Dear Colleagues,
In response to Ed's query, please let me note that I am the director of the John Jacob Niles Center at the University of Kentucky. I am currently completing a biography of John Jacob Niles during a sabbatical spent at the Hindman Settlement School. The book will probably be completed by June 2004 and available in the spring 2005 catalogue from the University Press of Kentucky.

I hope that it will prove to be of some interest to you all. It is a tremendously interesting narrative for me to explore, chock full of stories. I do need to note the epigram i have chosen at the beginning is a saying of Niles's:
"Don't let the dull facts interfere with a good yarn." Hopefully truth will emerge--as well as a good yarn.

Again, please know how delighted I am to be able to engage in this conversation through Mudcat's forum. Thank you all for your valuable and interesting perspectives on Niles and folk music.