BITTER SWEET, Ky. — By the time a person reaches the age of 84, they have usually been retired for several years, and normally slowing down at this stage of life. But on a rare occasion, a person can maintain a lot of vitality later in life and continue to make a difference to someone, somewhere.

Charlie Stamper is not a name most people would recognize, but he has made a difference for many bluegrass music lovers in the world – especially fiddle players, which is Stamper’s instrument of choice.

And at that ripe “young” age of 84, he has released his first album. Not bad for someone who’s supposed to be retired and slowing down.

Glory to the Meeting House was released in December with the help of an unlikely source, J.D. Wilkes, a musician known more for his for rockabilly roots than bluegrass. But he is a banjo player, and like Stamper, they are residents of my home state of Kentucky – so that makes him alright with me.

Wilkes is given credit by some for discovering Stamper, but I think it’s more being the first to bring him out to a new legion of fans. Stamper has been playing the fiddle for a long time. His brother, Art, however, is the one who had more notoriety as a fiddle player. He gained “fame” among the bluegrass crowd in the 1950s with the Stanley Brothers Band.

One of those brothers, Ralph, is known around the world for his contribution to bluegrass music; and incidentally, is another musician who has made a difference well into his 80s.

Stamper’s release is on June Appal Records, a label dedicated to Appalachian music. Stamper is from Knott County in the eastern Kentucky mountains, but now calls Cadiz home, located at the other end of the state.

The music on this album is truly mountain inspired and even gives the listener a sound that had has roots from old Ireland. Old-time fiddle playing is a phrase that often pops up in the same conversations surrounding Stamper.

For those looking for a true American treasure, this album is for you. Stamper has played local dance halls and venues for most of his musical life, but this new release will take his gift to more people in more places.

He is truly an inspiration to the old and the young, and teaches us that even later in life, we all have gifts to share and our older friends should never be counted out. As you can imagine, Charlie Stamper gets a 100, A+ for his wonderful music and amazing longevity.

Bluegrass Johnson comes from a long line of country music performers and enjoys a passion for the rhythm and melody. From the hills of Kentucky, he will offer his opinions on a variety of new country music each week. Readers with questions or comments may write to Johnson in care of this publication.