Stephen Foster: America's First Bluegrass Songwriter?

Volume 32, No. 1

Copyright © Central Texas Bluegrass Association

January, 2010

Stephen Foster: America’s First Bluegrass Songwriter?

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’m sometimes surprised that so many parking lot pickers seem to be unaware of the origins of the jam standards they’re picking. Most folks seem to be aware that Ashokan Farewell was composed by Jay Ungar in 1982, and that it’s not really a Civil War tune, but how many pickers know that Farewell Blues (made famous as a banjo instrumental standard by Earl Scruggs) is a 1922 jazz standard written by Paul Mares, Leon Roppolo, and Elmer Schoebel? How many know it has words? How many know that Elmer Schoebel (along with Billy Meyers and Jack Pettis) also published Bugle Call Rag, another Earl Scruggs signature piece, in 1922? It was a wartime standard for big bands like Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller. A travelling salesman had sold Earl’s family a windup gramophone and some records, including an early recording of Farewell Blues. He later recorded it as a banjo instrumental with Lester Flatt and the Foggy Mountain Boys in October, 1950, in a session for Mercury Records in Tampa, Florida. How many fiddlers know that Ook Pik Waltz (sometimes called Canadian Waltz, and attributed as ―traditional‖) was actually composed by a fiddler from British Columbia named Frankie Rodgers? How many of you jammers know that Nellie Kane was composed by Tim O’Brien (BMI Work #1053324) and recorded by Hot Rize on its eponymous debut album released in 1979? Stephen Collins Foster (1826-1864), born on July 4 in what is now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to a large Irish family, is often thought to be America’s first great songwriter. He began writing (about the time of the Mexican War) during an antebellum age when minstrel songs, traveling minstrel shows, and fascination with plantation culture dominated much of popular music. Although he never lived in the south, many of his songs were sentimental or romantic ballads with southern or ―plantation‖ themes. In 1849, he signed a contract with the New York music publishing firm of Firth, Pond & Co., becoming a professional songwriter, and later, writing instrumental ―parlor music‖ as well. During the Civil War, he wrote some songs with military themes. He died, impoverished, in New York at the age of 37, with only 38 cents in his pocket. Hardly any of Foster’s songs have made their way into the bluegrass

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From the historical photo archive: Sharon and Cheryl White at the Kerrville Bluegrass Festival, September, 1980. The song is a cappella, which is Italian for ―we forgot how to play our breaks.‖ Photo by Ken Brown.

The Central Texas Bluegrass Bulletin is published by the Central Texas Bluegrass Association, a 501(c)(3) taxexempt Texas nonprofit corporation. Contributions are deductible as charitable and educational donations. Work published in this Bulletin is used by permission of the writers, artists, and photographers, who retain all copyrights.

Jami Hampton, President Billy Bright, board member Eddie Collins, board member Sam Dunn, board member/Treasurer Mike Hurlbut, board member Clay Levit, board member Janice Rogers, board member Rixi Rosenberg, board member 2

Central Texas Bluegrass Association Box 9816 Austin, Texas 78766 (512) 261-9440 www.centraltexasbluegrass.org/ Tracy Sloan, board member Carrie Thielemann, board member Ken Brown, Bulletin editor

(continued from page 1) canon, perhaps only two or three at most, but they include some fairly well-known songs. My Old Kentucky Home, Good-Night (Stephen Foster, 1853): Don Reno, World’s Best FiveString Banjo (with Red Smiley, King KLP-861, 1963). Hard Times Come Again No More (Stephen Foster, 1854): The best known bluegrass version is probably the one by the Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Boys Are Back in Town (Sugar Hill SH-3778, 1990). Also done by Yo Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Mark O’Connor, and Alison Krauss on Appalachian Journey. Gentle Annie (Stephen Foster, 1856): I don’t think any bluegrass artists have actually done this one, but the chorus goes: Shall we never more behold thee; Never hear thy winning voice again − When the Spring time comes, gentle Annie, When the wild flowers are scattered o’er the plain? And to me, that sounds suspiciously reminiscent of the chorus of Little Annie, as done by Vern Williams and Ray Park: When the springtime comes o'er the mountains, And the wild flowers scatter o'er the plains, I will watch for the leaves to return to the trees, And I'll be waiting when the springtime comes again. I’m just sayin’, you know? Angelina Baker (Stephen Foster, 1850): This was published in Foster’s Plantation Melodies, No. 4, and the lyrics are available at www.pdmusic.org. There are four verses, and the chorus goes: Angelina Baker! Angelina Baker’s gone − She left me here to weep a tear And beat on de old jawbone. If you listen to the MIDI file at www.pdmusic.org/foster.html

