Pike’s Peak

“Pike’s Peak” is an American breakdown fiddle tune recorded in 1933 by Arkansas fiddler Ted Sharp and his band (Hinman & Sharp) for Brunswick Records. The tune was previously recorded in 1930 by West Virginia’s Clark Kessinger under the title “Rat Cheese Under the Hill”—a corruption of “Natchez Under the Hill.” Texas bandleader Bob Wills later recorded it as “Prosperity Special” in 1938, referencing the famous Depression-era locomotive promotion. Sharp’s version became popular as a “hot fiddle rag/breakdown”. The tune is typically played in C major with standard tuning and has an AABB structure.