John and I went to the same college, a couple of years apart, so we were both in the same place at the same time for maybe two years (65-67, maybe). I ran into him once at a reunion in the early 80s, but never since.

I can't remember what he might have majored in or what he was doing for a living when he was out of school. I wouldn't have remembered that he came from Chapel Hill NC, but that information is supplied above.

When I knew him, he was a good solid amateur folk guitar player and singer with no burning ambition to be a full-time musician. He just did an amazing epic-length version of this one particular song; in fact, he could make it into an entire set by itself, complete with spoken commentary between verses, sometimes interjecting fragments of other Leadbelly songs, etc., slowly and very effectively building the story of Jack Johnson being turned away from the death ship -- all pretty much as described above by Bob Haight.

I haven't yet tried to email Bob about this. If he's still at the same e-address and we make contact with each other, I'll update this thread with any additional info.