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Archival processing of the Blanton Owen Collection was made possible through a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Size | 100 items |
Abstract | The Blanton Owen Collection consists of audio, motion picture films, and field notes, 1963-1971, created and compiled by folklorist, musician, and photographer, Blanton Owen (1945-1998). The audio recordings primarily feature Anglo-American old-time musicians from Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, including Hubert Caldwell, French Carpenter, Fred Cockerham (1905-1980), Mose Coffman, Virgil Craven (1902-1980), Burl Hammons, R. H. Haymore, John Hilt, Tommy Jarell (1901-1985), Taylor Kimble (1892-1979), Maggie Hammons Parker, Manco Sneed, Dan Tate, and Oscar Wright (1894-). Also included in the collection are audio recordings of a worship service at Little River Primitive Baptist Church. Of particular note are motion picture films, audio recordings, and field notes, 1971, associated with Blanton Owen's unfinished documentary film project that features Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cockerham playing music and conversing on Cockerham's porch in Low Gap, N.C. The collection also contains field notes created by Southern Folklife Collection staff that correspond to select audio recordings. These SFC field notes include performers' names, technical information about the tape, a brief description of contents, song titles, and tunings. |
Creator | Owen, Blanton, 1945-1998. |
Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection. |
Language | English |
Processed by: Anne Wells, March 2016
Encoded by: Anne Wells, March 2016
Archival processing of the Blanton Owen Collection was made possible through a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Back to TopThe following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
Blanton Owen (1945-1998) was a folklorist, musician, and photographer. He studied folklore at Indiana University and for nearly three decades engaged in the documentation of folklore and music in Appalachia, other sections of the South, and in the West.
Back to TopThe Blanton Owen Collection consists of 41 open reel audio recordings, 1963-1971, 10 motion picture films, 1971, and field notes, 1971, created and compiled by folklorist, musician, and photographer, Blanton Owen (1945-1998). Series 1 includes 10 motion picture film elements, 6 open reel audio recordings, and field notes, 1971, associated with Owen's unfinished documentary film project that features Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cockerham playing music and conversing on on Cockerham's porch in Low Gap, N.C. Series 2 includes 35 open reel audio recordings that primarily feature Anglo-American old-time musicians from Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Musicians featured on these audio recordings include Hubert Caldwell, French Carpenter, Fred Cockerham (1905-1980), Mose Coffman, Virgil Craven (1902-1980), Burl Hammons, R. H. Haymore, John Hilt, Tommy Jarell (1901-1985), Taylor Kimble (1892-1979), Maggie Hammons Parker, Manco Sneed, Dan Tate, and Oscar Wright (1894-). Also included in this series are 2 open reel recordings of a worship service at Little River Primitive Baptist Church (location unknown) and field notes created by Southern Folklife Collection staff that correspond to select open reel recordings. These SFC field notes include performers' names, technical information about the tape, a brief description of contents, song titles, and tunings.
Back to TopArrangement: By format.
Processing information: Titles compiled from the original containers and the field notes found in Folder 1.
Films, audio recordings, and field notes associated with Blanton Owen's unfinished documentary film project featuring Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cockerham playing music and talking on Cockerham's front porch in Low Gap, N.C. in the summer of 1971. Songs featured on the audio and film elements include, "Back-Step Cindy," "Breaking Up Christmas," "Cluck Old Hen," "Fall On My Knees," "Groundhog," "John Brown's Dream," "John Henry," "John Hard" "June Apple," "Let Me Fall," "Little Bunch of Keys," "Lonesome Road Blues," "Molly Put the Kettle On," "Reuben," "Sally Ann," "Soldier's Joy," "Suzanna Gal," and "Tippy Roll Down Your Bangs."
Owen recorded the image on 16mm film using two cameras and recorded the audio on 1/4" open reel using Nagra sync-sound. Owen then transferred these original 1/4" open reels to 16mm magnetic soundtrack for editing purposes. The series includes both these original 1/4" open reel audio recordings (FT-20027/16006-16011) and 16mm magnetic soundtrack film elements (F-20027/8-9) along with the original 16mm picture elements and outtakes (F-20027/1-7, F-20027/10), and field notes associated with the master 1/4" open reel audio recordings (Folder 1). The series also includes an edited ten minute segment that Owen created from original elements. This unsynced segment consists of a 16mm magnetic soundtrack (F-20027/9) and a 16mm reversal print (F-20027/10).
