Inventory of the Joan Fenton Collection, 1952-1978

Collection Number 20015

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Manuscripts Department, Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Collection Information
block Descriptive Summary
block Administrative Information
block Online Catalog Headings
block Biographical Note
block Collection Overview
plus Detailed Description of the Collection
block Items Separated
Contact Information:
Manuscripts Department
CB#3926, Wilson Library
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8890
Phone: 919/962-1345
Fax: 919/962-3594
Email: mss@email.unc.edu
URL: http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/
Processed by
Allyn Meredith
Date Processed
April 2004
Encoded by
Allyn Meredith
Date Encoded
April 2004
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Descriptive Summary

Repository
Southern Folklife Collection
Creator
Fenton, Joan.
Title
Joan Fenton Collection, 1952-1978
Call Number
20015
Extent
About 1300 items
Abstract
Folklorist and performer Joan Fenton earned a Masters degree in folklore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981. She is the owner of several stores in Charlottesville, Va., that feature traditional and contemporary handicrafts. The collection consists of sound recordings and related documentation. Sound recordings include interviews, songs, and tall tales by artists in the southern roots traditions from North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Louisiana. Fenton's folklore thesis fieldwork about Howard Cotten, an African American tall tale teller in North Carolina, is represented by his songs, anecdotes, and tales about fishing and hunting that were recorded between 1976 and 1978. Also included are recordings from the 1978 John Henry Folk Festival where Hazel Dickens, Viola Clark, the Badgett Sisters, Walter Phelps, Ethel Phelps, Sparky Rucker, Pigmeat Jarrett, and Sweet Honey in the Rock performed. Interviews and sound recordings relating to Jamie Alston, Wilber Atwater, Willie Brooks, Dona Gum, Maggie Hammons, Sherman Hammons, Guy B. Johnson, Everett Lilly, Mitchell Bea Lilly, Varise Conner, Phillippe Bruneau, Carl Rutherford, and the Balfa Brothers are included. Also included are interviews with and songs of Charles Williams, a washboard player from White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., and Nat Reese, a guitarist and blues singer from Princeton, W.Va. Fenton is the primary interviewer on these recordings, some of which were made in performers' homes where she accompanied them on guitar, but there are also a few field tapes done by others, including some with the Reverend Gary Davis in Jamaica, N.Y., 1971-1972 and others done by John Cohen in New York in the 1950s. Documentation of field recordings includes transcription notes from interviews conducted by Fenton and notes compiled from the audio material.
Language
English.


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Administrative Information

Restrictions to Access
This collection has restrictions to access. Please see details below or contact the Manuscripts Department for more information.
Usage Restrictions
Patrons must secure permission from donor before personal copies can be made. Use of audio or video materials may require the production of listening or viewing copies.
Provenance
Received from Joan Fenton in September 1990.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], in the Joan Fenton Collection #20015, Southern Folklife Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Copyright Notice
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
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Online Catalog Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

African American musicians.
African Americans--North Carolina.
Alston, Jamie.
Atwater, Wilber.
Badgett Sisters.
Balfa Brothers.
Blue (Music).
Bluegrass music.
Brooks, Willie, 1908- .
Bruneau, Phillippe, 1934- .
Cajun music.
Clark, Viola.
Cohen, John.
Conner, Varise.
Cotten, Howard, 1910- .
Country music.
Davis, Gary, 1896-1972.
Dickens, Hazel.
Fenton, Joan, 1951- .
Folk music.
Gospel music.
Gum, Dona.
Hammons, Maggie.
Hammons, Sherman, 1903-1988.
Jarrett, Pigmeat, 1905- .
John Henry Folk Festival.
Johnson, Guy Benton, 1901- .
Lilly, Everett, 1924- .
Lilly, Mitchell B.
Music festivals.
Phelps, Ethel Johnston.
Phelps, Walter.
Reese, Nat.
Rucker, Sparky.
Rutherford, Carl.
Southern States--Songs and music.
Storytelling.
Sweet Honey in the Rock (Musical group).
Tall tales.
Williams, Charles.
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Biographical Note

Joan Fenton earned a Masters degree in folklore in 1981 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Fenton's thesis project, Howard Cotten: A Black teller of Tall Tales, centered around the African American tall tale tradition.

In the mid-1970s, Fenton recorded Howard Cotten and other tall tale-tellers and musicians in the North Carolina Piedmont, including Jamie Alston, Wilber Atwater, and Willie Brooks. Around the same time, she recorded gospel, blues, and country music in West Virginia, as well as biblical readings, a chanted sermon, and congregational testimonies from an African-American church service. Fenton also interviewed better-known artists, such as Sweet Honey in the Rock, Alice Gerrard, and Carl Rutherford, and recorded music and workshop sessions at the John Henry Folk Festival in 1978.

Joan Fenton lives in Charlottesville, Va., and owns 9 retail stores, 7 of which feature traditional and contemporary handicrafts. Fenton, active in the Charlottesville business community, has served as chair of the Charlottesville Board of Architectural Review, a member of the Charlottesville Revolving Loan Committee, and chair of the Downtown Business Association. Fenton coordinates "Blues Week" at the Augusta Heritage Workshop in Elkins, W.Va.