(scroll down to 1850, then click on Angelina Baker on the left)

the relationship between the original melody and the fiddle tune known to bluegrassers is not immediately apparent, but if you listen carefully, it appears that the fiddle tune we know is in fact derivative from the original melody as written by Foster. You can find some more discussion of its etymology here: www.banjohangout.org/archive/148082 We’ll probably never know exactly how the melody metamorphosed from what Foster wrote to the fiddle tune as it is played today, but what may be a transitional version can be in this 78 RPM recording: (continued on page 4) 3

(continued from page 3) www.juneberry78s.com/otmsampler/otmsampta.html Scroll down to ―Angeline the Baker‖ and click on ―Uncle Eck Dunford.‖ In this version, the melody corresponds neither to the original nor the standard fiddle tune, but is somewhere in between. Some of the lyrics in the Dunford version are probably related to those in the Foster composition. A good recording in MP3 format of the standard bluegrass version can be found here: www.cumberlandmusic.com/appalachian-bluegrass/appalachian_mt_fiddler.php In any case, if you examine the original lyrics on the pdmusic.org web site, it becomes clear that Foster’s Angelina Baker has nothing to do with bakery goods, bakery assistants, flour, bread, ovens, or anything else of the sort. Foster’s Angelina is a plantation hand, and the object of the singer’s affection. ―Angeline the Baker‖ is simply an erroneous rendition of the original title of the Stephen Foster work. There is also some interesting discussion on the Mudcat web site (see especially the message by Richie Guest, October 20, 2002, with an extensive discography). It has been recorded as ―Angeline the Baker‖ by lots of bluegrass artists, including but not limited to: Art Stamper, ―Pineywoods,‖ (OH-90167) David Grier, ―Freewheelin’‖ (Rounder ROU-0250) Linda Lay and Sammy Shelor, ―Taking the Crooked Road Home‖ (VFH-107) Robert Shafer and Robin Kessinger, ―R & R‖ (JMP-204) AcuTab, ―Knee Deep in Bluegrass: The AcuTab Sessions‖ (Rebel REB-1759) Rob Ickes, ―Contemporary Dobro Artistry‖ (DVD 21785) Kruger Brothers, ―Choices‖ (DTM-CD015) Butch Baldassari, ―A Day in the Country‖ (SAR-CD2253) Nashville Bluegrass Band, ―Idle Time‖ (Rounder ROU-0232) Recordings with the correct title, Angelina Baker, are somewhat harder to find, but include: Kenny Smith, ―Tunes and Techniques‖ (guitar instructional DVD, 405-DVD1) Ginger Boatwright, ―Sipsey‖ (GFA-99012) Dry Branch Fire Squad, ―Hand Hewn‖ (Rounder ROU-0466) Grillbillies, ―Album Band, Vol. 1‖ (Yeehaw-101) Blaine Sprouse, ―Appalachian Mountain Fiddler‖ (CR-5149-2) Mike Witcher, ―Resonator Guitar: 20 Bluegrass Jam Favorites‖ (instructional book with CD) Anyway, that’s the gist of it. That’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it. Now all we have to do is figure out what a wellumscope is. Oh, and by the way, I always thought that Home Sweet Home was also composed by Stephen Foster as well. But according to Wikipedia, the music is by Henry Bishop and the lyrics by John Howard Payne, and it predates Foster by a couple of decades. More on Stephen Foster: www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/foster/timeline/index.html 4

Annual Membership Meeting About 30 people attended the annual CTBA membership meeting at ArtZ Rib House on Sunday, December 13. Outgoing president Tom Duplissey delivered a ―state of the association‖ summary, the new board members were announced, last month’s meeting minutes and the monthly financial report were presented, some new business was discussed, and then we all adjoined to pick. As accomplishments in 2009, Tom specifically highlighted membership growth, increased scholarship opportunities, a successful July band scramble and fundraiser, continuing sponsorship for Strictly Bluegrass on KOOP-FM, the continuing ArtZ jam, and planning for the first RiceGrass festival. More detailed information on this festival, scheduled for March 27-28 at Fischer, Texas (with Alan Munde, Byron Berline, Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum, Danny Barnes, and Sarah Jarosz) is available at www.cabin10.com/riceGrass.htm In addition to the new board members (Eddie Collins, Clay Levit, Mike Hurlbut, Rixi Rosenberg, and Tracy Sloan) listed on the ballots previously mailed out, Janice Rogers (of Ranch Road 12) was also elected at the meeting as an additional board member. New officers will be elected at the next board meeting on January 20. We’re also still looking for a new Bulletin editor. That’s a volunteer position, not an elected one, and you don’t have to be a board member, just a member with a willingness to help. Contact Jami Hampton if you’re interested.