Film F-20027/1 |
Jarrell and Cockerham, Lowgap, N.C., July 1971. Close ups for fill16mm motion picture film Reversal Print 100 feet Color; Silent Filmed by Blanton Owen |
Film F-20027/2 |
Jarrell and Cockerham, Lowgap, N.C., July 197116mm motion picture film Reversal Print 100 feet Color; Silent Filmed by Blanton Owen |
Film F-20027/3 |
Jarrell and Cockerham, Lowgap, N.C., July 197116mm motion picture film Reversal Print 100 feet Color; Silent Filmed by Blanton Owen |
Film F-20027/4 |
Jarrell and Cockerham, Lowgap, N.C., July 197116mm motion picture film Reversal Print 100 feet Color; Silent Filmed by Blanton Owen |
Film F-20027/5 |
Jarrell and Cockerham, Lowgap, N.C., July 1971. Tommy singing at lot16mm motion picture film Reversal Print 100 feet Color; Silent Filmed by Blanton Owen |
Film F-20027/6 |
Jarrell and Cockerham, Lowgap, N.C., July 1971. Pan to house, stills of house16mm motion picture film Reversal Print 50 feet Color; Sound (magnetic) Filmed by Blanton Owen |
Film F-20027/7 |
Jarrell and Cockerham, Lowgap, N.C., July 1971. Tree outtake16mm motion picture film Reversal Print 5 feet Color; Sound (magnetic) Filmed by Blanton Owen |
Film F-20027/8 |
Jarrell and Cockerham, Lowgap, N.C., July 197116mm motion picture film Magnetic Soundtrack 200 feet Created by Blanton Owen |
Film F-20027/9 |
Jarrell and Cockerham, Lowgap, N.C., July 1971. Low Gap #2 Track16mm motion picture film Magnetic Soundtrack 800 feet Edited sound segment that corresponds to F-20027/10; Created by Blanton Owen |
Film F-20027/10 |
Jarrell and Cockerham, Lowgap, N.C., July 1971. Low Gap #2 Pix16mm motion picture film Reversal Print 800 feet Color; Silent Edited picture segment that corresponds to F-20027/9; Mix of silent and magnetic sound stripe film (majority silent); Filmed by Blanton Owen |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/16006 |
Jarrell and Cockerham #3, Lowgap, N.C., 8 July 19711/4" Open Reel Audio 5" reel Audio recording featuring Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cockerham; Recorded by Blanton Owen at the former home of Fred Cockerham in Lowgap, N.C. |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/16007 |
Jarrell and Cockerham #4, Lowgap, N.C., 8 July 19711/4" Open Reel Audio 5" reel Audio recording featuring Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cockerham; Recorded by Blanton Owen at the former home of Fred Cockerham in Lowgap, N.C. |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/16008 |
Jarrell and Cockerham #5, Lowgap, N.C., 8 July 19711/4" Open Reel Audio 5" reel Audio recording featuring Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cockerham; Recorded by Blanton Owen at the former home of Fred Cockerham in Lowgap, N.C. |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/16009 |
Jarrell and Cockerham #6, Lowgap, N.C., 8 July 19711/4" Open Reel Audio 5" reel Audio recording featuring Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cockerham; Recorded by Blanton Owen at the former home of Fred Cockerham in Lowgap, N.C. |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/16010 |
[Jarrell and Cockerham, Lowgap, N.C., July 1971]1/4" Open Reel Audio 5" reel Original container untitled and undated; Most likely an audio recording featuring Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cockerham |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/16011 |
[Jarrell and Cockerham, Lowgap, N.C., July 1971]1/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Original container untitled and undated; Most likely an audio recording featuring Tommy Jarrell and Fred Cockerham |
Processing information: Handwritten field notes were originally found inside FT-20027/16006, while the typed field notes were originally found in the Owen control file.
Folder 1 |
Field notes: FT-20027/16006-16011 |
Folder 2 |
Field notes: FT-20027/145-161 |
Folder 3 |
Field notes: FT-20027/162-179 |
Processing information: Titles and descriptions compiled from the SFC database and field notes. Folders 2 and 3 were formerly in Southern Folklife Collection Field Notes (#30025), folders 391 and 392.
35 open reel audio recordings that primarily feature Anglo-American old-time musicians from Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Musicians featured on these audio recordings include Hubert Caldwell, French Carpenter, Fred Cockerham (1905-1980), Mose Coffman, Virgil Craven (1902-1980), Burl Hammons, R. H. Haymore, John Hilt, Tommy Jarell (1901-1985), Taylor Kimble (1892-1979), Maggie Hammons Parker, Manco Sneed, Dan Tate, and Oscar Wright (1894-). Also included are 2 open reel recordings of a worship service at Little River Primitive Baptist Church (location unknown) and field notes created by Southern Folklife Collection staff that to the open reel recordings found in the series. These field notes include performers' names, technical information about the tape, a brief description of contents, song titles, and tunings.