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Collection Overview

The collection of Virginia  folklorist  Joan Fenton consists of sound recordings and related documentation. Sound recordings include interviews, songs, and tall tales by artists in the southern roots traditions from North Carolina's Piedmont region and other southern states, including South Carolina, West Virginia, and Louisiana. Fenton's folklore thesis fieldwork about Howard Cotten, an African American tall-tale teller in North Carolina, is represented by his songs, anecdotes, and tales about fishing and hunting that were recorded between 1976 and 1978. Also included are recordings from the 1978 John Henry Folk Festival where Hazel Dickens, Viola Clark, the Badgett Sisters, Walter Phelps, Ethel Phelps, Sparky Rucker, Pigmeat Jarrett, and Sweet Honey in the Rock performed. Interviews and sound recordings relating to Jamie Alston, Wilber Atwater, Willie Brooks, Dona Gum, Maggie Hammons, Sherman Hammons, Everett Lilly, Mitchell "Bea" Lilly, Varise Conner, Phillippe Bruneau, Carl Rutherford, and the Balfa Brothers are included. Also included are interviews with and songs of Charles Williams, a washboard player from White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., and Nat Reese, a guitarist and blues singer from Princeton, W.Va. Fenton is the primary interviewer on these recordings, some of which were made in performers' homes where she accompanied them on guitar. However, there is also a set of four field tapes of the Reverend Gary Davis interviewed in his home in Jamaica, N.Y., during the winter of 1971-1972 by Larry Johnson and Lionel Ragosin and three other field tapes that were recorded in New York City in the early 1950s by John Cohen.

Documentation of field recordings includes transcription notes from interviews conducted by Fenton. For every field recording in the collection, documentation notes were compiled by the Southern Folklife Collection's research assistants in the mid-1980s. The audio material was reviewed and described, some in great detail. Documentation also includes notes from the original audiotape labels.

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Organization of Collection

1. Sound Recordings
2. Documentation
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Items Separated

Items separated include audiotapes (FS and FT).

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Detailed Description of the Collection

