This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
Logger's Sheet Logger: Greg Wood Reel Number: 3A/3B Stage: C.C. Stage Date: 6-25-87 Presentor: Glenn Hinson Group Name: Workshop on Ballad Singing Region/Style: North Carolina a cappella Performer(s) Instrument/Occupation Bessie Mae Eldreth ballad singer/cook, Boone, NC mother of 11 children, midwife Jean Reid (granddaughter) ballad singer, Lenoir, NC hemodialysis wife Contents 1. "Maple on the Hill": Bessie Mae and Jean 2. Glenn: commentary on history of singing of family 3. Bessie: started singing at 4 yrs old, work habits as youth; bootlegging with father - beat corn mash while singing. 4. Glenn: ballads learned from Grandmother Milam, Miss Eldreth's grandmother. 5. "Pretty Polly" performed solo by Bessie (from mid-1800's) 6. Glenn: ballads tell more than a story, but, with the melodrama, also have a moral. 7. Bessie: reaction as youth to ballads with murder, etc. 8. Glenn: ballads to teach children lessons; sold by peddlers; to describe local tragedies as well 9. "Naomi Wise"- a ballad from circa 1812- Bessie/Jean together 10. Glenn: commentary 11. Jean: started singing; spent summers with Grandma Bessies, [[strikethrough]] in 5th grade [[/strikethrough]] at age 4 in 5th grade "discovered" words of 12. "Poor Wayfaring Stranger"-solo by Jean 13. Bessie: church singing every weekend in Watauga and Lower Ash counties 14. Glenn: church as principal public forum for singing 15. Bessie: "He Touched Me" 16. Glenn: songs sung just for fun 17. Jean: "Lolly Tootum"- Learned from elementary school teacher 18. Bessie: Learned next song from aunt at 6 years old "Snoops the Lawyer" 19. "Pretty Polly" - another of same name as #5, but totally different (they have 3 "Pretty Pollys" in their repertoire) 20. Final comments: Glenn Hinson