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/145 |
Vergil Craven on fiddle and hammered dulcimer, Cedar Falls, N.C., 19701/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Old-time fiddle solos played by Vergil Craven of Cedar Falls, N.C.; Recorded by Blanton and Malcolm Owen; Fiddle tuned EADG throughout Songs performed by Vergil Craven (age 68) in the following order: "Lost Indian," "Indian Nation," "Mississippi Sawyers," "Lost Indian," "Fisher's Hornpipe," "Green Mountain Polka," "Leather Breeches" (e3 parts), "Chicken Reel," "Chinky Pin," "Liberty," "Eighth of January," "Don't Love Nobody," "Devil's Dream," "Up Jumped Trouble," "Cotton Eyed Joe, " "Ragtime Annie," "Dutchman's Dog Waltz," "Kiss Waltz," "Irish Washerwoman," "Italian Waltz," and "Silver Bells" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/146 |
Joseph Aiken on fiddle and banjo, Rougemont, N.C., 4 May 1970: reel 1 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Joseph Aiken of Rougemont, N.C. playing old-time fiddle solos and both two-finger and clawhammer style banjo styles; Recorded by Blanton and Malcolm Owen Songs performed by Joseph Aiken in the following order: "Cripple Creek," "Nellie Grey," "Intoxicated Rat," "Redwing," "Georgia Buck," "Little Brown Jug," "Old Time Religion," "Georgia Road (It Ain't Gonna Rain no Mo')," "Cindy," "Going Down to Town," "Hook and Line," "Jesse James" (performed twice), "Black Jack Daisy (Black Jack David)," unidentified song, "Where is the Finger Ring I Gave You?," "John Hardy," "Georgia Road," "Cindy (Get Along Home, Cindy, Cindy)" (performed twice), "Old Red Wing,", "The Wreck of the Old Ninety-seven," "Soldier's Joy," "Old (Little) Brown Jug," and "Maggie" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/147 |
Joseph Aiken on fiddle and banjo, Rougemont, N.C., 4 May 1970: reel 2 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Joseph Aiken of Rougemont, N.C. playing old-time fiddle solos and both two-finger and clawhammer style banjo styles; Recorded by Blanton and Malcolm Owen; Fiddle tuned EADG throughout Songs performed by Joseph Aiken in the following order: "Sweet Bye and Bye" (performed twice), "Georgia Buck" (performed twice), "Where is the Ringer Ring I Gave You?," "Jesse James," "Yankee Doodle," "Going Down the Road Feeling Bad (Lonesome Road Blues)," "Greenville," "Wreck of the Old 97," "Amazing Grace," "Yankee Doodle," "Somebody Stole My Dog, I Wish He'd Bring Him Back" (performed twice), "Georgia Road (It Ain't Gonna Rain No More)," "Old Joe Clark," and "Yankee Doodle" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/148 |
Taylor Kimble on fiddle and Blanton Owen on banjo, Laurel Fork, Va., 1969; Frank Austin on fiddle, Galax Fiddlers' Convention, Galax, Va., August 19691/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel First few selections feature Taylor Kimble playing old-time fiddle accompanied by Blanton Owen on the banjo. Most of the tape contains fiddle solos by Frank Austin recorded at an informal session during the 1969 Galax Fiddlers' Convention. Music from the stage can be heard faintly in the background. The end of the tape contains a few solo banjo tunes by an unidentified banjo player; Kimble recorded by Blanton Owen; Austin recorded by Blanton and Malcolm Owen Songs performed by Taylot Kimble and Owen Blanton in the following order: "Eighth of January," "Don't Drink Nothin' but Corn," "Arkansas Traveler," "Rockingham Cindy," "Caro is the Cabbage Patch," "Whoa Mule," "Green Willis" (the Raw Recruit of Chapel Hill Serenade), "Johnny's Gone to War," and "Ark a Movin'" Songs performed by Frank Austin in the following order: "Stoney Point" (performed twice), "Arkansas Traveler," "Ragtime Annie" (performed twice), "Cabin Creek" (performed twice), "Fire on the Mountain (Granny Will Your Dog Bite)" (performed twice), "Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane," unidentified song, "Soldier's Joy" (performed twice), unidentified song, "Chicken Reel" (performed twice), "Turkey in the Straw" (performed twice), "Jennie Lynn," "Cynthie Sue" (performed twice), unidentified song, unidentified song, and "Mountain Green" (performed twice) Songs performed by unidentified banjo player in the following order: unidentified song, "Sandy River," and "Ruben" (performed twice) |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/149 |
Dan Tate on banjo and vocals, Fancy Gap, Va., 14 June 19701/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Old-time musician Dan Tate sings some old-time tunes while accompanying himself on the banjo (both two-finger and clawhammer styles). He also sings two unaccompanied traditional ballads; Recorded by Blanton Owen Songs performed by Dan Tate in the following order: "Stay and See the Water Fall," "Chuck Old Hen," "Story," "Old Mr. Rabbit," "Little Maggie," "Muck on My Heel," "Step Back Cindy," "Cousin Sally Brown," "Walk Jawbones," "Greasy String," "Boogerboo (Jolly Boatman)," "False Hearted Lover," "Cripple Creek," "Shoot a Little Rabbit Down (Big-Eyed Rabbit)," "Poor Ellen Smith," "Little Fisherman" (tune is "Groundhog"), "Old Grey Goose," "Shady Grove" (same tune as "Buggerboo"), "Snatch of Roustabout," "Susanna Gal," "Roustabout," "Shortenin' Bread," "Arkansas Traveler," "Round Town Girls" (performed twice), "Sweet Sunny South," unidentified song, "Two Sisters," and "Little Mohee" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/150 |
