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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