This West Virginia fiddler and guitarist played with his brother for many dances.  His fiddle was driving, but also mellow and full of pleasing double stops.  It's always enjoyable to arrange a clawhammer tune from Israel Welch's repertoire.  "Tearin' Down the Laurel" is one of his CD compilations still in circulation.

​

Israel was born on October 7, 1912 in Burlington, WV in a large family with ten children. He was a farmer, a soldier, a historian and received many honors during his life.  He died August 29, 2003.