Vergil Craven on fiddle and hammered dulcimer, Cedar Falls, N.C., 1970: reel 1 of 31/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Old-time tunes performed on hammered dulcimer and fiddle by Vergil Craven of Cedar Falls, N.C.; Recorded by Blanton and Malcolm Owen Songs performed by Vergil Craven (age 68) in the following order: "Darling Chloe," "Mississippi Sawyer," "Hastle To the Wedding," "Whistle On My Way," "Chapel Hill Serenade," "Hop Light Ladies," "Leather Britches," "Bringing in the Sheaves," "Forked Deer," "Soldier's Joy," "Stoney Point," "Granny Will Your Dog Bite," "Bowling Pin Hornpipe," "Irish Washerwoman," "Eighth of January," "Walking in the Parlor" [?], "Lady of the Lake," "Walking in the Parlor" [?], "Maid of Athens" (performed twice), "Chinky Pin," "Turkey in the Straw," "Fire on the Mountain," and "When the Work's All Done Next Fall" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/151 |
Vergil Craven on fiddle and hammered dulcimer, Cedar Falls, N.C., 1970: reel 2 of 31/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Old-time tunes performed on hammered dulcimer and fiddle by Vergil Craven of Cedar Falls, N.C.; Recorded by Blanton and Malcolm Owen Songs performed by Vergil Craven (age 68) in the following order: Reel learned from song book, "Rickett's Hornpipe," "Pretty Fair Maid Jug," "Little Peggy's Jig," "Over the Waves," "Chinese Breakdown," "Cricket on the Hearth," "Listen to the Mockingbird," "Lee Highway Blues," "Old Joe Clark," "John Brown's March" (performed twice), "Kiss Waltz," "Golden Slippers," "Soldier's Joy," "Redwing," "Haste to the Wedding" "Chapel Hill Serenade," "Leather Britches," "Arkansas Traveler," and "Chinky Pin" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/152 |
Vergil Craven on fiddle and hammered dulcimer, Cedar Falls, N.C., 1970: reel 3 of 31/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Old-time tunes performed on hammered dulcimer and fiddle by Vergil Craven of Cedar Falls, N.C.; Recorded by Blanton and Malcolm Owen Songs performed by Vergil Craven (age 68) in the following order: "Snow Deer," "Sally Goodin," "Rubber Dolly," "Twinkle Little Star," "Tennessee Wagonner," "Cindy," Lady Jane Gay's Reel, "Katy Kline," Reel, "Shootin' the Bull," "Soldier's Joy," "Whistling Rufus," "The Girl I Left Behind Me," "Dolly-O," "Hand Me Down My Walking Cane," "Golden Slippers," "Forked Deer," "Sugar in the Gourd," "Bill Cheatham," "Flat Rock," and "Cedar Falls Breakdown" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/153 |
John Hilt on fiddle, Tannersville, Va., circa 1970: reel 1 of 61/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Mostly old-time fiddle tunes played by John Hilt of Tannersville, Va. The fiddle solos include some Stephen Foster songs and also some military anthems. Identified songs performed by John Hilt in the following order: "Cotton Eyed Joe," McClouds Reel, "Old Time Fox Chase," "Lost Indian," "Black Eyed Susie," "Arkansas Traveler," and "Turkey in the Straw" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/154 |
John Hilt on fiddle, Tannersville, Va., circa 1970: reel 2 of 61/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Mostly old-time fiddle tunes played by John Hilt of Tannersville, Va. The fiddle solos include some Stephen Foster songs and also some military anthems. Identified songs performed by John Hilt in the following order: "June Apple," "Eighth of January," "(Take Me Back To My) Carolina Home," "Carolina Moon," Kenny Wagner, and Floyd Collins |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/155 |
John Hilt on fiddle, Tannersville, Va., circa 1970: reel 3 of 61/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Mostly old-time fiddle tunes played by John Hilt of Tannersville, Va. The fiddle solos include some Stephen Foster songs and also some military anthems. Identified songs performed by John Hilt in the following order: "Harve Brown's Dream," "Cluck Old Hen," "Tennessee Waltz," "Footprints in the Snow," Casey Jones, "Ragtime Annie," "Wildwood Flower," and "Careless Love" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/156 |
John Hilt on fiddle, Tannersville, Va., circa 1970: reel 4 of 61/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Mostly old-time fiddle tunes played by John Hilt of Tannersville, Va. The fiddle solos include some Stephen Foster songs and also some military anthems. Recording ends with discussion of music in general. Identified songs performed by John Hilt in the following order: "Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight," "Dixieland," "Yankee Doodle," "Caissons Go Rolling Around," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "My Old Kentucky Home," "Swanee River," and "Buffalo Gals" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/157 |
John Hilt on fiddle, Tannersville, Va., circa 1970: reel 5 of 61/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Mostly old-time fiddle tunes played by John Hilt of Tannersville, Va. The fiddle solos include some Stephen Foster songs and also some military anthems. Recording begins with discussion of fiddlers, dances and dancers, and source of tunes. Identified songs performed by John Hilt in the following order: "Cotton Eyed Joe" (key of G), "Cotton Eyed Joe" (key of A), "Cindy," "Wild Hog in the Red Brush," "Walking in the Parlor," "The Snoring Widow," and "I am a Rovin' Gambler" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/158 |
