winfield, Kansas that year and watched this performance. What a year for flatpickers that year was! I also still have the album you did that has this recording on it. It was part of your 1st prize winnings, if I remember right. That, some cash and a Mossman guitar. Also the same year, that Doc Watson, Norman Blake and Dan Crary had that most memorable jam on stage that prompted them to repeat it at other festivals. Yep! A great year for flatpickers and listerners! Thanks, Mark!9 years ago
bluegrassmovie12
Could that be Tony Rice, albeit a very young Tony Rice, looking on in awe at .59 seconds in the video?9 years ago
Mark O'Connor
"Mark I just wanted to tell you that I am still amazed at your rendition of Dixie Breakdown at Winfield 1975. I was there in the audience when you played that day. I remember I ran down to get a closer look of you when you were leaving and was totally amazed that a 14-year-old could play such genius music. You are truly a national treasure and one of the most talented people I have ever seen in the music field. Having been in Winfield in 1975 when you played I feel a connection to you and hope that you will continue your good works. You are truly a marvelous inspiration!" -Randy Key9 years ago
Haley Sabai
......o.k folks calm down! great!9 years ago
cruisinthefifties
I like it but it's not my idea of 'pure' Bluegrass at all! (I'm a purest.) Tooo many digressions into sub-dominates and minors.9 years ago
Broadfieldpoint
Ive never heard anyone that good....incredible9 years ago
TheLouise24
Wow! Is there any instrument that Mark can't play - and play well? I doubt it.9 years ago
James523001
The commentary is not accurate re. Mark O'Connor being forced to "sit out" the 1976 Winfield Flatpick Championship. I recall that contest very well, and was aware of Mr. O'Conner due to his win the year before. In 1976, Mr. O'Connor did participate but, apparently due to his dissatisfaction with his contest performance, left the stage before completing his round, in effect withdrawing from the competition that year.10 years ago
Steve Johnson
Check out bluegrass music's second and third child prodigies Sierra Hull and Aissa (AJ) Lee. ... and listen to some Sarah Jarosz while you're at it.10 years ago
Steven Janda
Mark O'Connor, the greatest guitar on the planet at age 14, so humiliating.10 years ago
mark willingham
This goes out to buckwheat and all the others that made fun of tony rice dan carry &norman Blake. That they was in awe 99 percent of the lick's and run's that wear played by oconner came from every one of those guy's they was in the picture way before crater face come in the picture. Just to let ya know do ya home work!10 years ago
Steve Johnson
I've been following Mark since he was 15. I've long held that he is the best musician on the planet bar none. It's really a shame that he can't play the guitar or the mandolin anymore because on tendinitus. He at least is still the best fiddle player to ever pick up a bow. Not just the best, but the best by a very wide margin.10 years ago
Steve Summers
Of course I've heard this a time or two -- thousand. I got Mark's guitar album, Markology, when it came out in around '78. So much great stuff on there including the Fluid Drive, which featured Dan Crary and Tony Rice getting their lawns mowed by a 16 year old. My favorite part of this video is the expression on the faces of Tony Rice, Jesse McReynolds, and the rest.10 years ago
Steve Childers
Only the violin was a instrument good enough to keep his interest10 years ago
buck wheat
did i mention david grisman as well lol no one could out pick this guy except clarence white if there is such a thing as out picking probably not.10 years ago
buck wheat
lol dan crary norman blake tony rice jesse mcreynolds all in awe lol good pickin10 years ago
Jerry Brooks
I love the pic of Tony Rice just sitting there watching him play.10 years ago
Mark O'Connor
Note: For those in bluegrass music who do not understand how to classify a child prodigy, he is a child who is not merely talented, but one who can be compared with the top professionals in their chosen genres and on their chosen instruments.Related Videos
