Living Singers of Traditional Ballads - N. America

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: GUEST,Cookieless KathWestra at work
Date: 23 Nov 04 - 09:51 AM

And Jeff Davis, too! Thanks, Allison for reminding everyone about Jeff Warner.

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: John Minear
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 08:20 AM

As of this morning, Wednesday, November 24, ….

Jean Ritchie, Sheila Kay Adams, Charlie Baum, Phyllis Marks, Elizabeth LaPrelle, Sandy LaPrelle, Ginny Hawker, Bobby MacMillan, Judy Cook, Patty Tutty, Ian Robb, Karen Kobela, Tim Eriksen, Molly Andrews, Doc Watson, Ralph Stanley, Norman Kennedy, Rita Ferrara, Mary Smith, Joe Hickerson, Helen Schneyer, Margaret MacArthur, Sandy and Caroline Paton, Art Thieme, John Roberts and Tony Barrand, Lisa Null, Phil Cooper and Margaret Nelson, Cindy Mangsen, Sue West, Joanie Bronfman and Neal MacMillan, Ed Trickett, Betty Smith, Kathy Westra, Becky Kimmons, Tom Gibney, Faith Petric, Sue Matthieu, Bill Day, Mark Gilston, Susan Friedman, Ed O'Reilly, Andy Wallace and his wife Sondra, Mary LaMarca and George Stephens, Custer LaRue, Melissa Weaver Dunning, Chris Noyes, Molly Andrews, Carol Ponder, Colleen Cleveland [and her nephew James], Anita Best, Lorraine Hammond, April Grant, Julia Friend, Don Firth, Nancy Quense, Peggy Seeger, Heather Wood, Gordon Bok, Ann Mayo Muir, Tamara Sheen, Mike Seeger, Jody Stecher, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Ellen Gozion, Debra Cowan, Acie Cargill, Phyllis Boyens, Dwight Diller, Diane Jones, Bob Heyer, Laura Boosinger, Susan Brown, Tracy Schwarz, Mary Jane Queen, Ed Miller, Cindy Kallet, Carly Gewirz, Linda Rice-Johnston, Lorraine Van Buren, Jennifer Woods, Jerry Epstein, Dick Swain, Nancy Mattila, Susan of DT, Dick Greenhaus, Tom Paley, John Cohen, Sharyn Dimmick, Sadie Damascus, Blessings Barbara, Lani Herrmann, Julie Henigan, Nancy-Jean Ballard Seigel, Ruth Perry, Deb Flanders, Dan and Bonnie Milner, Becky Nankivell, John Bartlett, Rika Ruebsaat, Paddy Graber, "at least one hundred people at our annual family reunion" – Jean Ritchie!, Kate Seeger, Fay Baird, Kim Wallach, Kate Spencer and her daughter Susannah Branch, George Ward, Riki Schneyer, Joan Sprung, Suzanne Mrozak, Joel Mabus, Dick Holdstock, Bob Walser, Wally Macnow, Berta Scott-Macnow, Priscilla Herdman, Cathy Barton and Dave Para,Judy Domeny Bowen, Lynn Wolz, Alex Usher, Paul and Win Grace, Clyde Faries, Sarah Grey, Sheryl Irvine, Deborraha Carbone, Andrew Calhoun, Bob Stuart, Jeff Warner, Jeff Davis

I appreciate all of these contributions. I'm certainly impressed with the numbers of people out there who are singing traditional ballads, and I'm sure there are many others that we haven't recollected yet. Is there any kind of organization, network, website, annual conference, newsletter, or anything that brings all of these people together or keeps them connected, along with all of those who love the ballads but don't sing them? What I'm interested in is the "handing on" of the ballad traditions, and how this is taking place. Living singers are the most important part of this. Those who support them and appreciate them and hear them are also very important. Sources are important. And perhaps connection and communication as well. Mudcat is one of the most important ways to gather all of us together. Are there others? Thanks to all who have helped with this. T.O.M.