John Hilt on fiddle, Tannersville, Va., circa 1970: reel 6 of 61/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Mostly old-time fiddle tunes played by John Hilt of Tannersville, Va. The fiddle solos include some Stephen Foster songs and also some military anthems. Identified songs performed by John Hilt in the following order: "Ebenezer," "Tom Dooley," "Golden Slippers," "Go Tell Aunt Sally (The Old Gray Goose)," "Sitting on Top of the World," "Possum Up a 'Simmon Tree," "Liza Jane," "John Hardy," "Irish Washerwoman," and "Arkansas Traveler" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/159 |
Unknown fiddler, date unknown1/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Old-time fiddle solos played by an unidentified musician Songs performed by unidentified musician in the following order: "Wild Horse," "Soldier's Joy," "Grey Eagle," "Billy in the Lowground," Bill Cheatham / "Boatman," Bill Cheatham, "Leaving Dear Old Ireland," and "Old Dan Tucker" [?] |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/160 |
Little River Primitive Baptist Church, date unknown: reel 1 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Field recording of a worship service at the Little River Primitive Baptist Church (location unknown). Includes hymns and sermon. Spoken parts of service are barely audible. |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/161 |
Little River Primitive Baptist Church, date unknown: reel 2 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Field recording of a worship service at the Little River Primitive Baptist Church (location unknown). Includes hymns and sermon. Spoken parts of service are barely audible. |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/162 |
String band music featuring Clyde Stephens, Alonzo Clark, Dan Hatchett, and Harvey Collins, June 1970: reel 1 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel String band featuring Clyde Stephens on fiddle, Alonzo Clark on guitar, and Dan Hatchett on the banjo. The second half of the tape contains old-time fiddle solos played by Harvey Collins. Location Unknown; Recorded by Blanton Owen Songs performed by string band in the following order: "Paddy on the Turnpick," "North Carolina Breakdown" (from Arthur Smith), "Cumberland Gap," "Brown's Ferry Blues" (Delmore Brothers), "Give the Fiddler a Dram," "Sweet Bunch of Daisies," unidentified song, "Forked Deer" (performed twice), and "Here and There" Songs performed by Harvey Collins in the following order: "Katy Hill," "After the Ball," "Trouble Among the Yearlings," "Half Foolish" (written by Alonzo Clark), "Mockingbird," unidentified song, unidentified song, "Smith's Rag," unidentified song, "Devil's Dream," and "Waltz" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/163 |
String band music featuring Clyde Stephens, Alonzo Clark, Dan Hatchett, and Harvey Collins, June 1970: reel 2 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel String band featuring Clyde Stephens on fiddle, Harvey Collins on fiddle, Alonzo Clark on guitar, and Dan Hatchett on the banjo. Location unknown; Recorded by Blanton Owen Songs performed by string band in the following order: "Chicken Reel," "Devil's Dream," "Kitty in the Fiddle Case" (performed 3 times), "Grey Eagle," "Tom and Jerry," "Dixieliner," "Bull Creek Gal," "Twinkle Little Star," "Flop Earred Mule," "God Loves His Children," "Alonzo's Boogie," "Watermelon Smilin' on the Vine," "Big Ball," "North Carolina Breakdown," "Wednesday Night Waltz," "Forked Deer," "Over the Waves," "Carrol Country Blues," "Sugar Tree Stomp," unidentified song, "Liberty" (performed twice), and "Soldier's Joy" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/164 |
The Hammons Family, Marlinton, W.Va., 1970: reel 1 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel The Hammons Family of Marlinton, W.Va. are represented here by Burl and Maggie Hammons. Burl Hammons plays clawhammer and 2-finger style banjo on one segment of the tape. Later he is featured playing fiddle accompanied first by Mose Coffman and then by Blanton Owen. Maggie Hammons sings traditional ballads; Recorded by Blanton Owen Songs performed by Maggie Hammons (vocal) in the following order: "Whoa Muley Whoa," "In Scotland Town," and "Young Henry" Songs performed by Burl Hammons (2-finger style 5-string banjo) in the following order: "Sugar Babe" or "Red Rocking Chair," unidentified finger picking song, unidentified finger picking song, unidentified clawhammer song, unidentified clawhammer song, "Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss," "Walking in the Parlor," and "Calloway" Songs performed by Maggie Hammons (vocal) in the following order: "In Scotland Town," and "Wife of Usher's Well, Child" Songs performed by Burl Hammons (fiddle), Mose Coffman (banjo), and Blanton Owen (banjo) in the following order: "Soldier's Joy," "Sourwood Mountain," "Sally Gooden," "Ruben," "Fire on the Mountain," "Rocky Mountain Goat," "Forked Deer," "Chicken Reel," and "Fine Times at our House" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/165 |