Annual CTBA membership meeting, December 13, 2009. Outgoing president Tom Duplissey addresses the crowd. As you can see, Santa Claus even showed up. Who knew he plays the upright bass and looks a lot like Ray Cargo? Photo by Ken Brown. 5

Bluegrass? Where? Q: Where can I find some bluegrass? A: Tune in to Strictly Bluegrass on KOOP-FM (91.7), Sunday mornings at 10 AM to noon. KOOP’s rotating cast of bluegrass DJ’s serve up breakfast breakdowns and salad ballads, and when it’s Keith Davis’s shift you’re sure to be treated to some arcane bluegrass trivia from the elusive Uncle Clarence. The CTBA supports KOOP, and they support us.

Keith Davis works the console during KOOP’s post-Christmas Strictly Bluegrass show, December 27, 2009. Keith has to juggle CD’s, play pre-recorded public service announcements, fill out the track log, check the signal strength, answer the phone, and keep track of all those sliders and buttons. How does he do it, and still keep two hours of bluegrass coming at us on a Sunday morning? Photo by Ken Brown. 6

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Events calendar: January, 2010 Saturday, January 2, 6:30 PM: Piney Grove Ramblers at Iguana Grill, 2900 Ranch Road 620 N, 2668439 Sunday, January 3, 11 AM: The Sieker Band at Hill’s Café, 4700 South Congress; 851-9300. Sunday, January 10, 8 PM: The Lost Pines at Flipnotics, 1601 Barton Springs Rd. Saturday, January 16, 7:30 PM: The Lost Pines at Patsy's Cowgirl Café, 5001 E. Ben White Blvd.; 4442020 Saturday, January 16, 7 PM: BABA monthly show at Johnny Arolfo Civic Center, 300 W. Walker, League City, with Steve Kaufman, the Durocher Family Band, and Justified. For more info: www.bayareabluegrass.org/index.php Wednesday, January 20, 6:30 PM: Monthly CTBA board meeting at New World Deli, 4101 Guadalupe; 451-7170 www.newworlddeli.com Saturday, January 30: The Travelin’ McCourys at One World Threatre, 7701 Bee Cave Rd; 330-9500; www.oneworldtheatre.org

Miscellaneous bluegrass news The 2010 Argyle Bluegrass Festival has been cancelled; stay tuned for 2011. The lineup for the Overton Bluegrass Festival (June 11-12) has been announced; it will feature Alecia Nugent, Marty Raybon and Full Circle, Darrell Webb and several regional or local bands. Alison Krauss and Union Station plan to record again and tour in 2010, so Dan and Barry have disbanded the Dan Tyminski Band, while Adam Steffey and Ron Stewart from the Tyminski Band are forming a new band, the Boxcars, with John Bowman (fiddle), Harold Nixon (bass), and Keith Garrett (guitar). Look for a debut CD in 2010.

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CTBA Artists and Bands Austin Lounge Lizards Mike Drudge

Cooper’s Uncle

The Ledbetters

The Sieker Band

615-262-6886 www.austinlizards.com

[email protected] Spencer Drake 512-736-2664 830-660-2533 [email protected]

Rolf & Beate Sieker 512-733-2857 www.siekerband.com

Back Up and Push

David & Barbara Brown

String Beans

Ben Hodges , 751-3086 [email protected] www.myspace.com/ backupandpush

Blacktop Bend George Rios, 619-8536 [email protected]

Blazing Bows Mary Hattersley, 873-8925

Bluegrass Vatos Danny Santos, 218-4141 danny@dannysantosmusic .com

Brian Byrne and Borrowed Time

361-985-9902 [email protected]

Dear Henry Band

Don Inbody, 295-6977 [email protected]

Talia Sekons [email protected] www.lostpinesband.com

Manchaca All-Stars

Two High String Band Geoff Union

512-836-8255 www.eddiecollins.biz [email protected]

Wayward Pony

512-563-9821 [email protected]

Eddie Collins

Out of the Blue Jamie Stubblefield 512-295-5325 [email protected]

Dale Albright dale-mandolin@austin. rr.com www.waywardpony.com

Jon Ricketts 217-6437

The Piney Grove Ramblers

The Grazmatics

Wayne Brooks 512-699-8282 877-899-8269 www.pgramblers.com

The Wimberley Bunch

Howard Rains

Randy’s Rangers

Grass Onions Band

7704 Peaceful Hill Lane Austin, Tx 78748 512-577-0851

Charlie & Sally Lewis Box 2077 Canyon Lake, Tx 78133 (830) 899-7511

Sigi Field 512-869-8076 http://pages. suddenlink.net/jrf/rr/

Randalls Good Neighbor Program To designate your contribution to the CTBA, go to the address below, print the form and fill it out, and take to your local store: http://shop.safeway.com/corporate/randalls/gn_houston_austin.pdf

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Mike Montgomery 512-517-6753 [email protected]. utexas.edu

Chris Brewster B. Buchanan 512-693-4648 512-282-2756 www.dearhenrymusic.com manchacaallstars@ email.com

www.myspace.com/ brian- L. Wayne Ross byrneandborrowedtime 512-303-2188 699-9251 [email protected]

BuffaloGrass

The Lost Pines

All bands listed are members of the CTBA. See the membership form on the back cover for information on band membership.

