Song Clearance Sheet
4 sources citedDueling Banjos
Bluegrass1970s149BPM
A majKey
More around 150 BPM → · More in A major → · More “Cleared After Dispute” →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →
The verdict
Cleared After Dispute
Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith won a landmark copyright case for proper credit and royalties over the 1972 “Deliverance” version. The ironic postscript — a review of 62 releases found none actually credit Smith by name — is documented in Rights Status, not smoothed over.
reportedly open to sampling
Used by independents?
Unconfirmed — the page doesn't yet document enough sampler detail to tell.
Quick Facts
Released1972
GenreBluegrass, Country
LabelWarner Bros. Records
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The composer of record — Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith (with Don Reno) — established by his landmark case
Gearspace → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — originally Warner Bros.; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — the 1972 “Deliverance” version reached #2 on the Hot 100, topped Adult Contemporary, and won the 1974 Grammy for Best Country Instrumental; the composition’s ownership was settled by Smith’s suit.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; the composer of record is legally established (Smith), even though releases rarely credit him.
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith (with Don Reno)
A landmark copyright caseArthur Smith won what’s widely described as a landmark copyright infringement case
An ironic postscriptThe credit never fully carried through to packaging: a detailed review of 62 album releases and 35 singles found NONE actually credit Smith by name — virtually all list “Trad. arranged by Eric Weissberg” instead.
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A landmark case, then an ironic gap in the packaging
Smith won proper credit and royalties in a landmark case — but a review of 62 releases and 35 singles found none actually credit him by name, most listing “Trad. arranged by Eric Weissberg.” The legal resolution never fully carried through to commercial packaging.
Discogs · read it →
Smith’s own nuanced request
Smith reportedly asked to be credited on the official soundtrack listing but separately asked to be omitted from the actual film’s credits, since he personally found the movie too offensive to want his name directly associated with it.
Discogs · read it →
From The Andy Griffith Show to a Grammy
The tune first got wide national exposure via a 1963 episode of “The Andy Griffith Show,” years before “Deliverance” turned it into a #2 hit.
Wikipedia · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
A bluegrass standard — widely covered
Covers
1972
First flip
Who to Contact
AS
Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith (composer)
The legally-established composer of record, per his landmark case
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Unique Angles Batch)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending a separate manual keyfinder pass