The Hammons Family, Marlinton, W.Va, 1970: reel 2 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel The Hammons Family of Marlinton, W.Va. are represented here by Maggie Hammons, who sings traditional ballads; Recorded by Blanton Owen Songs performed by Maggie Hammons (vocal) in the following order: fragment, "One Year When Bacon Was Scarce," and "Red Rode the Hills" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/166 |
Kyle Creed on fiddle and banjo, recorded near Galax, Va., 2 October 1970; Mose Coffman on fiddle, Buckeye Schoolhouse, Marlinton, W.Va., 29 October 1970: reel 1 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Three old-time fiddlers are represented on FT-20027/166 and FT-20027/167. On this recording, Kyle Creed of Galax, Va. plays both fiddle and banjo solos. Mose Coffman is recorded on fiddle and is backed at different times by either banjo or guitar (musician unidentified in both cases); Recorded by Blanton Owen Songs performed by Kyle Creed in the following order: "Cotton Eyed Joe" (performed twice), "John Brown's Dream," "Pretty Little Gal," "John Henry," "Cumberland Gap," "Pig in a Pen," "Rubber Dolly," and "Sally Goodin" Songs performed by Mose Coffman in the following order: "Boatman" (performed twice), "Jimmy Johnson" ("John Brown's Dream"), "Soldier's Joy," "Walking in the Parlor," "Forked Deer," "Mississippi Sawyers," "Over the Waves," "Rocky Mountain Goat," "Jenny Lynn Polka," "Leather Britches," unidentified song (performed twice), "George Washington's March," unidentified song, "Silver Lake," "Beaver Dam," unidentified song, "Sally Goodin," "Wild Horse," "Turkey in the Straw," "Round Town Girls," "Hop Light Ladies on the Ball Room Floor," "Red Wing," "Sugar in the Ground," "Dog Shit a Ryestraw" ("Dog Passed a Ryestraw" or "Joke on the Puppy"), "Who's Been Here Since I've Been Gone," "Sailor's Hornpipe," "Rickett's Hornpipe," and "Risher's Hornpipe" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/167 |
Mose Coffman on fiddle, Buckeye Schoolhouse, Marlinton, W.Va., 29 October 1970; Doc White on fiddle and banjo, Ivydale, W.Va., 1970: reel 2 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Three old-time fiddlers are represented on FT-20027/166 and FT-20027/167. On this recording, Mose Coffman is recorded on fiddle (a continuation from FT-20027/166). This is followed by Doc White playing both fiddle and banjo solos; Mose Coffman recorded by Blanton Owen, Doc White recorded by Blanton and Malcolm Owen Songs performed by Mose Coffman in the following order: unidentified song, "Irish Washerwoman," "Skip to My Lou," "Arkansas Traveler," "Under the Deep Blue Sea Waltz," and "Girl I Left Behind" Songs performed by Doc White in the following order: "Billy in Lowground," "Elzic's Farewell," unidentified song, "Little Rose," "Salt River" "Sixteen Days in Georgia," "Pidgeon on a Gate," "Tennessee Rounder," unidentified song, "Katy Kline," "McKinley in White House," "Pretty Polly", unidentified song, "Pretty Polly," unidentified song, "Shady Grove" (performed twice), "Cumberland Gap," "Salt River" (performed twice), and unidentified song (performed twice) |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/168 |
Earl Shatterly on fiddle, Alamance County, N.C., circa 19701/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Old-time fiddler Earl Shatterly plays about 30 fiddle tunes while accompanied by an unidentified banjo play (probably Blanton Owen) Identified songs performed by Earl Slatterly in the following order: "Old Joe Clark," "Cindy," "I Saw the Light," "Uncle Ben," "Cripple Creek," "Turkey in the Straw," "Arkansas Traveler," "Cattle Call," "Alabama Traveler," "Road House in Texas," "You Are My Sunshine," "Old Lady's Dance," "Too Young to Get Married," "Just Because," "Bill Baily," and "Throw Out the Life Line" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/169 |
French Carpenter on fiddle, Phoeba Parsons on banjo and straws, Jenes Cottrell on banjo and vocal, recorded near Ivydale, W.Va., 1963-1964: reel 1 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel A mix of old-time music played by musicians from the Ivy Dale community in West Virginia. The tape begins with fiddler French Carpenter playing with Phoeba Parsons on banjo (both fingerpicking and clawhammer style). Phoeba Parsons also contributes vocals and beating the straws (on fiddle strings) on a few tunes. This recording is followed by solos of French Carpenter on fiddle, and ends with a section of solos by Jenes Cottrell on banjo. These tapes (FT-20027/169-170) were made and recorded by Ken Davidson in 1963-4. Songs performed by French Carpenter (fiddle) and Phoeba Parsons (banjo) in the following order: "West Virginia Highway," "Cripple Creek," "Wild Horse," "Old Joe Clark," "Old Mother Flanagan" (performed twice), "Cotton Eyed Joe," "Birdie," "Big Eyed Rabbit," "West Fork Girls," "Minnow on Hook," "Curbstone," "Pretty Polly" (performed twice), "Arkansas Traveler," "Soldier's Joy," "Blue-Eyed Girl," "Billy in the Lowground," and "Cabin Creek" Songs performed by French Carpenter (fiddle) in the following order: "Walking in the Parlor" ("Trude Evans"), "Aunt Jenny," "Brushy Run," "Old Joe Clark," "Blue-Eyed Girl," and "Wild Horse" Songs performed by Jenes Cottrell (banjo and vocal) in the following order: "Little Brown Jug," "Minnow on the Hook," "Turkey in the Straw," and "Titanic" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/170 |
