Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker

Subject: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmake
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Nov 03 - 02:38 AM

DADGBE is one of the first of many folk music mentors who have guided me in the fifteen years or so that I've closely followed folk music. He called me in August and convinced me I had to listen closely to one of the Folk-Legacy Custom CD's, Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker. It was recorded by another mentor of mine, Sandy Paton, in Walton, New York, in 1964. DADGBE is right - it's a wonderful CD. I don't have the CD booklet yet, so I can't give background information on Rogers, but I really like his singing. Here's the track list:

1. When a Fellow is Out of a Job
2. Tales of My Grandad
3. Cannonsville Darn
4. Bullseye Bill
5. Rogers' Hornpipe
6. Legend of Slide Mountain
7. Three Nights Drunk (Child 274)
8. Larry O'Gaff
9. The Bachelor's Reply
10. It's a Wonder
11. Down By the Railroad Track
12. Kitty Sharp
13. Pat McBraid
14. Gravy and Bread
15. Bessie, the Heifer
16. At the End of Jimmy's Bar
17. The Bold Soldier
18. Willie Down By the Pond
19. The Canadian Rose
20. The Butcher's Boy
21. Freight #1262
22. A Place Called Hell
23. The Little Red Barn

I thought that every once in a while, I'd post the lyrics from some of the songs on this CD. It's a good one.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: ADD: The Ballad of Pat McBraid (Grant Rogers)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Nov 03 - 02:53 AM

DADGBE e-mailed me these lyrics in August, and he published the lyrics, tune, and notes in the San Francisco Folk Music Club's Folknik in the November/December 2003 issue. Here are the lyrics, tune, and notes.
^^
THE BALLAD OF PAT McBRAID
(Grant Rogers)

1. Come all you boys and gather 'round, I'm sure the time has come.
   For many times you've asked me where I've been and seen or done.
   For now I'm old and tired, no more youthful will I be.
   I was born in that good old Garden State in eighteen sixty-three.
   
   
2. As a lad, I've roamed the shores and fished on the River Delaware,
   I saw the raftsmen steer their logs; where they came I knew not where,
   So I became determined it was this I had to learn,
   Perhaps their boss would give me work, some wages I could earn.
   
   
3. I started out one morning me bedroll on me back,
   For food I took my fishing pole with a hook stuck in me hat,
   And only when I stopped to rest it was hours after dark,
   Don't be surprised when I tell you guys here's where the story starts.
   
   
4. It was the early days in August I reached this logging camp,
   The first time since I started that I felt like heading back,
   But soon a man walks up to me, the foreman of the crew.
   He looks me top to bottom, says, "What can I do for you?"
   
   
5. Says I, "It's work that I am looking for and sure will do me best."
   "Very well," says he, "but first you'll have to stand the test.
   Now I'll go and fetch your chopping axe. Now yonder stands a tree,
   Eighteen inches on the stump and the minutes you have are three."
   
   
6. I'm proud to say I stood me test with a little time to spare.
   Stuck up me axe and turned around, the whole crew standing there.
   The boss he blew his whistle, his watch still in his hand.
   "The way it looks, go tell the cook we've got an extra man."
   
   
7. He took me to the paying shack. Says he, "Give me your name.
   And whether fake or otherwise to me its just the same.
   But you must have a handle if you're looking to be paid."
   Says I,"I'll take my wages to the name of Pat McBraid."
   
   
8. Through me fifty years of logging I have seen a mighty change,
   From river rafts to steamships from motor trucks to trains.
   If there's a moral you're looking for, there's one that's plain to see –
   We took the roof from the red man's head to shelter you and me.

---

Click to play

---

Francis James Child was knighted for his work collecting ballads. His The English and Scottish Popular Ballads still stands as the single most important scholarly work in the field. Ever since its publication in 1883, folklorists have looked for and found bits of 'Child Ballads' preserved in remote corners of English speaking countries.
Ballads continue to be written, some of a quality which equals anything found in 'Child'. A particularly rich source of material has been the experiences of folks coming to and making their way in the New World. This little known New Jersey lumbering song is a perfect example. Grant Rogers was a retired stone cutter who worked timber in his youth and wrote from personal experience.
Folk-Legacy Records has ben releasing rare and wonderful music for forty years. Sandy and Caroline Paton, Folk- Legacy's spearheads, released Grant's only extant recording in 1965. Songmaker of the Catskills now available as made-to-order CD-27, is a gem. Go to www.folklegacy.com or [phone] for further details.