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: KathWestra
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 08:29 AM

The website run by the late Bruce Olsen of Washington, DC, while not the "networking" tool that you asked about, was a tremendous scholarly reference source for many ballad enthusiasts, and Bruce's contributions here on the Mudcat contributed tremendously to the knowledge of those of us who are interested in traditional ballads. When he died last year, there was a plan to keep his website operating. Maybe someone who's checked more recently than I could put a link in this thread if this wealth of material is still available online. It's an incredible body of knowledge, lovingly compiled by a man who was a true lover of ballads (and other traditional songs of the British Isles).

And someone alluded to the ballad listserv. That's supposed to be a good group. My own impatience with spending too much time staring at a computer screen has precluded my being involved in that one, but I hear good things from those who do participate.

---

Bruce Olsen's Website is now available at Mudcat: (click).
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: georgeward
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 01:35 PM

Shouldn't Jack Langstaff be on the list ? Still living, I believe ?

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: GUEST,Cookieless KathWestra at work
Date: 24 Nov 04 - 03:59 PM

Jack's very much alive and should definitely be on the list! That's why this is a collaborative effort, George. The recall in individual middle-aged brains isn't as complete as it might be. Hope you're well!

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: karen k
Date: 25 Nov 04 - 12:34 AM

Unless I've overlooked him I don't see Cliff Haslam, a Brit but he has lived in the US for many, many years. Also, Judy Predmore and the Kossoy sisters from Boston. They sing ballads don't they?

k

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: GUEST,mad nell so wry
Date: 04 Dec 04 - 12:31 AM

well, now.. how about
~ carrie norris of kentucky
~ w.k. (bill) mcneil of arkansas
these fine singers were alive last time i saw them.
carrie's grandmother was a member of
'the coon creek girls'.
mr. mcneil has authored many books, including
'southern folk ballads' volumes I & II.
and oh boy, he can really render the old songs!
~ m

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: GUEST,Jack Beck
Date: 04 Dec 04 - 11:18 AM

I'll be living in Florida from 15th December - can I join the list?

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 03:00 PM

T.O.M- You're sure to be getting shouts for months yet. Here's mine: LOUIS KILLAN!

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: GUEST,jerry weene
Date: 10 Feb 05 - 11:47 AM

happy to see there is ballad interest--don't forget rick lee(alive and singing with 5-string & keyboard) a great writer of Natick historical song and a vibrant balladeer--and of course, Gordon Bok if you missed him. On this thread, i may try to revitalize the ballad/blues/bluegrass coffeehouse which got burned down in 1999 in Waltham. There are certainly enough ballad singers out there--we had over 200 performers without repeats thru several years. Live at the Luthiers was started circa 1995 to help pay for an 800 sq.ft. performing space at 99 Moody Street. A 2000 sq ft space is avbailable on Adams St. Lexington/Burlington Line with 100 parking spaces--it's industrial but elegant. Do enough people want to comment on availability to earn at least 50% of the Door while rebuilding a 24/7/365 folklore center? My part is to move my burned out fiddle building shop to a secure and interesting location. Find me at [e-mail]. Ballad collection over 100 primary sources.

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: sharyn
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 11:12 PM

John, I just found this thread -- I hope you are still around.

I formed a Ballad Group some years ago in Berkeley, CA, specifically for a place to sing traditional ballads (Child, broadsides, American murder ballads (e.g "Pretty Polly") and blues ballads ("Po' Laz'rus," "Delia"). The group is still running, meets once a month in Berkeley. Our most regular singers are myself (Sharyn Dimmick), Elaine Belkind, Mary O'Brien, Bill Moore (aka "toadfrog"), Toni Gross and Malcolm Rigby. We also include Robert Rodriguez of New York City, who should be on your list, Marlene McCall, Sylvia Herold, Ed Silberman and John F. Garcia. Rarely attending, but still on our list, are Robin Dolan, Richard Adrianowicz (aka "radriano") and Carol Denney.

There is a young singer in San Francisco called Amelia Hogan, who sings ballads.

