Randy Howard (1960–1999) was an American bluegrass, country and old time fiddler.
Early life Howard was born in Georgia and grew up in Milledgeville."Randy D. Howard held the world on a fiddle string.". Union-Recorder, Daniel McDonald August 29, 2008 As a child, he learned to play several instruments, including fiddle, and won his first fiddle contest at the age of 18 in Union Grove, North Carolina.
Career Howard was the first prize fiddler at the inaugural Tri-State Bluegrass Association fiddle contest in 1982."History of the Tri-State Bluegrass Association". Association website. He worked as a session musician in Nashville beginning in 1990. He played with many well-known musicians and bands, including George Jones and Ricky Skaggs."The short story of Randy Howard, fiddler extraordinaire". If That Ain't Country, February 19, 2013. He continued to win many fiddle contests."2012 Grand Master Fiddle Champion". Bluegrass Today, John Lawless | October 9, 2012"The Past Alabama State Fiddle Champs!". Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention.
Howard performed on two albums with the Lonesome River Band. He was a guest artist on an album by Allen Shadd."Miles from the Hard Road, New CD from Allen Shadd". Cybergrass, June 23, 2014 He was named fiddle player of the year at the International Bluegrass Music Awards in 1996."Bluegrass Rumblings and Awards".
Howard died of cancer in 1999."James Price – Fiddlin the Old-Time Way / Randy Howard – I Rest My Case / Glen Duncan – Self-Titled". No Depression, April 30, 2003 That year, he was once more named fiddle player of the year at the International Bluegrass Music Awards.Bluegrass Awards Crown McCory, An album of his recordings, I Rest My Case, was released posthumously by Sugar Hill Records in 2001."Review: I Rest My Case". Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange, by Allen Price
Discography Raw Guitar, Robin Kessinger Randy Howard, Atlantic, 1988 One Step Forward, Lonesome River Band, Sugar Hill Records, 1996Album listing, AllMusic.com Finding the Way, Lonesome River Band Sugar Hill Records, 1998 Shore to Shore, Mae McKenna, 1999Album Review. Musical Discoveries, Russell W Elliot May 28, 1999 I Rest My Case, 2001
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