1. Sound Recordings, 1952-1978.

189 items.
Sound recordings include interviews, songs, and tall tales by artists in the southern roots traditions from North Carolina's Piedmont region, West Virginia, and Louisiana. Joan Fenton's folklore thesis fieldwork about African American tall tale tellers in North Carolina, including Howard Cotten and others, is represented. Interviews and sound recordings of Pig Meat Jarrett, Hazel Dickens, the Lilly Brothers, Varise Conner, Phillippe Bruneau, and the Balfa Brothers are also included.
FS-1164: Interviews and songs with various artists, including Sun Sparky, Larry Johnson, Ron Wilkerson, Sabba Ja.
FS-1165: Interviews and songs with various artists, including Robin Garrett, apple butter, Della Taylor.
FS-1166: Interviews and songs with various artists, including Pig Meat Jarrett, Bitsy, Romona.
FS-1167: Interviews and songs with various artists, including Hazel Dickens and Phyllis [Boyens].
FS-1168: Interviews and songs with various artists, including Louisiana Red, Johnny Shines, and Hazel Dickens.
FS-1169: Interviews and songs with the Badgett Sisters.
FS-1170: Interviews and songs with various artists, including Ethel Phelps, Walter Phelps, Jesse Graves, and E. E. John at the John Henry Folk Festival.
FS-1171: Interviews and songs with Brooks Gore at the MBA jam.
FS-1172: Interviews and songs with various artists, including R. Johnson and Carl Rutherford.
FS-1173: Interviews and songs with various artists, including Carl Rutherford and Everett Lilly.
FS-1174: Interviews and songs with Everett Lilly.
FT-871: Interview and songs with Willie Brooks. Recorded at his home in Pittsboro, N.C. 23 January 1996.
1. "It's Your Time Now, Baby."
2. "Come On Down To My House, Ain't Nobody Home But Me."
3. "Come On Down To My House, Ain't Nobody Home But Me."
4. "[Bring it with You When You Come]."
5. "Motherless Child."
6. Unknown.
7. "Red River."
FT-872: Interview and songs with Willie Brooks. Recorded at his home in Pittsboro, N.C. 23 January 1996.
1. "It's Your Time Now, Baby."
2. "Come On Down To My House, Ain't Nobody Home But Me."
3. "Come On Down To My House, Ain't Nobody Home But Me."
4. "[Bring it with You When You Come]."
5. "Motherless Child."
6. Unknown.
7. "I Hate to See the Rising Sun Go Down."
8. "[900 Miles From My Home]."
9. Talks about making a banjo, his music, etc.
10. "Red River."
11. "[She's a Little Bit Funny That Way]."
12. "[I Have a Home]."
FT-873: Interview and songs with Willie Brooks. Recorded at his home in Pittsboro, N.C. 20 June 1976.
1. "Reuben. "
2. "Shine On, Harvest Moon."
3. "Old Joe Clark."
4. "John Henry."
5. "Good Morning Blues."
6. "Crow Jane."
FT-874: Interview and music with Howard Cotten and Willie Brooks. Recorded at Howard Cotten's home. 11 September 1976.
1. "Gospel Song."
2. "[Joan, I Love You]."
3. "Jordan River."
4. "[I Heard My Baby When She Called My Name]."
5. "I Hate To See That Rising Sun Go Down."
6. "Cuckoo Bird."
7. "My Girl Got a Loving Little Feeling."
8. "Mama, Let Me Lay It On You."
9. Instrumental.
FT-875: Willie Brooks recorded in his home in Pittsboro, N.C. Willie Brooks plays the steel guitar with discussion between songs. 1 October 1976.
1. "I Wonder If My Mother Is On That Train."
2. "Got a Lovely Feeling."
3. "Airplane Blues."
4. "I Say Hey."
FT-876: Willie Brooks recorded in his home in Pittsboro, N.C. Willie Brooks plays the steel guitar with discussion and stories. 1 October 1976.
1. "Red River."
2. "I Wish I Was A Catfish Swimming in the Sea."
3. "She's Just a Little Bit Funny That Way."
4. Stories, etc.
FT-877: Joan Fenton, Willie Brooks recorded in his home in Pittsboro, N.C. Willie Brooks plays the steel guitar with discussion between songs. 1 October 1976.
1. "I've Got to Find Her."
2. "I'm Going to the River."
3. "[I'm Going Across the River]."
4. "Kansas City."
5. "Steamboat Bill."
6. Discussion about "Steamboat Bill."
FT-878: Joan Fenton, Willie Brooks recorded in his home in Pittsboro, N.C. Willie Brooks plays the steel guitar with discussion between songs. 25 October 1976.
1. Tells of a woman getting her head cut off in a train wreck.
2. "Come On Down To My House."
3. "Steamboat Bill."
4. "One Dime."
5. Talks about records, gramophone and learning songs.
6. "Red River."
7. Discussion about building his first banjo, etc.
FT-879: Joan Fenton, Willie Brooks recorded in his home in Pittsboro, N.C. Willie Brooks plays the steel guitar with discussion between songs. 25 October 1976.
1. "Worried Blues."
2. "How I Love My Girl."
3. Instrumental he learned from his Uncle James.
4. "I'm So Glad."
5. "Weary Blues (two false starts)."
6. "Lovely Feeling."
FT-880: Joan Fenton, Willie Brooks recorded in his home in Pittsboro, N.C. Willie Brooks plays the steel guitar with discussion between songs. 25 October 1976.
1. Talks about Howard Cotten, tale telling, etc.
2. "Weary Blues."
3. "[Going to St. Louis]."
4. "How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You."
5. "What You Gonna Do, Send Your Man To War?"
