About This Book

     One of the most bizarre stories in all of popular music is the story behind Orange Blossom Special, arguably the century's best-known fiddle tune. The man credited with its ownership, Ervin T. Rouse, endured tragedy, alcoholism and mental illness. He spent his last years fiddling for tips in isolated taverns at the edge of the Florida Everglades, and died all but unknown. The man who claimed co-ownership, Chubby Wise, achieved fame as the seminal fiddler of the bluegrass genre, but struggled to overcome personal demons and to heal scars of childhood abandonment and abuse. Their legacies are forever linked with legendary diesel streamliner which, six decades ago, roared through American history and brought wonder and hope to every stop.

CD Track List…………………………………………………….iiv
Preface, John Hartford……………………………………………..v
Foreword, Marty Stuart…………………………………………..vii

Introduction………………………………………………………...1
I. For the Record, They Never Rode The Train………………..........9
II 'You'd Have Thought That Jesus Christ Hisself
Was Comin' Down the Line' …………………………….........…..17
III Ervin Rouse, Chubby Wise and the Devil's Box………......….....29
IV Sam Train, Different Track: Variations on a Theme……..............65
V Would Have, Could Have, Should Have:
Orange Blossom Special On the Record………………..............…75
VI Same Train, Different Track:
Chubby Wise and the Birth of Bluegrass…………………..............91
VII Sweeter Than the Flowers: Triumph and Tragedy………........102
VIII Moving On:
Chubby Wise and the Singing Ranger ……………...……............131
IX "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash." The Special Gets On Track ….........151
X The End of the Line: Legends and Legacies ……….......……...179
Discography, Chubby Wise………………………………..........208
Discography, The Rouse Brothers……………………….............209
Bibliography and Sources………………………………….........211
CD Musicians and Ordering Information…………………...........214