Leonard Rutherford

Leonard Rutherford (March 22, 1898 – June 30, 1951) was an American old-time fiddle player from Kentucky, United States. He was a full-time live-entertainer and recording artist, but lacking any inclination for showmanship he performed in partnerships. For 35 years, he toured with banjoist Dick Burnett, making a number of highly regarded recordings in 1926–1928. He formed a shorter recording partnership (1929 -1934) with guitarist and singer John D Foster, but continued to play with Burnett. Rutherford was born in Somerset, Kentucky, and lived most of his life in Monticello, Kentucky.

Rutherford has been described as "one of the prettiest of old-time fiddlers, and he could sing, too" and "a versatile, long bow fiddler with an exceptionally sweet tone and a repertoire that included modern songs and tunes, as well as old-time tunes". Dick Burnett's verdict was more mixed: "He could play that fiddle, he was the best in the world, but he wouldn't do nothin' else. You've got to have showmanship." Wayne Martin a North Carolina Folklorist believes that due to the way Rutherford plays with very fluid sliding notes that Rutherford was influenced by the black musicians of Wayne County, KY