Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels

Subject: Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels
From: John Minear
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 12:11 PM

I'm interested in traditional music that comes from Madison County, North Carolina. One person I keep hearing about is Obray Ramsay. I have been unable to track down any of his albums in any form. I am especially interested in finding a copy, or a copy of a copy, of "OBRAY RAMSAY SINGS FOLKSONGS FROM THE THREE LAURELS". If anybody can help me find this I would appreciate it. I would pay for taping, postage, etc. Here is a site that lists some particulars about this album: Obray Ramsay. Also, I'm interested in knowing more about this man and his work.

Subject: RE: Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels
From: John Minear
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 12:13 PM

When you hit the blue clicky on "Obray Ramsay" it brings up a big download. Just hit cancel and it will bring up the information.

Subject: RE: Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 12:18 PM

I have one Obray Ramsey album.."Blue Ridge Banjo"...I 'think' it is called.... It has "Song of the French Broad River" on it, which was discussed in an earlier thread...

Subject: RE: Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 02:08 PM

"Obray Ramsey Sings Folksongs from The Three Laurels" is an LP record, Prestige-International, INT 13020. 15 songs on it.

Subject: RE: Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 04:28 PM

Perhaps my all time fave record (or at least in the top twenty five) I'd make you a copy, but I'm afraid the person I loaned it to, never gave it back.

A great singer and player.

Rick

Subject: RE: Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels
From: BanjoRay
Date: 21 Sep 02 - 08:49 PM

If you go here and play the given program, then move the timer to 1:55:00 you'll hear the last bit of Grateful Dead playing Rain and Snow, followed immediately by Obray Ramsey doing the same song, which he wrote. Nice voice and lovely banjo.

Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels
From: John Minear
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 07:12 AM

Thanks, everybody. Mention of this album shows up often enough for me to hope that someone may have it or may have access to it and I will eventually get a copy. Keep up all the good works. Did anybody know Obray Ramsay or ever meet him? Are there some stories about him? How did he get recorded? Did someone "find" him down in Madison County, or did he go out into the world on his own? T.

Subject: RE: Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 02:23 PM

Obray was encouraged by Allan Lomax to drop the guitar for the banjo, as far as accompaniements go. He was a fan of Bluegrass (this would have been in the late forties and early fifties) and ended up being possibly the ONLY mountain singer accompanying himself with 'Scruggs rolls'. Sandy Paton told me that one of Obray's occupations was training guard dogs.

Cheers

Rick

Subject: RE: Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels
From: georgeward
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 01:26 AM

T.O.M. pm me a mailing address, or e-mail it directly to me at: [e-mail], and I'll send you the cassette dub of 'Three Laurels' that now sits on my desk. Not only vinyl, but mono!! There's some surface noise, but it is all there.

I'd forgotten what a fine singer he was and how much of an impression the album made on me. Rick's note above doesn't overrate it. -George

Subject: RE: Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels
From: John Minear
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 07:35 AM

George, thanks so much. I've sent you an email. And thanks to the rest of you for your help. I'm still interested in any other information anyone may have about Obray Ramsay.

Subject: RE: Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels
From: Jeep man
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 06:37 PM

I was born in Madison and have known of Mr. Ramsy for most of my life. FYI The "Three Laurels" are probably the 3 Laurel rivers. Big Laurel, Little Laurel and Shelton Laurel. I grew up trout fishing in them.

There is also, Upper Laurel, Lower Laurel, Soddam Laurel and probably more communities with the Laurel name. Jeep

Subject: RE: Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels
From: John Minear
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 10:20 PM

Jeep, I had an opportunity to drive through that country about two months ago. I was down in Asheville and decided to drive back up along Shelton Laurel over the mountain to Erwin. It was early in the morning, misty on the mountains and beautiful. And, a year ago last spring in 2001, I took a walk down the AT from Virginia to Georgia. The Trail from Sam's Gap to Hot Springs was especially nice along the ridge above the Big Laurel. Some mighty fine music has come out of that area. I had an opportunity to meet Sheila Adams when I was down in North Carolina and to take a workshop with her on unaccompanied ballad singing. She was amazing. It is fascinating to follow a ballad from the time Cecil Sharp collected it to hearing her sing it now, through four or five generations. And to actually hear a number of different recordings of it over several generations from the Wallins, Dellie Norton, and all the others down there. I'm glad to know that even though most of the old timers are gone now that their music can still be heard, live and through the recordings. I'd love to hear any stories you might want to tell. T.

Subject: RE: Obray Ramsay and the Three Laurels
From: Jeep man
Date: 23 Sep 02 - 10:34 PM

Turtle, thats a wonderful note. I do indeed hava a few tales. Later, Jeep