6. "Hey Baby."
FT-881: Interview and songs with Varise Conner (guitar). Accompanied by Joan Fenton (guitar), Edgar Conner (guitar), and John Henry (fiddle). Recorded at Varise Conner's home in Lake Arthur, La. 3 March 1976.
1. Waltz.
2. Waltz.
3. Discussion about guitars.
4. More music.
FT-882: Interview and songs with various artists, including Varise Conner, Edgar Conner, and John Henry. Recorded at Varise Conner's home in Lake Arthur, La. 3 March 1976.
1. "Devil's Dream."
2. "Sugarfoot Rag."
3. Cajun waltz.
4. Discussion about writing songs and song origin.
5. "Maiden's Prayer."
6. "Lake Arthur Stomp."
7. "Goodnight Waltz."
8. Discussion about finger accidents.
9. "Black Mountain Rag."
FT-883: Interview and songs with various artists, including Varise Conner, Edgar Conner, and John Henry. Recorded at Varise Conner's home in Lake Arthur, La. 6 March 1976.
1. "Kentucky."
2. "Irish Waltz."
3. Blank (2-1/2 minutes).
4. "Married With One and In Love With Another."
5. "Lafayette Two-Step."
6. "Down South."
7. "Wednesday Night Waltz."
8. "Cha Tutu."
9. "Reno Waltz."
FT-884: Interview and songs with various artists, including Varise Conner, Edgar Conner, and John Henry. Recorded at Varise Conner's home in Lake Arthur, La. 6 March 1976.
1. "Reno Waltz."
2. "Marmanto Stomp."
3. Story about old man at a dance.
4. Talks about learning Texas tunes.
5. "Stone's Rag."
6. "Memphis Blues."
7. "Sweet Bunch of Daisies."
8. "Georgiana Moon."
9. "Ranger's Waltz."
FT-885: Interview and songs with various artists, including Varise Conner, Edgar Conner and John Henry. Recorded at Varise Conner's home in Lake Arthur, La. 6 March 1976.
1. "Pardon Two-Step."
2. "Carolina Waltz."
3. "Kentucky Waltz."
FT-886: Interview and songs with Phillippe Bruneau on accordion. Recorded at Savoy Music Center in Eunice, La. 4 March 1976.
FT-887: Interview and songs with Phillippe Bruneau on accordion. Recorded at Savoy Music Center in Eunice, La. 4 March 1976.
FT-888: Various Artists, including Dewey Balfa, Will Balfa, and Rodney Balfa, Rodney's daughter, and Allie Young during Mardi Gras celebration in Mamou, La. 2 March 1976.
1. "Jolie Blond."
2. Announcements.
3. "The Back Door."
FT-889: Various Artists, including Allie Young, accordion; D. L. Menard, guitar; Rodney Balfa, guitar; Dewey Balfa; Will Balfa; Dick Richard; and Mark Savoy, fiddle. Jam session at Allie Young's. 8 March 1976.
1. "Jolie Blond."
2. Announcements.
3. "The Back Door."
4. "The Back Door."
FT-890: Interview, songs and tall tales with Howard Cotten. Recorded at his home in Goldston, N.C. 6 August 1976.
1. "Step it up and Go."
2. "My Good Girl Quit Me."
3. Walking Them Floors Over You.
4. Talks about learning to play from artists such as Blind Boy Fuller, Blind Lemon, Jefferson Tubb, and Ernest Tubb.
5. Tall tales and other narrative genres, such as possum hunting, the incredible dog who could retrieve anything, the man who rode into town on a lawnmower, the mule who pulled cotton, the man with the killer buzzards.
6. "One Dime."
7. "Rag Mama," instrumental.
8. "I'm coming Home."
9. "Too Tight."
10. "Rag Mama," instrumental.
11. Talks about mice and rats.
12. "I Wished I was a Candyman, Sitting in a Candy Stand."
13. "Step it Up and Go."
FT-891: Interview, songs, and tall tales with Howard Cotten. Recorded at his home in Goldston, N.C. 6 August 1976.
1. "The Lovesick Blues."
2. "Step It Up and Go" / talks about learning from Blind Boy Fuller.
3. "John Henry," banjo instrumental.
4. "Going Away Just to Wear You Off My Mind."
5. "Going Away Just to Wear You Off My Mind."
6. Interview.
7. Story about a monkey outsmarting a coon dog.
FT-892: Interview, songs, and tall tales with Howard Cotten. Recorded at his home in Goldston, N.C. 6 August 1976.
1. Talks about hitchhiking.
2. Anecdote about a man digging a well and falling in.
3. Remembers seeing a train for the first time.
4. Anecdote about a friend falling into a new grave.
5. "One Dime."
6. "Get Back Nelly."
7. Tall tale about possum hunting and riding home on the possum's back.
8. Tall tale about turtle hunting and riding home on the turtle's back.
9. Story about kinsman named after parts of a wagon.
10. Story about boyhood baseball game.
11. "Candy Man."
FT-893: Interview, songs, and tall tales with Howard Cotten. Recorded at his home in Goldston, N.C. 6 August 1976.
1. Ghost story about possum hunting.
2. Talks about corn liquor and moonshine.
3. Tall tale about possum hunting and riding home on the possum's back.
4. Tall tale about two cats getting into a fight on a hunting trip.
5. Tall tale about Bobo, a hunting dog, who could retrieve anything.
6. Story about an uncle digging a well.
7. Story about another uncle who was digging a well.
8. Remembers seeing a train for the first time.
9. "Rag Mama."
FT-894: Interview and songs with Laura Lea, a quilter from Chatham County, N.C., and Howard Cotten. Recorded at Cotten's home in Goldston, N.C. 18 October 1976.