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: DonMeixner
Date: 14 Nov 03 - 04:19 PM

Grant Rogers has long been a favorite of mine Joe. See if you can chase down his performance on Pete Seegars Rainbow Quest videos. I have it on BetaII and now and then I dig the old BetaMax out of the attic and give it listen and a watch. Wonderful musician and song writer who could use a little great exposure.

Don

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Nov 03 - 12:25 AM

Thanks, Don. The Rainbow Quest videos are available at many libraries. I'll see if I can find it.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: DonMeixner
Date: 17 Nov 03 - 12:43 AM

Joe,

If you can't and you have access to a BETA II i'll lend you my copy for awhile.

Don

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: RangerSteve
Date: 17 Nov 03 - 08:08 PM

He also did a recording for the Kanahwa label. And, of course, it's also out of print, but if anyone wants a copy on cassette, I'll be happy to do it. PM me.

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: DADGBE
Date: 17 Nov 03 - 08:48 PM

I didn't know about the Rainbow Quest tape or the Kanahwa recordings. It's wonderful news! RangerSteve, check your private mesages. I'll send you one as soon as I figure out how to do it. Joe, if you find that tape in the library, let me know. Maybe we can use it as an excuse to get together. Of course, maybe we don't need no stinking excuse.

Best to all,
Ray

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: kendall
Date: 17 Nov 03 - 09:14 PM

I had the pleasure of doing a folk festival, I think it was at Dartmouth College in the mid 70's. Grant Rogers was one of the performers. I have his vinal recording and it is a good one.

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: DADGBE
Date: 17 Nov 03 - 11:47 PM

Good memories, eh Kendall?! I also had the luck to share a bill with Grant, Lawrence Older and Sarah Cleveland at a small festival in upstate New York in the early 70's. None of them seemed to believe that their music could be acceptable to anyone else but their small circle of family and friends. They were the real thing.

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: georgeward
Date: 18 Nov 03 - 12:46 PM

Ray, long time no hear from. Any chance that, that "small festival in upstate New York" might be one I'd remember ?   - George Ward

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: DADGBE
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 02:33 PM

Hi George,

It's been several light years, hasn't it! Yes, you would remember it since you were there as I recall.

Much love,
Ray

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 20 Nov 03 - 01:53 AM

Middletown, New York, wasn't it, Ray? Put together by the astronomy professor from Orange County Community College -- Walt .... (memory fails me). I bet George will remember his last name.
    Sandy

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: GUEST,Tom M
Date: 25 Dec 07 - 10:23 PM

I was playing Bass guitar behind a guitarist friend of mine during hunting season. I am not sure of the year or town but I think it was in 1979 in Liberty, New York. All of a sudden there was a hush amongst the crowd and someone said Grant Rogers was in the house. I never heard of him but I sure was about to find out. Grant, with fiddle in hand, jumped in between us and said in "C' Sonny. My 19 year old fingers worked full time to keep up with this ancient master. We were the last ones to perform with Grant Rogers. It was an honor and priveledge to share the stage with such talent.Within 3 years I was in the recording studio with Tommy Ramone from the world famous Ramones. Talk about two different music style.

Tom M. (Forest Hills, New York.

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: GUEST,mike schlafer
Date: 23 Aug 08 - 07:30 PM

My daughter ran across this information about Grant Rogers. Grant was my uncle and when I walked home from school I passed by his house everyday. Many days I was late getting home because I would sit on Uncle Grant's porch and listen to him play guitar or fiddle. He presented me with my first guitar when I was 10. Several years later he asked if I would trade back that old guitar in exchange for his treasured Guild that was damaged while playing a concert in London. I still have the Guild and a longing to listen to his music again. I also remember meeting Sandy Paton while he was recording at the Rogers' house. I also recall meeting Woody Guthrie there. Does anyone know if any of his recordings are availible to purchase?

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: GUEST,Kendall
Date: 13 Dec 09 - 03:39 PM

Yes we have a few Scots here.

I had some Scotch in me last Saturday night, does that count?

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Dec 09 - 02:32 AM

Folk songs of the Catskills - Google Books Result

Google

"grant rogers", catskills

The paragraphs about him come up there.

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: GUEST,Darcel Starkweather Niero
Date: 05 Apr 10 - 11:59 PM

Grant Rogers was my grandmothers twin brother and a great uncle of mine as a child we would barbecue at his house and sing as he played gutair i have a copy of all his albums he gave me and inspired me to follow my musical gift check out his utube videos i remember these.Please if anyone has anything more especially pics please post on facebook as the kids of this generation that r his relatives are very interested

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Aug 10 - 05:05 PM

I HAD ABOUT ALL OF GRANT ROGERS SONGS ON RECORDS BUT LOST THEM IN A FIRE I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS ANY WAY I COULD REPLACWE THEM
THANK YOU
([e-mail])

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 04:43 AM

The record "Grant Rogers, Songmaker of the Catskills" is still available from Folk-Legacy: here.