French Carpenter on fiddle, Phoeba Parsons on banjo and straws, Jenes Cottrell on banjo and vocal, recorded near Ivydale, W.Va., 1963-1964: reel 2 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel A mix of old-time music played by musicians from the Ivy Dale community in West Virginia. The tape begins with Jenes Cottrell on banjo. This is followed by French Carpenter on fiddle, and recordings of miscellaneous combinations, including banjo, mandolin, and guitar. The recording ends with more French Carpenter solos along with French Carpenter playing with Phoeba Parsons on banjo. Songs performed by Jenes Cottrell (banjo and vocal) in the following order: "New River Train," and "Cherry River Line" Songs performed by French Carpenter (fiddle) in the following order: "Yew Piney Mountain," "Shelvin' Rock," "Old Christmas Morning," and "Camp Chase" Songs performed by a miscellaneous combination of musicians in the following order: "Home Sweet Home," "Sally Goodin'," and "Using the Bible for a Road Map" Songs performed by French Carpenter (fiddle) in the following order: "Liza Jane," and "Forked Deer" Songs performed by French Carpenter (fiddle) and Phoeba Parsons (banjo) in the following order: "Sourwood Mountain," "Shortnin' Bread," "Boatman," unidentified song, "Soldier's Joy" (performed twice), "Shortnin' Bread" (performed twice), "Going Down to Town," "Coming Round the Mountain," "Marching Through Georgia," "Old Joe Clark," "Cindy," "Daddy Don't Go to the Mines Today," "For Chase," unidentified song, unidentified song, and "Billy in the Lowground" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/171 |
Manco Sneed on fiddle, Cherokee, N.C., 22 May 1970, 8 June 1970: reel 1 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel This tape features old-time fiddler Manco Sneed of Cherokee, N.C. playing solo fiddle tunes. His recording continues onto FT-20027/172; Recorded by Blanton Owen Identified songs performed by Manco Sneed (fiddle) in the following order: "Georgia Belles," "Snowbird," "Katy Hill," "Molly Put the Kettle On," "Katy Hill," "Nobody's Business What I Do," "Prettiest Little Gal in the Country," "Billy in the Lowground," "Paddy on the Turnpike," "Fiddler's Dream," "Blackberry Blossom," "Sally Johnson," "Newport Breakdown," "Billy in the Low Ground," "Katy Hill," "Sally Johnson," "Forks of Sandy," "Molly Put the Kettle On," and "Snowbird" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/172 |
Manco Sneed on fiddle, Cherokee, N.C., 8 June 1970; Norman Edmonds on fiddle, Blanton Owen on banjo, Nowell Creadick on guitar, Hillsville, Va., 13 June 1970: reel 2 of 31/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel This tape continues Manco Sneed's solo recording from FT-20027/171. This is followed by Norman Edmonds fiddling accompanied by Blanton Owen on banjo and Nowell Creadick on guitar. Mr. Edmonds is an old-time fiddler from Hillsville, Va. This session is continued onto tape FT-20027/173; Recoded by Blanton Owen Songs performed by Manco Sneed in the following order: "Georgia Belles," "Grey Eagle," "Rocky Palace," and "Billy in the Low Ground" Songs performed by Normon Edmonds (fiddle), Blanton Owen (banjo) and Nowell Creadick (guitar) in the following order: "Sally Goodin'" (performed twice), "Walking in the Parlour," "Lady of the Lake," unidentified song, "Sally Ann," "Arkansas Traveler," "Walking in the Parlour," "Skip to My Lou," "Pretty Little Girl," "Breaking Up Christmas," "Cold Frosty Morning," "Pretty Little Girl," "Ship a Sailing on the Ocean," "Cripple Creek," "Chinquapin Hunting," "8th of January," "Soldier's Joy," "Johnny's Gone to the War" (performed twice), and "Step Back Cindy" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/173 |
Norman Edmonds on fiddle, Blanton Owen on banjo, Nowell Creadick on guitar, Hillsville, Va., 13 June 1970; Robert Rich on fiddle, date unknown: reel 3 of 31/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel This tape continues the Norman Edmonds, Blanton Owen and Nowell Creadick's 13 June 1970 session from FT-20027/172. This is followed by a recording of fiddler Robert Rich playing solo old-time tunes; Recorded by Blanton Owen Songs performed by Normon Edmonds (fiddle), Blanton Owen (banjo) and Nowell Creadick (guitar) in the following order: "Western Country," unidentified song, "How Firm a Foundation," "Amazing Grace," "Round Town Girls," "Cousin Sally Brown," "Sally Ann," "Old Joe Clark," "Pretty Little Girl," "Cotton Eyed Joe," and "Pretty Little Girl" Songs performed by Robert Rich (fiddle) in the following order: "Mississippi Sawyer," "Blueberry Blossom," "Fisher's Hornpipe," "Durang's Hornpipe," "Irish Jig," "Paddy on the Turnpike," "Wheels," "Arkansas Traveler," "Cumberland Gap," "Katy Hill," "Over the Waves," "Wednesday Night Waltz," and "Little Stream of Whiskey" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/174 |
Oscar Wright on fiddle, banjo, and guitar, Princeton, W.Va., 1969.1/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Old-time fiddle, banjo, and guitar solos played by Oscar Wright of Princeston, W.Va. Some singing and some discussion of Henry Reed, a fiddler who influenced Oscar Wright; Recorded by Blanton Owen Songs performed by Oscar Wright in the following order: "Shootin' Creek," "Arkansas Traveler" (performed twice), unidentified song, "Red Mountain Polka," "Whistlin' Rufus," "Kitchen Girl," "Gentle Annie," "Wandering Cowboy," "San Fernando Valley Home," discussion of Henry Reed, "John Henry," "Cluck Old Hen," unidentified song, "Salt River," "What You Gonna Do With the Baby" "Shootin' Creek," "Jake Gilly," "Johnson Boys," "Keep Off the Grass," "Arkansas Traveler," "Gentle Annie," and "Sewannee River" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/175 |