1. Ritual scarification or birthmark found on several relative's bodies, Laura Lea.
2. Maternal grandparents owned a tavern and made liquor for the government, Laura Lea.
3. Paternal grandparents were slaves on the Lea-Powell plantation, Laura Lea.
4. Benjamin Lea, a relative, put himself through college, Laura Lea.
5. Black community pooled money to buy a car to transport kids to school, Laura Lea.
6. Discusses family tree, Laura Lea.
7. Mocking a crippled man, Howard Cotten.
8. An uncle played old-time jazz on the banjo, Howard Cotten.
9. My Good Girl Quit Me, Howard Cotten.
10. "Step It Up and Go," Howard Cotten.
11. Recites lyrics from a song about a coal man and an iceman, Howard Cotten.
12. "One Dime," Howard Cotten.
13. "Rag Mama," Howard Cotten.
FT-895: Interview, songs and tall tales with Howard Cotten and Dorothy Jean. Recorded at Cotten's home in Goldston, N.C. 18 October 1976.
1. "Step It Up and Go."
2. "Lovesick Blues. "
3. "Careless Love."
4. Tall tales about giant vegetables.
5. Tall tale about a rooster who wouldn't stop cackling.
6. Tall tale about a possum that was so big they rode on its back.
7. Tells about his grandfather who names his twelve sons after wagon parts.
FT-896: Interview, songs, and tall tales with Howard Cotten and Dorothy Jean. Recorded at Cotten's home in Goldston, N.C. 18 October 1976.
1. Tall tale about a talking dog.
2. Tall tale about a contest to win a man's daughter by doing the fastest trick.
3. Talks about being married and infidelity.
4. Tall tale about catching a one-eyed, one-eared, eight-legged rabbit.
5. Ghost story about possum hunting.
6. Story about seeing a driverless horse and buggy.
7. Talks about meeting other haints.
8. Talks about meeting other haints.
9. Story about fistfights.
10. Talks about parties, music and dancing.
11. Story about an uncle who was killed by a mule.
12. "Too Tight," cut short.
FT-897: Interview, songs and tall tales with Howard Cotten and Dorothy Jean. Recorded at Cotten's home in Goldston, N.C. 18 October 1976.
FT-898: Interview and songs with Howard Cotten. Recorded at his home in Goldston, N.C. 31 December 1977.
1. "Worried Blues."
2. "One Dime."
3. "Rag Mama."
4. "Step It Up and Go."
FT-899: Interview and songs with Howard Cotten. Recorded at his home in Goldston, N.C. 8 January 1978.
1. Story about an old man who goes possum hunting in his wheelchair.
2. Story about a catfight.
3. "Step It Up and Go."
4. Story about possum hunting and dogs chasing haints.
5. Discussion.
6. Story about an uncle who fell in a well.
7. "Too Tight."
FT-900: Interview and songs with Howard Cotten. Recorded at his home in Goldston, N.C. 8 January 1978.
1. Story about being chased up a tree by a bear.
2. Tall tale about hunting dogs herding a string of possum into a truck.
3. Tall tale about catching a giant possum and riding home on its back.
FT-901: Interview and songs with Howard Cotten. Recorded at his home in Goldston, N.C. 8 January 1978.
1. Talks about food.
2. Story about he and his uncle tricking a rookie farmer.
3. Story about tricking a man who was casting a fishing line out in a field.
4. More complete version of story #2.
5. Story about a mean rooster.
6. Story about a rooster who wants to live in the house.
FT-902: Interview and songs with Howard Cotten and Willie Brooks. Recorded at Howard Cotten's home in Goldston, N.C. 10 September 1977.
1. Talks about coming home drunk, Howard Cotten.
2. Talks about food, family and an old girlfriend, Howard Cotten.
3. "Lovesick Blues," Howard Cotten.
4. Recounts a Beverly Hillbilly episode about eating a dog, Howard Cotten.
5. "I Heard Somebody Calling Me," Willie Brooks.
6. "Step It Up and Go," Willie Brooks.
7. "Got a Gal Who's Just as Sweet as She Can Be," Willie Brooks.
8. "Easy To Get Along With Me," Willie Brooks.
9. "Got a Little Gal, She's Crazy About Me." / "Little Bit Funny That Way," Willie Brooks.
FT-903: Interview and tall tales with Howard Cotten. Recorded at his home in Goldston, N.C. 8 January 1978.
1. Story about being chased up a tree by a bear.
2. Discussion about a new story.
3. Story about a baby rooster who was raised in the house.
4. Story about a hunting dog who treed fifteen possum up the same tree.
5. Story about catching a giant fish on a plow line.
6. Story about helping a farmer find his missing hogs.
7. Story about tricking people who were coming home from church.
FT-904: Interview and songs with Howard Cotten and Willie Brooks. Recorded at Howard Cotten's home in Goldston, N.C. 31 December 1977.
1. "Best of Friends Got to Part," Willie Brooks.
2. "Put Your Sweet Lips a Little Closer to the Phone," Willie Brooks.
3. "Don't Make My Brown Eyes Turn Blue," Willie Brooks.
4. Recites a verse from unknown song, Howard Cotten.
5. "Don't You Hear Me Calling You," Willie Brooks?
FT-905: Interview and songs with Willie Brooks. Recorded at Howard Cotten's home in Goldston, N.C. 31 December 1977.
1. "Cryin' Time."
2. "You Got to Go."
3. "You Can't Hide."
