Mrs. McCord played a major role in bringing attention to traditional Ozark music through her singing, writing, and radio programs and through helping Vance Randolph and Max Hunter establish the Ozark Folk Festival. They produced the first festival in Springfield, MO and then moved to Eureka Springs, AR where it is now in its 65th year. It remained a "Folk" festival as long as Max Hunter was alive. She is also the source for the song known as "Palace Grand", "Lady Mary", and "The Sad Song". Mrs. McCord also helped bring attention to Jimmy Driftwood before he got published and recorded in Nashville. She is indeed one of the grand ladies of Ozark folk tradition and supposedly had an exceptional memory for songs. I wish I had known her.
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