Earl Mitton was born in 1926 and grew up in Stewiacke, NS. Earl started playing fiddle at age 10. After serving in the armed forces, he moved to New Brunswick in 1946. In 1960 he started a band called The Valley Rhythm Boys which got some radio and TV exposure. He also played on Don Messer’s show. He is known for several fiddle tunes including the Carleton County Hornpipe, The Nova Scotia Polka and Earl Mitton’s Breakdown.

I’m trying to learn Mitton’s Breakdown so I’ve been listening to various recordings on YouTube. It’s a delightful tune with plenty of interesting bowing action.

Here’s Patti Kusturok from her second set of 365 fiddle tunes on YouTube.

This next one, performed by Ashley Giles, gets cut off at the end, but still worth a listen…

Here’s Earl with the Valley Rhythm Boys

This tune is so much fun!