FT-906: Interview and songs with Howard Cotten and Willie Brooks. Recorded at Howard Cotten's home in Goldston, N.C. 31 December 1977.
1. "Matchbox Willie."
2. "She's a Little Bit Funny That Way."
3. "I Ain't Got Nobody."
FT-907: Duplicate of a cassette that Howard Cotten made of his tales. Original recording, 3 January 1978.
1. Story about being chased up a tree by a bear.
2. Mule egg story.
3. Story about using grasshoppers as bait to catch bass and tricking a foolish man who is casting a line in a field.
4. "Signifying Monkey" toast, "You Gotta Shake It and Go."
5. Anecdote about a boy who tries to wash his uncle's dogs in a washing machine and then throws a coop of chickens into a well to give them a drink.
6. Anecdote about Uncle Hub who named his fourteen sons after his wagon parts.
7. Story about how the town was going to kill the oldest resident in order to get a new graveyard started.
8. Story about hunting rabbits.
9. Story about a mean rooster.
10. Story about a rooster who is raised in the house and refuses to move outside.
11. Instrumental, banjo.
12. "Uncle Dave Macon," cut short.
FT-908: Tall tales and music with Howard Cotten. Recorded at his home in Goldston, N.C. 10 January 1978.
1. "One Dime."
2. Story about hunting rabbits and falling into a well.
FT-909: UNC Folklore Broadcast #4: Tall Tales and Blues from Chatham County, N.C. Joan Fenton, editor and sound engineer.
Side A:
1. Tall tale, Howard Cotten.
2. Intro to show, Joan Fenton.
3. "Too Tight Blues," Howard Cotten.
4. Tall tale, Willie Brooks.
5. Tale tale, Howard Cotten.
6. "Rag Mama," Howard Cotten.
7. Tall tale, Howard Cotten.
8. Commentary.
9. "I'm Walking The Floor Over You," Howard Cotten.
10. "I'll Be Glad When You're Dead, You Rascal You," Howard Cotten.
11. Unknown song, Willie Brooks.
12. Tall tale, Willie Brooks.
13. Tall tale, Howard Cotten.
14. "900 Miles Away From Home," Willie Brooks.
15. Commentary about Howard Cotten.
Side B:
1. Unknown Song, Howard Cotten.
2. Tall tale, Howard Cotten.
3. Tall tale, Howard Cotten.
4. "Candy Man," Howard Cotten.
5. Tall tales.
6. "My Girl's Got A Lovin' Little Feelin'," Willie Brooks.
7. Tall tale, Willie Brooks.
8. "Steamboat Bill," Willie Brooks.
9. Commentary.
10. Tall tale, Howard Cotten.
11. "Too Tight," Howard Cotten.
FT-1115: Various artists, including Don Pitts, Badgett Sisters, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Johnny Shines, James Easily, Hazel Dickens, Phyllis Boyens, Everett Lilly and band, and Martin, Bogan & Armstrong recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. Tracks 6-11, Vocal Styles Workshop. 1978.
1. Religious talk / introduction of Viola Clark, Don Pitts.
2. "Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning," Badgett Sisters.
3. "Since I Don't Have You," Sweet Honey In The Rock.
4. "I Don't Know," Johnny Shines.
5. Unknown song (fragment), James Easily.
6. "Where the Soul Of Man Never Dies," Hazel Dickens, Phyllis Boyens.
7. "West Virginia, My Home," Hazel Dickens, Phyllis Boyens.
8. "When the Bees Are In the Hive, I'll Come To You," Everett Lilly and Band.
9. "If You's A Viper," Martin, Bogan & Armstrong.
10. "John Henry," Martin, Bogan & Armstrong.
11. "Sweet Heart of Sigma Phi (fragment)," Martin, Bogan & Armstrong.
FT-1116: West Virginia Golden Voices recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. 1978.
1. "Call On God."
2. "Why Me Lord."
3. "Thank You Jesus."
4. "Talkin' About A Man Called Jesus."
5. "Where Will I Be When The First Trumpet Sounds?"
6. "You Don't Have To Ride This Train."
7. "What A Wonderful World This Would Be."
8. "That's My Train Fare Home."
9. Jesus Will Provide.
10. Commentary, Don Pitts.
FT-1117: Various artists, including Viola Clark, Badgett Sisters recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. 1978.
1. "Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone," Viola Clark.
2. "Every Time I Feel the Spirit," Viola Clark.
3. "How Great Thou Art," Viola Clark.
4. "Thank You Jesus," Viola Clark.
5. "There Is A Land Where We Never Grow Old," Viola Clark.
6. "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands," Viola Clark.
7. "There Is Someone Who Cares For You," Viola Clark.
8. "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," Viola Clark.
9. "Amazing Grace," Viola Clark.
10. "Old Time Religion," Viola Clark.
11. "Religious Talk," Don Pitts.
12. "We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder." / "Soldier Of The Cross," Badgett Sisters.
13. "Study War No More," Badgett Sisters.
14. "I'll Fly Away," Badgett Sisters.
15. "Only A Look At Jesus," Badgett Sisters.
16. "Let The Church Roll On," Badgett Sisters.
17. "Traveling Shoes," Badgett Sisters.
FT-1118: Various artists, including Walter Phelps and Ethel Phelps, Choir from Riley County, W.Va., and Ed Cabel recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. 1978.
1. "This Little Light of Mine," Walter Phelps and Ethel Phelps.
2. "I Know It Was His Blood," Walter Phelps and Ethel Phelps.
3. "He Is Everything To Me," Walter Phelps and Ethel Phelps.
