[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 12 (Tuesday, February 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E178-E179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO ART STAMPER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BEN CHANDLER

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 2005

  Mr. CHANDLER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor I rise today to pay 
tribute to one of Kentucky's finest musicians, Art Stamper.
  Nationally acclaimed in Bluegrass music, Art Stamper began playing 
the banjo and fiddle before age 10. His first fiddle had a self-made 
bow and Art taught himself how to play his first song. One of 4 sons 
and 3 daughters of the late Martha and Hiram Stamper, Art Stamper was 
born in 1933 in a log house in Knott County, Kentucky. Art Stamper got 
his love of music from his father. Hiram Stamper was an accomplished 
musician, and Art quickly followed suit, becoming a professional 
musician by age 16. Art Stamper helped define the music we now call 
Bluegrass. During his career and travels around the world, he worked 
with Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers, the Osborne Brothers, the Goins 
Brothers, Larry Sparks, Jim & Jesse, Bill Clifton and J.D. Crowe.
  Art Stamper is not only known as a master fiddler but also for his 
mastery as a hairdresser. He won many awards as owner of Louisville's 
The Way of Art. Art never stopped playing the fiddle as other musicians 
would come for haircuts and play while waiting their turn.

[[Page E179]]

  Art Stamper is the father of two sons and one daughter and husband of 
Kay Kawaguchi Stamper. Mr. Speaker, Art Stamper passed away on Sunday, 
January 23, 2005, but will always be remembered for his endless 
contributions to society and especially that of Bluegrass music.

                          ____________________