Hubert Caldwell on fiddle, Hillsville, Va., summer 1969: reel 1 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Hubert Cladwell, a fiddler from Hillsville, Va., playing tunes he learned from the book 1000 Fiddle Tunes; Recorded by Blanton and Malcolm Owen Songs performed by Hubert Caldwell (fiddle) in the following order: "Fiddle Sticks Hornpipe," "Candlesnuffer's Reel," "Manchester Hornpipe," "Whistle Pig," "St. Pierre's Hornpipe," "Flowers of Edinburg," "Turnpike Reel," "Pidgeon on the Gate," "Dublin Lasses," "Nightingale Clog," "Great Western Clog," "Kayle Smith's Pastime," "Elks Festival Hornpipe," "Wide Awake Reel," "Harlecon Hornpipe," "Golden Tress Hornpipe," unidentified song, "Sally and Her Cripple Chickens," "Newcome Hornpipe," "Ladies Pantellettes," unidentified song, "Arkansas Traveler" (performed twice), "Rillen Hornpipe," "Rochester Schottische," "Gypsy Hornpipe," and "Arkansas Traveler" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/176 |
Hubert Caldwell on fiddle, Hillsville, Va., summer 1969; R.H. Haymore on fiddle, Winston Salem, N.C., 20 April 1969: reel 2 of 21/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Solo fiddle tunes from Hubert Caldwell continued from FT-20027/175 followed by a 20 April 1969 recording of R.H. Haymore on fiddle backed by unidentified bluegrass-style musicians on banjo and guitar at his home in Winston Salem, N.C.; Recorded by Blanton and Malcolm Owen Songs performed by Hubert Caldwell (fiddle) and unidentified accompaniment (banjo, guitar) in the following order: "Arkansas Traveler" (performed twice), "Molly Hare," "Olly Buell Hornpipe," "Little Black Mustache," "Burbank Reel," unidentified song, unidentified song, "Pappose Hornpipe," unidentified song, "Caldwell's Waltz," "Virginia Waltz," and "Leg-Horn Two Step" Songs performed by R.H. Haymore (fiddle) in the following order: "Snatch of Great Speckled Bird," "Stoney Point," "Fire on the Mountain," "Waterbound," "Chitterling Cookin' Time in Cheatham Co.," "Natural Bridge Blues," "Cripple Creek," and "Duck's Eyeball" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/177 |
R.H. Haymore on fiddle backed by 3-finger style banjo and guitar, Winston Salem, N.C., 20 April 1969: reel 1 of 31/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Old-time string band music featuring fiddler R.H. Haymore backed by unidentified bluegrass-style musicians on banjo and guitar at his home in Winston Salem, N.C.; Recorded by Blanton Owen Songs performed by Hubert Caldwell (fiddle) and unidentified accompaniment (banjo, guitar) in the following order: "Hell Among the Yearlings," "Forked Deer," "Twin Sisters," "Sally Ann," "Little Log Cabin in the Lane," "Cindy," "Mississippi Sawyer's," "Arkansas Traveler" (performed twice), "Ellen Smith," "Shanty Town," "Are You From Dixie" ("Alexander Ragtime Band"), "Walking in My Sleep," "Tennessee Blues," and "Don't Love Nobody" |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/178 |
R.H. Haymore on fiddle backed by 3-finger style banjo and guitar, Winston Salem, N.C., 20 April 1969: reel 2 of 31/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Old-time string band music featuring fiddler R.H. Haymore backed by unidentified bluegrass-style musicians on banjo and guitar at his home in Winston Salem, N.C.; Recorded by Blanton Owen Songs performed by Hubert Caldwell (fiddle) and unidentified accompaniment (banjo, guitar) in the following order: "Billy in the Lowground," "Paddy on the Turnpike," "Kitty Wells," "Lost Indian," "Soldier's Joy," "John Henry," "Cherokee Shuffle," "Hoedown Polka," "Flop-Earred Mule," "Eighth of January," "Cindy," "Stillhouse," "Bile the Cabbage Down," "Sally Ann," "Grey Cat's in the Corner," "Haymore's Blues," "Angeline the Baker," "Little Brown Jug," "John Hardy," and Green Willis: M. Owen Thompson |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20027/179 |
R.H. Haymore on fiddle backed by 3-finger style banjo and guitar, Winston Salem, N.C., 20 April 1969: reel 3 of 31/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Old-time string band music featuring fiddler R.H. Haymore backed by unidentified bluegrass-style musicians on banjo and guitar at his home in Winston Salem, N.C.; Recorded by Blanton Owen Songs performed by Hubert Caldwell (fiddle) and unidentified accompaniment (banjo, guitar) in the following order: "John Hardy," "Green Willis" ("Raw Recruit" or "Chapel Hill Serenade"), "Sugar in the Ground," unidentified song, discussion about tunings, "Sally Ann," "Waterhound" (same as "June Apple"), "Old Joe Clark," "Ellen Smith," "Breaking Up Christmas," "Cile the Cabbage Down," "Uncle Pen," "Liberty," and "Darling Cloe" |
Folder 2 |
Field notes: FT-20027/145-161Previously folder 391 within Southern Folklife Collection Field Notes (#30025) |
Folder 3 |
Field notes: FT-20027/162-179Previously folder 392 within Southern Folklife Collection Field Notes (#30025) |