In the opening article it stated that "Buffalo Gals" came out of a western heritage. This is the only fault I can find in the article. "Buffalo Gals" is actully the song "Lubbly Fan" written by White. On tour, bands would sing the name of the town rather than the Lubbly Fan. So in Charleston it was "Charleston Gals won't you come out tonight". For whatever reason, when it got to Buffalo NY, the name stuck. Buffalo Gals was thus born.

What I find so important to learn about minstrelsy (and this has been pointed out above) is the fact that almost all traditional music in America has it's roots on the minstrel stage, one way or another. Some people see minstelsy as a fad. In fact it was as big as rock and roll and lasted for almost 100 years. This music was a large part of the soundtrack of America and yet many people sing "Buffalo Gals", "O' Susanna" and "Old Dan Tucker" and yet have no idea the roots of the songs or their real importance in American music history.

What I love is to stand before an audience that thinks "old Dan Tucker" is old time music and hit them with the 1843 version, words, style, dress and all. Most a blown away! The interest in this music is growing, with luck it will bring us to a better understanding of the roots of our most popular musical traditions.