I myself have been singing ballads since childhood -- Scottish, American, English and Afro-American, as has Sadie Damascus. I learn my ballads from recordings, old and new, from other singers and "by osmosis" from the ballad group.

Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat of Vancouver, B.C. are great resources (as well as great singers) who have a ballad archive and know many B.C. ballad singers.

There is a man in Fresno, CA, with some kind of ballad index or project: David somebody-or-other (I only met him once, but someone might know who I mean)

Sharyn

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: Tig
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 07:58 PM

Don't forget Dan Keding of Illinois. Not only a prodigious story teller but a fine ballad singer.
http://www.dankeding.com/

The Badger

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 13 Mar 06 - 09:20 PM

Aubrey Atwater (R.I.) [who hasn't been noted yet]

Ballad-L at https://listserv.indiana.edu/archives/ballad-l.html

And if you come to the Getaway this coming Fall, I can promise you several hours of ballad sessions.

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: John Minear
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 07:03 AM

I'm glad to see some more additions to this "collection" of ballad singers and lovers! And I am glad to see that "traditional ballad singing" is being defined broadly. It is good to know about the opportunities to gather and to do so on a regular basis in situations other than music camps and class settings.

[To avoid possible confusion, as of the first of the year, I decided to take Malcolm's advice and be myself - John Minear, aka T.O.M. the "Turtle Old Man".]

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: jacqui.c
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 07:29 AM

In South Portland Mainw we have a monthly song circle covering a variety of folk muaic including the traditional ballads.

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: GUEST,Bob Coltman
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 08:08 AM

Hesitantly I put myself forward as part of the ballad crew.

I have sung and loved the traditional ballads since I was about 12, some 55 years ago, many of them sung to me on collecting trips in the south by the oldtime singers like Horton Barker, Buell Kazee, Bascom Lamar Lunsford and so on.   Others I learned in song circles in New England, Wyoming and California.

Salt Water Sea (Lady Ishbel and the Elf-Knight), False Knight on the Road, Barbara Ellen, Lord Thomas and Fair Elinor, Two Magicians, Lord Bateman, Golden Willow Tree, Cherry Tree Carol, Bow and Balance (Two Sisters), Georgie O (Geordie), Little Margaret, Great Silkie, Old Bangham, plus non-Child ballads like Johnny Dorrall/Doyle, Far Fanil Town, William Reilly and Colleen Bawn, and Young and Growing, are only a few of many I love and still sing. I no longer perform publicly, and thus really don't count among your current singers, but I still sing the ballads for myself -- I wouldn't be without them.

Then too back in the early 70s I was guilty of issuing an LP of reworked Child ballads called "Son of Child" -- Devil in the Garden (Riddles Wisely Expounded), Patrick Spencer (Sir Patrick Spens), Chevy Chase, Red Robber (Jellon Grame), Don't You Know Your Old Sweetheart the Best (Hind Horn), Heist Her in the Basket (Keach in the Creel), Johnny Armstrong's Last Goodnight, and a bunch of others.

Some of my ballad versions are still circulating. My version of "Sheath and Knife," called "Rosianne," has lately been recorded by Sara Grey, who should be on any list of current ballad singers. Jean Redpath recorded my "Captain Hanley and Sweet Mazie" (Captain Wedderburn's Courtship), and others of my versions have been covered by other revival singers.

A side note: I'm now preparing a biography of a 1950s revival singer, Paul Clayton, who loved and sang the old Anglo-American ballads. Paul put a good many of them on record for the Stinson, Folkways, Riverside, Elektra and Tradition labels, bringing them alive for people of the midcentury, some of whom picked them up and carried them on.

The ballads are the interior furnishings of my life.

Bob

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 11:43 AM

oh, indeed, Bob! Can't imagine why you were missed earlier.

It's good to read more & more names from around the country..(and the world)...might serve to create some new groups & associations as people travel.

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: sharyn
Date: 14 Mar 06 - 10:09 PM

Hi Bob --

Just wanted to say that "Patrick Spencer" is my favorite re-working of a traditional ballad: I loved it the moment I heard it and have sung it for years and even have the temerity to sing it at my traditional ballad group. I'm also partial to "Lonesome Robin," although I don't yet sing it. Good to have you here.