~ Becky in Long Beach
(whose family used to spend long weekends in Walton, NY)

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: Bettynh
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 01:11 PM

On youtube:

When a Fellow is Out of a Job

The Ballad of Pat McBraid

Bessie the Heifer

Tales of my Grandad

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 05 May 11 - 09:55 PM

Unfortunately, only the first of YouTube links just above is still good. But here's another one:

with Norman Studer on Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest singing "Reservoir"

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Feb 12 - 10:24 PM

Does anyone know what year Grant Rogers was born? I need it for a fellowship project, for a section tracing his connection to Bradley Kincaid.

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: deepdoc1
Date: 12 Feb 12 - 11:03 PM

Just curiously browsed Amazon and see The Cannonsville Story: From the Film "Kinfolks" by Grant Rogers and Robert Gregory available as mp3 or CD. It appears to contain some of the songs on the Songmaker album.

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: open mike
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 01:09 PM

several of those youtube videos were removed due to this:

"This video is no longer available because the YouTube account associated with this video has been terminated due to multiple third-party notifications of copyright infringement from claimants including:    Pat Philips"

who is    Pat Philips? and why does he or she have the right to remove these videos?

is it this pat philips?
http://www.strattaphilips.com/bio/index.htm

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 13 Feb 12 - 03:58 PM

Hello unidentified guest,
Who are you ? What is your project?
Have you checked the extensive notes for the FOLK-LEGACY album?
There is also a GRANT ROGERS album on KANAWHA 308, about 1969 - don't know it, is it the same person ???? Kanawha recorded mostly in the south.
Folksongs of The Catskills (book)) by Haufreche/Cazden/Studer is a good source.
There are additional recordings at Bloomington (U.Ill.), and in the
Norman Cazden collection (Library of Congress).
Best wishes, Thomas.

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 03:59 PM

additional to previous post:
also KANAWHA 313 Ballads and Fiddle Tunes
    KANAWHA 308 title was GRANT ROGERS BALLAD SINGER 1967, NOT 1969.
a catalog entry for Kanawha 308 lists birth year as 1907.
there are Grant Rogers tracks in some compilation albums....

Best wishes, Thomas.

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 07:39 PM

The following is from a review in ETHNOMUSICOLOGY 13:1 (Jan.1969) by
Neil V Rosenberg:
"...one recording by a ballad singer and composer who is also a traditional fiddler, Grant Rogers (Kanawha 308). Unlike his first record (Folk-Legacy FSA-27, Grant Rogers: Songmaker of the Catskills), this disc includes no fiddle tunes. Rogers' vocal style and repertoire reflect the influence of hillbilly recording artists Bradley Kincaid, Hank Snow, and Mac Wiseman. Like these performers, Rogers draws from his stock of traditional ballads for the melodic and thematic elements of his own compositions, paralleling the compositional techniques of Kessinger and Herdman. Most of the traditional songs on the record were learned from recordings, although Rogers does not always indicate the particular record or performer from which the song came. He is thus aware of and influenced by the recording industry, but retains the attitudes of the traditional ballad writer and singer. A singer such as Rogers serves as a warning against dichotomizing folksingers and hillbilly performers. "
Best wishes, Thomas.

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Mar 12 - 08:33 PM

grant was my grandfathers cousin awsume folk singer expeciall his moose turd pie       would love to get a digitally mastered album of his   my aunt has all his reel to reel tapes

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Apr 13 - 12:48 PM

Check out                                     http://research.culturalequity.org/rc-b2/get-audio-ix.do?ix=recording&id=4709&idType=performerId&sortBy=abc
Or in human words, They have begun digitizing Alan Lomax's audio archive. There is a ton of recordings of course and about 10 of Grant Rogers at the Newport Folk Festival in 1966.

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 04 Apr 13 - 01:32 PM

Just to point out that the Folk-Legacy LP is available on CD.

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 04 Apr 13 - 11:34 PM

Thanks, Guest.

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: Grant Rogers, Catskill Mountain Songmaker
From: Dave Ruch
Date: 26 Apr 17 - 09:32 AM

Brand-new website dedicated to the music of Grant Rogers and the wider community from which he came:

GrantRogers.org

Many thanks to Jim Haggerty and the Music on the Delaware organization for putting this together (and letting me know about it!).