4. "Jesus on the Mainline," Walter Phelps and Ethel Phelps.
5. "I Want To Be At the Meeting," Walter Phelps and Ethel Phelps.
6. "Amen," Walter Phelps and Ethel Phelps.
7. "Jesus Our Lord," Choir from Riley County, W.Va.
8. "Inside the Pearly Gates," Choir from Riley County, W.Va.
9. "The River of Jordan," Choir from Riley County, W.Va.
10. "Beautiful Sweet Heaven Shall Be My Home," Choir from Riley County, W.Va.
11. "Glory Will Be When We Shall Meet," Choir from Riley County, W.Va.
12. "Shouting and Singing," Choir from Riley County, W.Va.
13. "Jesus Is My Guiding Light," Choir from Riley County, W.Va.
14. Closing words / prayer, Choir from Riley County, W.Va.
15. "Good Morning Blues," Ed Cabell.
16. "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?" Ed Cabell.
17. "This Little Light of Mine," Ed Cabell.
FT-1119: Various artists, including Joan Fenton, Jim Chambo, Saul Brody, Sparky Rucker recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. 1978.
1. "The Two Sisters," Joan Fenton, Jim Chambo.
2. "St. James Infirmary Blues," Jim Chambo.
3. "You've Been Talkin'," Jim Chambo.
4. "Big Fat Woman," Jim Chambo.
5. "The Longest Train," Saul Brody.
6. "Christmas Around the Campfire," Saul Brody.
7. "Satisfied Mind," Saul Brody.
8. "The Great Philadelphia Lawyer," Saul Brody.
9. "Lay My Burden Down," Saul Brody.
10. "Somebody Touched Me," Saul Brody.
11. "Crossroads," Sparky Rucker.
12. "Glory To His Name," Sparky Rucker.
13. "Come Into My Kitchen," Sparky Rucker.
14. "San Francisco Bay Blues," Sparky Rucker.
15. "Gospel Train," Sparky Rucker and Saul Brody.
FT-1120: Various artists, including Sweet Honey in the Rock, Pigmeat Jarrett recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. 1978.
1. Instrumental, Pigmeat Jarrett.
2. Instrumental, Pigmeat Jarrett.
3. "Mr. Freddie," Pigmeat Jarrett.
4. Instrumental, Pigmeat Jarrett.
5. Instrumental, Pigmeat Jarrett.
6. I Got to Move, Pigmeat Jarrett.
7. "Mr. Freddie," Pigmeat Jarrett.
8. "Wartime Blues," Pigmeat Jarrett.
9. Instrumental, Pigmeat Jarrett.
10. "The Sun Will Never Go Down," Sweet Honey in the Rock.
11. "Nothing But An Echo of the Past," Sweet Honey in the Rock.
12. "Give Your Hands to Struggle," Sweet Honey in the Rock.
13. "Since I Don't Have You," Sweet Honey in the Rock.
FT-1121: Various artists, including Johnny Shines and Sweet Honey in the Rock recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. 1978.
1. "Chile, Your Waters Run Red," Sweet Honey in the Rock.
2. "Oh My Lord, Show Me The Way," Sweet Honey in the Rock.
3. "They Are Falling All Around Me," Sweet Honey in the Rock.
4. "I'm a Stranger Here," Sweet Honey in the Rock.
5. "Sitting On Top of the World," Sweet Honey in the Rock.
6. "Believe I'll Run On, See What the End's Gonna Be," Sweet Honey in the Rock.
7. "Travelin' Shoes," Sweet Honey in the Rock.
8. "Boogie Woogie," Johnny Shines.
9. "If You Don't Feel the Spirit, You Better Turn Around," Johnny Shines.
FT-1122: Various artists, including Johnny Shines, E. E. Johnson, and Brooks Gore recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. 1978.
1. "Hot Tamale," Johnny Shines.
2. "Black Cat Bone," Johnny Shines.
3. Instrumental, Johnny Shines.
4. "Just a Little Tenderness," Johnny Shines.
5. "I Am a Pilgrim," E. E. Johnson and Brooks Gore.
6. "The Gospel Train," E. E. Johnson and Brooks Gore.
7. "Nine-Pound Hammer," E. E. Johnson and Brooks Gore.
8. "Gates to the City," E. E. Johnson and Brooks Gore.
9. "Jesus Won't You Be My Friend" (partial), E. E. Johnson and Brooks Gore.
FT-1123: Various artists, including James Easily, Nat Reece, Raymond Johnston, E. E. Johnson, and Brooks Gore recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. 1978.
1. "It Is No Secret What God Can Do," E. E. Johnson and Brooks Gore.
2. "Muskrat," E. E. Johnson and Brooks Gore.
3. "Careless Love," E. E. Johnson and Brooks Gore.
4. "Try to Make Friends," E. E. Johnson and Brooks Gore.
5. Instrumental, E. E. Johnson and Brooks Gore.
6. "Every Day of the Week," James Easily and Nat Reece.
7. "How Long," James Easily and Nat Reece.
8. "Baby, I'd Like to Know," James Easily and Nat Reece.
9. "Darling, You Know I Love You," James Easily and Nat Reece.
10. Blues song, James Easily and Nat Reece.
11. "Ain't Nobody's Business What I Do," James Easily and Nat Reece.
12. "The Preacher and the Bear," James Easily and Nat Reece.
13. Introduction to Raymond Johnston, Joan Fenton.
14. "Dusty's Hornpipe," Raymond Johnston.
15. "Fire on the Mountain," Raymond Johnston.
16. Old Sledge, Raymond Johnston.
17. "Billy in the Low Ground," Raymond Johnston.
18. "Back Up and Push," Raymond Johnston.
19. Banjo workshop announcement, Joan Fenton.
FT-1124: Various artists, including Franklin George, Uncle Homer Walker, Jim Costa, Raymond Johnston, Andy Cohen, and James Easily recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival during banjo and piano workshops. 1978.
1. The history of the banjo, Franklin George.
2. "John Hardy," Ray Johnston.