Sharyn Dimmick

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: bbc
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 08:52 AM

After my recent meeting with Sheila Kay Adams, I was happy to find this thread!

bbc

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 10:56 AM

Some years ago now, at a British folk club that I attend regularly, I heard a very fine American singer and musician called Kate Lissauer. I'm sure she sang some ballads at that session - and there are 2 or 3 on her CD 'Ain't no Grave' (wild CD 19802, 1998). Does anyone know if she's still singing?

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: Lighter
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 11:09 AM

Cool.

How many 'Catters sing ballads outside of "venues"? You know, like the people Sharp recorded?

And what ballads?

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: Barry Finn
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 12:15 PM

What's a Child Ballad?

Barry

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: curmudgeon
Date: 11 Aug 09 - 02:12 PM

Babes In the Wood?

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 01:53 PM

Dick Miles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0zAr1t6nTE&feature=channel_page

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: The Sandman
Date: 12 Aug 09 - 01:58 PM

My apologies,did not read residing in NorthAmerica,that also rules out Louis Killen,unless Gateshead,has become the 51st state.

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: Joybell
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 01:25 AM

True-love -- Hildebrand -- would belong here if he was still in the country of his birth. He's not but I'd like to add him to the list anyway. Is that OK?
Cheers, Joy

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads
From: Joybell
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 01:27 AM

Perhaps "in North America" needs to be added to this thread title?
Joy who thought she'd belong here but doesn't.

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads - N. America
From: My guru always said
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 03:22 AM

As far as I know Barry (and I'm merely a Baby in the folk world) the Child Ballads are a collection of songs collected by a guy called Child, this should explain better!

And here's a list of Child Ballads and what's been done with them!

Hope this helps...

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads - N. Ame
From: John Minear
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 07:50 AM

Having just returned from another fine week at Augusta Heritage's "Vocal Week", where I heard many fine ballads being sung, I am glad to see that this thread is still alive and well. One of the exciting things that I learned at Augusta is that Sheila Kay Adams has taken on six apprentice singers and is teaching them her ballad traditions. I would especially mention Judy Rhodes, who was traveling with her. I believe that the two of them were also at Pinewoods.

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads - N. America
From: Lighter
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 02:53 PM

Am so impressed by the tiny number of replies to my upthread query that I wonder if my gut feeling is correct:

That hardly anyone, even around here, sings 17th-19th Century ballads except in a classroom or in front of a mike.

Can it be? Should this be the start of new thread?

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads - N. America
From: Barry Finn
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 03:16 PM

Hi Hillary, I had my tongue in cheek when I asked "what's a Child Ballad?"
I'd say Lighter that their are plenty of folks that still sing Child ballads. As a lovers of ballads & as one who loves to sing them & hear them. I do them them a-plenty but it's not all that common to hear them anymore or where one gets the opportunity to sing them in venues where you'd find a general public willing to sit through them. Example; as Curmudgeon mentioned way above while we have plenty of those in the the Southeastern area of NH that sing ballads (not just Child either) but you may not hear them often unless they get together at sessions or such that aren't run by the instrumentalists. It takes a bit more than the average music lover has to sit through a bunch of ballads singers though some could do it for days on end, me being one. The weekly or monthly venues I go to folks don't want to sit through them but if I'm at a musical weekend like the getaway or the like, ballads could get sung all night non stop by a host of singers, many who post here.

Start a new thread

Barry

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads - N. America
From: Jon Bartlett
Date: 13 Aug 09 - 11:00 PM

Rika Ruebsaat and I are now from Princeton, BC, where our Festival next weekend will feature a Ballad Session. Please add from Vancouver, BC: Simon Trevelyan, Marian Buechert, Pat Howard, Brian Robertson; from Victoria, BC, Nell & Laurie Postans, Sharon Hazelwood; from Yellowknife, NWT, Moira Corrigan; from Athabasca, Alberta, Rosaleen Gregory; from Toronto, Lorne Brown; from Newfoundland, Jim Payne. There's must be hundreds more in Canada.

