The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #8817   Message #55412
Posted By: Sandy Paton
23-Jan-99 - 08:50 PM
Thread Name: Aunt Molly Jackson
Subject: RE: Aunt Molly Jackson
Shelly Romalis has just published Pistol Packin' Mama, Aunt Molly Jackson and the Politics of Folksong (University of Illinois Press), a biography of Aunt Molly. I see that it's available from Amazon.com in paperback for around $16. The hardcover edition, sadly, is fairly expensive.

As for the song "Dreadful Memories," I understand that it was actually written by Sarah Ogan Gunning, Aunt Molly's sister, who also wrote "Girl of Constant Sorrow." Sarah was recorded by Archie Green for Folk-Legacy, and the recording is still available as one of our custom cassettes. Sarah died a few years ago in Detroit.

I was taken by Barry Olivier to meet Aunt Molly in Sacramento in 1957. She was still quite active then, and appeared to thoroughly enjoy the devoted attention of a young (then) male folkie, namely me. Gave me a great big hug when we parted. I felt honored.

Sandy