Daniel Tracy Schwarz

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Virginia “Ginny” Hawker of Elkins, West Virginia, and previously of Gilmer County, West Virginia; sister, Natalie Lowell of West Barnstable, Massachusettes; son Robert Schwarz of Guimares, Philippines; daughter. Sallyann Schwarz Koontz of Charleston, South Carolina; and son, Peter Schwarz of Austin, Texas; as well as three grandchildren, Cora Davis, Kyle Davis and Olivia Schwarz.

He is predeceased by parents, Hamilton D. Schwarz and Constance H. Schwarz; a sister, Sister Ann Schwarz and brother, Philip J. Schwarz.

Born in New York City, “Tracy,” as he was known, is a graduate of the Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island, attended Georgetown University, and earned a master’s degree from Millersville University in Pennsylvania.

He enlisted in the US Army from 1960-1962 and was stationed in Germany as a ham radio operator.

Tracy is regarded as one of the greatest musicians of traditional American roots music. His recorded work includes three Grammy Award nominations. A multi-instrumentalist (fiddle, guitar, banjo, accordion, and more), he was most notably a member of the New Lost City Ramblers (starting in 1962) and the Strange Creek Singers (which included West Virginia native, Hazel Dickens). He has recorded and performed with countless traditional musicians, and more recently with his wife and singing partner Ginny Hawker, winner of the 2024 Vandalia Award in recognition of her contributions to West Virginia traditions.

His songwriting work includes “The Poor Old Dirt Farmer” which was recorded by Levon Helm and nominated for Song of the Year by the Americana Music Association in 2007. Throughout his career, he worked tirelessly as a scholar and teacher of traditional music styles, first with the Smithsonian Folkways solo release, “Learn To Fiddle Country Style” (1965), several instructional records in the 1970s with Cajun fiddler Dewey Balfa, and countless intensive music instruction programs, the most beloved of which was the Augusta Heritage Workshops in Elkins.

He fervently believed that anyone who was interested in learning how to play an instrument or sing, could, and his infectious enthusiasm and innovative methods helped generations of students around the world to develop their skills and appreciation of these intricate regional artforms.

Despite the ravages of dementia, Schwarz has been dazzling porch jams in Elkins for years now, and was recently leading a festival jam in Morgantown, determined to share his deep love and passion for Appalachian music for as long as he could. Tracy’s wit and his kind, gentle and humble demeanor will be profoundly missed by his loving wife, his family and the global music community.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday April 2, 2025, at 11 a.m. with visitation at 10 a.m., at Tomblyn Funeral Home, 45 Randolph Ave, Elkins WV 26241. Interment will follow at the Beverly Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Tracy’s name to the Augusta Arts and Culture Scholarship Fund, 21 3rd St. Elkins WV 26241. Link: https://augustaartsandculture.org/augusta-scholarship-fund/.

The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Daniel Tracy Schwarz.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.