Kentucky/Tennesee trad musicians

Subject: RE: Kentucky/Tennesee trad musicians
From: open mike
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 12:33 PM

It sounds like what you are gathering here, might be good to share with others! You will have some gems....i hope that you can find a way to let others in on this treasure you will be collecting!!

of course our own dear Jean Ritchie is from Viper, Perry Co KY . Jean Ritchie is in a rest home now, but her musical heritage is from that area, and i hope you might find some stories by and about her. there are some you tube clips of family gatherings and music.

John Hartford had a great love for the rare and nearly forgotten fiddle tunes of the Appalachians and Missouri foothills. He has
an extensive collection, and some can be found on his web page.
He has stories and songs from Ed Fraley and other fiddlers.

good luck in your search...you can be the Alan Lomax or Songcatcher of our times!

Subject: RE: Kentucky/Tennesee trad musicians
From: GUEST,Jayto
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 11:56 AM

Oh yeah I forgot I got so focused on the link. Thank M.Ted no I didn't know about that I appreciate it. I was so focused on clicking the link while I wrote the other post I forgot to thank you for it haha. So to say the least you had me interested the second I saw it. Thanks

Subject: RE: Kentucky/Tennesee trad musicians
From: GUEST,Jayto
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 11:54 AM

Just wondering I am from the Hopkins/Muhlenberg county area. Madisonville is the closest town of any size around if you want to call it that. Central City is the 2nd closest but both are not big at all haha.

Subject: RE: Kentucky/Tennesee trad musicians
From: M.Ted
Date: 05 Mar 10 - 11:40 AM

Do you know about the DK Wilgus Collection at the Hutchins Library at Berea College?   He was the man who wrote the book about collecting folksongs in America (literally--Anglo-American Folksong Scholarship Since 1898), and he did most of his work in Western Kentucky. Here is a listing of what's there, which is a lot Archive of DK Wilgus Collection

Subject: RE: Kentucky/Tennesee trad musicians
From: GUEST,Just wondering?
Date: 04 Mar 10 - 10:34 PM

Where was that small coal mining town in Western KY I may have some stories. I was born & raised in Western KY & my Daddie was a coal miner for 50 years. His Daddy, Grandpa to me, played a banjo. Let me know it I can help?

Subject: RE: Ky/Tn trad musicians
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 24 Feb 10 - 07:01 PM

"The last time I saw him he was eighty,
I was grown and he was almost gone.... " Guy Clark

this one's worth another ride around

Subject: RE: Ky/Tn trad musicians
From: the Folk Police
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 02:57 PM

Clack Mountain String Band

Morehead Old Time Fiddlers Convention

Kentucky Wild Horse

Roan Mountain Hilltoppers

Subject: RE: Ky/Tn trad musicians
From: fretless
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 02:04 PM

Well, if you don't mind driving toward the east, they still have Friday night O/T dances in Floyd, VA, at the Floyd Country Store.

Subject: RE: Ky/Tn trad musicians
From: Jayto
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 01:21 PM

Thank you. I grew up in Western Kentucky and learned to play from some old men that used to gather at a barn in my hometown every Friday night. The town I grew up in is a small coal mining community and has a population of less than 1000 so Friday night was a big deal. I took for granted back then the significance of the weekly jam sessions. Years passed by and I lost touch. Then when I wanted to return and hear the songs and stories I found that most of the men had passed on. It really bothered me and so now I am determined to preserve as much as I can for my kids and future grandkids. Whoa sorry I am jumping up on a soap box haha. I have to watch because I am passionate about the preservation and the continuation of the process. Thank you for any suggestions I really appreciate it.

Subject: RE: Ky/Tn trad musicians
From: fretless
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 01:14 PM

Try Richard Blaustein, now retired from East Tennessee State University. Folklorist and a great fiddle player.

Subject: RE: Ky/Tn trad musicians
From: Jayto
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 12:47 PM

Thanks Russ I appreciate the suggestion.

Subject: RE: Ky/Tn trad musicians
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 12:47 PM

There's also Ron Penn at the University of Kentucky. Google "Ron Penn University of Kentucky".

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: Ky/Tn trad musicians
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 12:42 PM

You might try contacting Jeff Titon at Brown University. Google "Jeff Todd Titon".

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: Ky/Tn trad musicians
From: Jayto
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 12:30 PM

Are there any trad musicians here in the area of central and western Ky or middle and northwestern Tennessee that know the old traditional songs of the area? Also is there anyone in the areas mentioned that know local history and folklore stories that would want to share these songs and/or stories. I am not really interested in the tales you find in history books. I am wanting to learn more about the more forgotten and offbeat type tales. I travel all around Ky collecting stories and music from older musicians and people (well non musical people) just as a personal archive. It is not a project for any book or funded by anyone besides me and the gas money I put in my car haha. I just want to preserve as much of the culture as I can. This is the area I am from and my family is from and I have a very profound respect for the people and area. If anyone may be interested please contact me. I am currently recording the daughter of Mose Rager. Her father Mose Rager is regarded as the Father of Western Kentucky Thumbpicking guitar. I am always searching for musicians that play songs that originated in this area or older people that have an extensive knowledge of events, folk tales, and even just everyday life experiences from years ago. I have never posted anything on here like this and even though I love MC and have made some WONDERFUL friends on here I doubt I will have much luck. I am hoping though to find at least one person. I am adding a link to a youtube site that shows 2 musicians from Bumpus Mills Tennessee. Bumpus Mills is just across the state line of Ky/Tn hope you enjoy.
Dan Wallace and Jon Farrell 'The Big Elk' from Bumpus Mills Tn.