Was My Grandpa Field Recorded?

Subject: RE: Was My Grandpa Field Recorded?
From: Janie
Date: 08 Sep 04 - 06:03 PM

Well. After some research, and discussion with family, I think my grandfather probably was NOT field recorded. What is likely is that he declined a request to be field recorded (Eastern Kentucky,was, for a number of years, absolutely crawling with folklorists and collectors). I will probably dig a little longer just in case, but he probably would not have known the difference between an offer of a record contract and a field recording. Because of his religious beliefs, he would have also declined to knowingly be field recorded.

Janie

Subject: RE: Was My Grandpa Field Recorded?
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Jul 04 - 03:37 PM

If you go to this site at the Library of Congress and enter "Kentucky" in the search box, you should find a slew of recordings listed. It's quite fascinating. I did one on Colorado and was amazed at the listings of early Native American and Mexican recordings. Incredible!

Good luck!

kat

Subject: RE: Was My Grandpa Field Recorded?
From: Arkie
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 08:32 PM

Berea College may also have an archive. That college has placed a major emphasis on traditonal Kentucky music and lifestyles for many years.

There is a campus at Bowling Green that has a program in folklore. I could not say whether it was associated with Western Kentucky.

Subject: RE: Was My Grandpa Field Recorded?
From: Nerd
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 08:17 PM

Yes, Western Kentucky University in (I think) Bowling Green.

Subject: RE: Was My Grandpa Field Recorded?
From: Janie
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 09:40 AM

Is WKU Western Kentucky University? I will definitely contact them and the Library of Congress after I try to get more information from my aunt. Thanks for your leads.

Karen--definitely look forward to seeing you at the Getaway.

Janie

Subject: RE: Was My Grandpa Field Recorded?
From: Nerd
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 02:54 AM

WKU also has an active folklore program, so you might want to check there.

Subject: RE: Was My Grandpa Field Recorded?
From: karen k
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 02:48 AM

Janie, You could try the Library of Congress, American Folklife Center http://www.loc.gov/folklife/
Jennifer Cutting or Joe Hickerson might be good contacts there. Hope you find something. That would be wonderful. See ya at the Getaway.

karen

Subject: RE: BS: Was My Grandpa Field Recorded?
From: Janie
Date: 14 Jul 04 - 06:53 PM

His name was Henry F. Williams. Born 1896 in what is now Johnson Co., Ky. Died 1993. Lived at Flat Gap and Franks Creek. As a young man moved first to Ashland, Ky, and then to Huntington WV. Worked for the C&O Railroad. Very active in a succession of United Baptist Churches, all in or near Johnson Co. Kentucky, from his mid twenties right up until he died. I can get specific information about at least some of the churches he was involved with and their locations, if that would be helful. I didn't post this originally cuz I was just asking for ideas on how to go about sarching--but iffen anyone wants to help....:)

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: Was My Grandpa Field Recorded?
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 14 Jul 04 - 06:39 PM

Your grandpa's name would be helpful Janie ....

Subject: BS: Was My Grandpa Field Recorded?
From: Janie
Date: 14 Jul 04 - 06:24 PM

Anyone know how I might go about finding out if my grandfather was "field recorded" by a folklorist or other collector? I recently learned from my aunt that he was offered a contract to record his old stlye a capella singing of hymns used in the United Baptist Church, over in eastern Kentucky. (Probably Johnson or Lawrence Co.) She doesn't know or remember who made the offer or when it occurred. He declined because he though it would be sinful to do so.

It makes me wonder if he was heard, and perhaps recorded by a field collector. If so, I would dearly love to have a copy. Any ideas about how and/or where I can begin trying to research this?

Thanks.

Janie