I have found an original VHS video of Frank Proffit singing this song, which he made famous. It is on program #26 of Pete Seeger's "Rainbow Quest", which is available from Norman Ross Publishing, in NYC.Here is the description:
"26.Frank Warner: Seeger and his guest Frank Warner sing songs of the Adirondack Mountains and reminisce about Yankee John and frank Proffit. Proffit is seen in a film as he performed at the Newport Folk Festival. Included in the show are Frank Proffit's most famous song, "Tom Dooley," as well as "Little Men," "Little Phoebe" and "Hudson River Steamboat.""
I would LOVE to see this video. I live in NYC and can buy it, over the counter, directly from the publisher, paying sales tax ($2.06) but saving the $5 shipping and handling cost. I'm planning to buy a couple of the other programs anyway, so, if anyone wants to pay for this one, or ANY OTHERS, I can buy them all together and mail them to you. just send me email. I'm a registered member of Mudcat.
excitement, excitement!
EZR