Rick,

Right now I'm looking at an article dated June 19th, 1937.

"American folk music? Why, I always thought folk music was something European peasants danced to in their native countries. I didn't know Americans had folk music of their very own."

This reaction, voiced by a Chicagoan who attended the National Folk Festival at Orchestra Hall, was experienced by many other city folks.

In speaking of Bascom Lamar Lunsford's group of square dancers from the Great Smokies, one Chicago critic said, "Many of these mountain folk were quite a shock to those of the audience who expected slouch hats and bare feet. The men wore white trousers and dark coats. The girls modish white dresses."

From as far West as Texas and New Mexico, from as far South as Louisiana, from the Easten seaboard, and from the Northernmost tips of Michigan and Wisconsin came the musicians and dancers who participated in the Fourth Annual National Folk Festival.

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Rick, it goes on and on---Kiowa Indians from Oklahoma and Fort Yates, North Dakota---Wiinbagos from N. Wisconsin -- Pottawatomies from Illinois and Indiana---Berea College in Kentucky was represented as was Ashville, N.C. Lumberjacks from Minnesota and Wisconsin and Michigan--Mexican traditions from New Mexico and French Canadians sang as well. Lithuanian music from immigrants now living in Chicago. Scottish music and dancing. Irish music and jigs. And a 750 member black chorus sang spirituals.
Also, there is a photo of B.Lunsford singing with Lulubelle and Scotty Wiseman from the WLS Barn Dance radio show out of Chicago that was the model for the WSM Grand Ole Oprah.

Carol needs to use the phone. Gotta get off line---or I'd write more from this article verbatim.

Art