Note also that the balladlist run by Marge out of Indiana U. [e-mail] has its British counterpart in the Sheffield list: contact [e-mail]

Jon Bartlett

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads - N. America
From: BrujaHa
Date: 20 Oct 09 - 03:18 PM

Howdy - just found this thread. I've had the pleasure of singing with a couple of trad sing-n-eat gatherings at peoples' houses around the greater SF Bay area, including the group Sharyn Dimmick mentions. It's a wonderful, and free, way to further the art form. Similarly, Ed Silberman runs an informal eve of "sing, say or play" which isn't centered on, but does heartily welcome, long bleak ballads.

I would like to add to this list of ballad lovers the amazing harmony singer Arlene Immerman, Peter Kasin, Riggy Rackin, Brigid Herron, and myself, Tina Fields. I'll be leading song again at the Queer Contradance Camp in Monte Toyon, CA next April 2010, and some trad ballads will be featured in the singalong mix.

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads - N. America
From: GUEST,Rosalie Friend
Date: 20 Oct 09 - 11:10 PM

Did anyone mention David Jones? Lorraine and Bennett Hammond? I saw Julia Friend mentioned; her father, Alan Friend, has been singing ballads longer than she has.
    I saw one reference to Folk Music Week at Pinewoods Camp. Folk Music week must be emphasized as an superb opportunity to sit around and sing traditonal ballads. Many of the people mentioned above from the D.C. area attend Pinewoods Camp for Folk Music Week, and quite a few of the people mentioned above have been on the staff.
    The Eisteddfod, the Festival of Traditional Music which was just held (Oct. 16-18) had five sessions of ballads. The performers living on this side of the pond were: Alan Friend, Norman Kennedy, Claire Boucher, Eva Gillorel, Sonja Savig, Olga Zaric, Lorraine and Bennett Hammond, Bill Vanaver, George Ward, Jerry Epstein, Paul Geremia, Dwayne Thorpe, Dave Howard, Jerry Devokaitis, Neil Rossi, John Roberts, David Jones, and Heather Wood. Many of these people were mentioned above, but it was great to be able to hear them one right after another. The Eisteddfod is now run by the Folk Music Society of New York, also known at the New York Pinewoods Folk Music Club. We have a lot of people who love to sing ballads.
    It is also kind of depressing to read earlier posts and see how many of those cited are no longer living. In particular Barry Finn who died Friday, and Mary LaMarca and Sandy Paton who both died about a month ago.
Rosalie Friend (now usually known as Julia's Mom)

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads - N. America
From: bbc
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 06:31 AM

Nice to see your post here & nice to put face to name at Eisteddtod this past Friday evening at the Folk Legacy table (talking about the song booklets). Thanks for your contribution to this thread.

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads - N. Ame
From: Susan of DT
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 08:15 AM

Lighter

I am not a performer, nor are several others mentioned in the thead (I'm mentioned twice, under both name and handle). I sing in a bunch of song circles. Silver Spring Maryland has a bunch of ballad singers, some professional and some not, who casually sing ballads at each other's houses, or so I was told.

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads - N. America
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 21 Oct 09 - 12:34 PM

Can be heard occasionally at West Virginia State Folk Festival (Glenville WV):
Ginny Hawker, Gail Hatton, Dwight Diller, Phyllis Marks.
Sometimes seen at the Fraley Festival (Carter Caves State Park, KY):
Diane Jones, Phil and Anne Case, Carrie Norris

Russ (Permanent GUEST and sometimes ballad singer)

Subject: New Year
From: GUEST,MarcusTeaf
Date: 30 Dec 09 - 12:16 PM

Hi how do you guys plan to start the new year?

Subject: RE: Living Singers of Traditional Ballads - N. America
From: Susan of DT
Date: 02 Mar 10 - 08:15 AM

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