Betsy Rutherford

Subject: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,C Stuart Cook
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 02:49 PM

I once asked a friend to record me some some songs that he had where Buffaloes got a mention. Heard a fragment but couldn't place the song. to fill up the side he added afew tracks he thought I'd be interested in. the singer was listed as Betsy(Betty) Rutherford.

One track was "Will the Circle be Unbroken" the other "John Hardin". They were brilliant but I've never been able to find out anything else on her.
Can anyone give me some history/background. Is she still alive - it was a good while ago and she didn't sound young.

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 04:49 PM

Betsy Rutherford Coffey was an incredibly good singer (and powerful!) from the Galax tradition-- her uncle was Wade Ward. I am sorry to say that she died some 15 years ago. She is survived by her husband John Coffey, who still lives in Galax (I see him every time I go to Galax) and was written up in the Old Time Herald some time ago. I used to have that issue but it's not easily accessible-- sorry.

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 05:39 PM

Seems like it was on Biograph, brown cover. I have seen it, but have never heard it.

Yep, just found a shot of the cover. It would appear that there is a copy for sale. Betsy Rutherford - Biograph 6004 Click on the small cover for a larger picture with contents listed.

I missed the cover color a bit. More orange than brown.

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,C Stuart Cook
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 06:05 PM

Thanks for the bit of info. She certainly had an incredibly robust performance style from the two tracks I heard. That sort of full blast delivery is something that you will rarely hear now. The music is the poorer for it to a degree. I feel sometimes todays singers are a bit too polished. A ragged edge to a performance has some merit and should be appreciated as a plus instead of a minus.

How do others feel - should there be more passion, blood, guts and rogh edges to what we hear?

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 07:52 PM

Definately- Smooth Folk is OK for the new kids but it aint REAL is it ?? Incidentally I have a couple of Wade Ward tracks on an old Vinyl.

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Rutherford's Daughter
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 10:37 AM

...and look what all I find because I Googled mom's record!
I don't know what to write, so I'll just answer the question about her age at the recording of her album.
She wasn't even 30 years old when she made this.
Glad it's being enjoyed.

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Sandy LaPrelle and family
Date: 04 Nov 10 - 01:51 PM

To Guest, Betsy Rutherford's Daughter,
Betsy Rutherford has been one of my heroes, seriously, since I was college-age in the mid 70s. First heard her vinyl record album then, while visiting my future husband John and his roommate at the time, AC Bushnell (in Durham, NC). Our daughter Elizabeth LaPrelle rates your mom as one of her most influential singers - our daughter's first CD is called "Rain & Snow", one of the songs your mother sings on that LP. Our entire family admire her singing tremdously. It is an honor to be able to tell her daughter this! And of course we're curious - do you sing as well?
Contact us if you feel inclined, we'd love to meet you. (just google "Elizabeth LaPrelle" for website contact info)
Thank you!
Sandy LaPrelle and family

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Betsy Rutherford's Daughter
Date: 09 Nov 10 - 08:41 PM

I have Elizabeth's CD! Dad heard her talking on the radio about mom being her influence.(we both got a bit teary...it was the first time anyone had mention mom's record as an influence) "Rain and Snow" is a wonderful CD, and I play it for my friends quite a bit. "My Dearest Dear" is so beautiful.
Thank you for this wonderful note. I love my mom's singing. Glad to see other people out there have heard of her.
As for my singing. Only in private. And yes, to old time country.
The best of health and times to you, Sandy, and your family.
   Lacey

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: MikeT
Date: 10 Nov 10 - 04:21 PM

Betsy Rutherford! That's the name. I was thinking about her a while ago, and couldn't remember her name. I saw and heard her years ago, in Saratoga at the Caffe Lena, and at the Fox Hollow festival in the late 60's. I'm so sorry to hear that she has passed. She was a great great singer. I had forgot about her somewhat until I heard Elizabeth singing 'Jesse's Corrido on Bruce's tribute album, when Elizabeth's superb singing brought memories of Betsy coming back, I just couldn't remember her name.

So yes, and yes, and yes, I love this style of singing. Betsy was so wonderful, please Lacey, share some of your singing with us.

much love to you all.

Mike

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: C Stuart Cook
Date: 17 Feb 11 - 02:16 PM

Strange how threads run. Having started this I thought that I'd got as much info as I was likely to get.

Today I was walking though my local Country Park. I'd tried to have a meaningful conversation with the dog but she was only interested in why I wasn't throwing her ball.

So there I was on a hill in the middle of England with a view of 40 miles plus over the Lancs/Cheshire plain, I missed my usual turn so went to the next one. For some reason I started singing 'John Hardin' to myself, most likely because I'd been listening to Leadbelly singin it during the day. This was due to Bill Caddick mentioning him at the Midway on Monday night.

My new path took me past the house where Ewan MacColl lived with Joan Littlewood when the Security Services were watching them.This led me to think about his songs and people who have sung them. I thought of one particularly good local singer who also used to do a superb full throated version 'Will the circle....'

I'll check the query thread for Betsy Rutherford, I thought to myself, and find that, unbeleivably, Betsy's daughter has come onto the thread.

It's a long way from Gee Cross,Hyde to Galax via the 'Plains of the Buffalo' but we got there. Not quite circular but it's certainly roundish. This music and tradition we all carry with us is immense and never fails to amaze me. I'm relearning 'Plains ...' for the next singaround.

