Born on July 4th, 1918, in Conception Harbour, Norman Trahey’s family lived in the area for many generations, initially settling about 200 years ago from the Channel Islands and Ireland. As a toddler, he learned to play fiddle from his mother, Maggie, who learned from her father, known locally as Fiddler Nick. Norm was in great demand and could often be seen walking the shore from one dance to another. People often joked with him at a dance, saying, “Stop stomping your feet; we can’t hear the music.” Norman and his three brothers moved to Philadelphia to work in the steel industry, where he settled. He returned home at one point, married a girl from Brigus, and they returned to America to raise a family.

Collector’s Note: I never met Norman Trahey. The tunes presented here are from a tape given to me many years ago, and I don’t remember the donor’s name. I was very impressed with the playing style. There were many tunes on this recording that I hadn’t found elsewhere. He also played Country Waltz, Fisher’s Hornpipe, Beef in the Cupboard, Smash the Window, Stack of Barley, Old Man and Old Woman, Derry Hornpipe, Up the Pond, Up the Southern Shore, Who Stole the Miner’s Hat, Off She Goes, Paddy in London, Idle Road.