3. Three-finger Style, Franklin George, and Jim Costa.
4. "Soldier's Joy," Jim Costa.
5. "Soldier's Joy," Jim Costa and Franklin George.
6. "Cripple Creek," Uncle Homer Walker.
7. "Red Rocking Chair," Ray Johnston.
8. "Little Brown Jug," Frank George.
9. "Cumberland Gap," Jim Costa.
10. "Let the Light From the Lighthouse Shine on Me," Uncle Homer Walker.
11. "Call Up My Sheep and Feed My Little Lamb," Ray Johnston.
12. "Mississippi Sawyer," Franklin George, Ray Johnston, Jim Costa.
13. Explanation and demonstration of piano styles, Andy Cohen.
14. "Chicago Style Boogie." / "Chattanooga Choo-Choo", Andy Cohen.
15. "St. Louis Tickle."
16. "The Joint is Jumpin'."
17. "Trixy Ain't Walkin' No More."
18. "Walkin' The Dog."
FT-1125: Various artists, including James Easily, Sue Truman, Gary Hawk, Tim Goodall, Jim Costa, Ray Johnston, Dewey Hambrick, Carl Rutherford, and Hazel Dickens recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival, vocal styles and fiddle workshops. 1978.
1. "Movin' On," James Easily.
2. "You Are My Sunshine," James Easily.
3. "44 Blues," James Easily.
4. "John Henry," Sue Truman, Gary Hawk, Tim Goodall, Gary Hawk.
5. "Sail Away Ladies," Sue Truman, Gary Hawk, Tim Goodall, Gary Hawk.
6. "Soldier's Joy," Frank George, Jim Costa, Ray Johnston.
7. "Cricket on the Hearth," Ray Johnston.
8. "Fisher's Hornpipe," Frank George.
9. "Big Fish," Dewey Hambrick.
10. "Jimmy Johnson," Dewey Hambrick.
11. "Old Puncheon Floor," Dewey Hambrick.
12. "Mississippi Sawyer," Jim Costa.
13. "Turkey in the Straw," Frank George, Joe Hannibeck, Karen McKay.
14. "Eighth of January," Frank George, Joe Hannibeck, Karen McKay.
15. "John Henry," Carl Rutherford.
16. "You're For Me," Carl Rutherford.
17. "Blues Stay Away From Me," Hazel Dickens, Joan Fenton, Phyllis Boyens.
FT-1126: Various artists, including Hazel Dickens, Phyllis Boyens, Carl Rutherford, Monroe County Ramblers, Jerome, and Steve Ballew recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. 1978.
1. "West Virginia," Hazel Dickens, Phyllis Boyens.
2. "Believe in the Family," Hazel Dickens, Phyllis Boyens, and Carl Rutherford.
3. "I'll Fly Away," Hazel Dickens, Phyllis Boyens, and Carl Rutherford.
4. "Soldier's Joy," Monroe County Ramblers, Will Keys.
5. "Take A Drink On Me," Monroe County Ramblers, Will Keys.
6. "Coal Miner's Dream," Monroe County Ramblers, Will Keys.
7. "Mississippi River," Monroe County Ramblers, Will Keys.
8. "Things Like That Don't Happen These Days," Jerome.
9. Bottleneck guitar tune, Jerome.
10. "St. James Infirmary," Steve Ballew.
11. "Okmogie River Blues," Steve Ballew.
FT-1127: Various artists, including Louisiana Red, Johnny Shines, Saul Brody, and Ralph Gordon recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. 1978.
1. "Hard Working Blues."
2. Music jam.
3. Whistling.
4. Blues song.
5. "Rock Me Mama."
6. Introductions, Andy Cohen.
7. "Folding Down the Sheets."
8. "Cindy."
9. "Massa's Gone Away."
10. "Sourwood Mountain."
11. "Red-Haired Boy."
12. "Sweet Sixteen."
13. "Walking in the Parlor."
14. "West Fork Girls."
15. "Over the Waterfall."
FT-1128: Various artists, including Ralph Gordon, Paul Reisler, Stuart Light, Paul Yeaton, Phyllis Boyens, Hazel Dickens recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. 1978.
1. "Love Crisis."
2. "To Hell with the People, To Hell with the Land."
3. "The Last Old Shovel."
4. "Truck Driving Woman."
5. "The City That Lies Four Square."
6. "Hewed Out of the Mountain."
7. Introductions, Andy Cohen.
8. "March Wind."
9. "A Tiny Broken Heart."
10. "Working Girl Blues."
11. "Don't Put Her Down." / "You Put Her There."
12. "Fly Away Little Pretty Bird."
13. "They'll Never Keep Us Down."
14. Introductions, Andy Cohen.
15. "When the Bees are in the Hive," Everett Lilly and Band.
FT-1129: Various artists, including Everett Lilly and Band, Martin, Bogan & Armstrong, and Ralph Gordon recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. 1978.
1. "The Gypsy Woman," Everett Lilly and Band.
2. "Long Journey Home," Everett Lilly and Band.
3. "Just Someone," Everett Lilly and Band.
4. "Orange Blossom Honey," Everett Lilly and Band.
5. "Don't Be Angry," Everett Lilly and Band.
6. "Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong," Everett Lilly and Band.
7. "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," Everett Lilly and Band.
8. "No More The Moon Shines On Lorene," Everett Lilly and Band.
9. "West Virginia," Everett Lilly and Band.
10. "Lady Be Good," Martin, Bogan & Armstrong.
11. "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You," Martin, Bogan & Armstrong.
12. "Summertime," Martin, Bogan & Armstrong.
13. "La Cucaracha," Martin, Bogan & Armstrong.
14. "Ice Cream Freezer," Martin, Bogan & Armstrong.
15. "Let's Have a Party," Martin, Bogan & Armstrong.
16. "If You'se A Viper," Martin, Bogan & Armstrong.
FT-1130: Various artists, including Martin, Bogan & Armstrong and Ralph Gordon recorded at the John Henry Folk Festival. 1978.
1. "I'm Confessing