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Pete Huey
Date: 17 May 11 - 02:36 PM

Great reading all this good stuff about Betsy, especially from Lacey, whom I haven`t seen since she was knee high to the proverbial grasshopper.

Bill Schmidt, John, Bob Dalsemer and I were the "New Ruby Tonic Entertainers" back in the 1970s; had a wonderful time playing old time string band music in a band named after the one in which Betsy`s father played back in the "medicine wagon" days. We had great fun playing at festivals, square dances and concerts, mostly around the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area.

Unfortunately, we never made any recordings, although I`ve hung onto a bunch of cassette tapes of practice sessions and a concert or two; had some of them burned onto a CD awhile back and still enjoy a "nostalgia wallow" from time to time.

Betsy was a true original and is greatly missed.

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Carl Conn
Date: 22 May 11 - 07:41 AM

I recorded a "New Ruby Tonic Entertainers" concert at I think "Lovely Lane Church" in Baltimore, mid 70's (reel to reel) I remember Bill Schmidt coming over and getting a copy I believe, also I recorded
a few tunes at a jam at my house in Baltimore, I'll dig out those old reel to reel's and see if I can transfer the material.

Carl

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Steve Longley
Date: 21 Jun 11 - 12:25 PM

I have been trying to find John Coffey; I recently discovered an envelope of vintage family photos which I believe are Betsy Rutherford Coffey's family. I would like them returned to the family. I was a neighbor when the Coffey's lived in Baltimore. I am sorry to hear of Betsy's passing; we had a lot of morning talks over coffee in my kitchen.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,bluemule_77
Date: 05 Jul 11 - 09:41 AM

http://longplayingrecords.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/betsy-rutherford-traditional-country-music/

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,thespitfire63
Date: 10 Jul 11 - 07:50 PM

It's really cool to see all these posts from old friends!! Thanks "uncle pete" for all the ice cream during band prctices!
I'm Mom's oldest daughter. Lacey and I are staying with Daddy in Galax, while he recovers from some health issues. We spent several hours going thru old pictures. Thank you again Steve!!!

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,thespitfire63
Date: 12 Jul 11 - 05:00 PM

Mr. Conn,
Did you ever find those reel-to-reels? If so were you able to put them on CD? My sister Lacey and I would love to be able to get copies for Daddy. He's doing much better, I bought him a goos stereo system for his bedroom ( with wireless headphones!) since he is getting a little HOH. Thanks, Heather Cofey.

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: maeve
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 10:00 PM

Found in a different thread:
*****************************************

Subject: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Martha Oost - PM
Date: 21 Aug 11 - 01:42 PM

Hello,

I followed Your searching of the music of Betsy Rutherford,
did You get her music in the meantime, maybe from her daughter?
If not, it is possible for me to send You a copy of her LP
'Traditional Country Music'.

With kind regards,
Martha

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Carl Conn
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 06:09 PM

Heather,

I've moved, and things are boxed up now, plus I've been traveling, so I'll dig out those reel to reels soon, and let you know if I'm successful in transferring. Sorry to be so late getting back,   I think I remember you playing the flute,

Carl Conn

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Marcia Young Palmater
Date: 28 Aug 11 - 10:31 PM

So delighted to find this thread! I knew Betsy before she met and married John; we were both living in Cambridge, Mass. then, in the '60s. I LOVED her singing, and yes, I have the Biograph album.

A little anecdote: She was an unknown when she performed at a folk festival (no, I don't remember which one.) The MC saw this tiny little woman, long dark hair, looked to be 90 pounds soaking wet with a rock in her pocket, and to reassure her, he said, "Just step up to the mike, little lady, and don't be afraid."

Well, she stepped up to the mike, let her voice go, and blew out the mike! God, what a voice she had.

I was very sad to hear of her passing, much too young. What a loss.

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Richie
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 10:26 AM

I've been adding some MP3's to my research site. You can listen to Rutherford's "Rain and Snow" here:

http://bluegrassmessengers.com.temp.realssl.com/cold-rain-and-snow--version-5-betsy-rutherford.aspx

Richie

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Pete Huey
Date: 29 Aug 11 - 01:40 PM

I would dearly love to get a copy of that concert. I remember it well and don`t think we ever played better than we did that night.

If possible, please shoot me an email at; [e-mail]

Thanks,

Pete Huey. former "New Ruby Tonic Entertainer"

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Jim Barnes
Date: 03 Sep 11 - 08:27 PM

I have started a public Facebook page in appreciation of Betsy Rutherford, with the support of her family. You can see it at https://www.facebook.com/BetsyRutherfordMusic

It includes a biography, photos, YouTube videos, reminiscences, etc.

Subject: RE: Betsy Rutherford
From: GUEST,Pete Huey
Date: 26 Sep 11 - 10:01 PM

I have really gotten a charge out of listening to the tunes Jim Barnes has posted on the new "Betsy Rutherford" YouTube page, some of which came from the 1974 Lovely Lane Church "New Ruby Tonic Entertainers" concert, thanks to Carl Conn who recorded it at the time and hung on to his old reel-to-reel tapes.
What a nostalgia trip! We weren`t half bad, if I do say so myself; can`t wait to hear what he posts next.