CTBA Business Members

P.O. Box 483 Grapeland, Tx 75884

www.salmonlakepark.com

Overton Bluegrass Festival City of Overton Sponsoring Bluegrass and Gospel Music www.overtonbluegrass.com Don Eaves [email protected] 903-834-3171

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Sponsored by City of Early Drawer D Overton, Texas 75684

Charlotte Parrack 325-646-8531

300 Early Blvd.

CTBA Area Jams and Events AUSTIN AREA, CTBA GEORGETOWN Beginner/Intermed. Jam 1st. & 3rd Thu. 7-9 Randy’s Rangers Thursday Jam: Duke’s PM, Steve Mangold 512-345-6155 BBQ Smokehouse, 6-8 PM, 512-869-8076 or [email protected]> [email protected] CTBA 2nd & 4th Sat , ArtZ Rib House, slow jam begins 2 PM; Beginner/Intermed. Jam 4-6 THE GROVE PM; contact: Steve Mangold 345-6155 Outside Pick General Store, 15 mi. west of Temple on Hwy 36, Sat, 6pm until ? Jam Session: Sunday at ArtZ Rib House, 2-6 Contact: Moody Anderson, 512-282-1215 PM

PEARL Jam & Stage Show, 1st Sat: Jam starts at noon, show 4:30 PM, Hwy 183, 7 mi South of Purmela; contact: Ronald Medart 254-865 -6013 www.pearlbluegrass.com

Live Bluegrass Show: ArtZ Rib House Sun- HARWOOD day 6 pm; 512-442-8283 Stage Show & Jam Session 3rd Sat, 9 mi. E. of Luling, Hwy 90, 2 to 9 PM AAAMS Jam 2nd & 4th Wed. Leander/Cedar Park Fine Arts Academy, 200 Buttercup Rd, Ste. 104, Cedar Park, 6:30 to 8:30 pm, 512- HONDO Hondo Hootenanny, 1 PM, Hondo Commu401-8863 nity Center, 1st Fri each month 830-426-3438 AFTM Contradance: 3rd Sat. 3501 Red River HOUSTON 7:30 to 11 pm, $7 453-8936 Second Saturday jam, 1-4 PM, sponsored by AFTM Jam Session: 2nd Sun at ArtZ Rib BABA and the Houston Railroad Museum (April-November), Houston Railroad MuHouse, 2330 S. Lamar, Austin, 2-4 PM seum, 7390 Mesa Road; www. houstonrrmuseum.org; 713-319-8906 FIDDLER’S GREEN jam session in the BARN out back behind the shop every 2nd LEAGUE CITY (BABA) and 4th Tuesday from 7 PM to 11 PM. Jam & Free Bluegrass Show 3rd Sat: Jam 5 Phone: 512-452-3900 PM, Show 6:30 PM Jan- Nov., League City www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.com Civic Center, 300 W. Walker St. 281-6369419 BANDERA 4th Friday of each month at Silver Sage Corral– east of Bandera. Starts at 6:30 pm. For LIBERTY HILL more info call (830)796-3969 (Not on Good 4th Sat. Jam Session at 1-6 PM, Hwy 29 West, contact Paula at 512-778-5410 Friday)

Beginner/Intermediate Bluegrass Jam 2nd Thursday 7-9 pm at 6418 Ridgehurst, San Antonio. Hosted by Clifton Bowren 210-602 -5544 [email protected]

BELLVILLE Spring Creek Club Jam/Show Jan. thru Sept 4th Sat; 4pm Jam, 6:30 pm show. Coushatte Recreation Ranch 979-865-5250 [email protected] Plenty of RV camping and good food.

LILLIAN Third Friday show and jam, 10552 CR 519, Lillian; 7 PM, $4; www.ntbluegrass.com or 817-929-8391 MANCHACA Open jam every Thursday night from 7-9 PM at The Railroad BBQ on FM 1626 in Manchaca

BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION, Brazos Country Grass Monday Jam, J. Cody’s, 3610 S. College 6-9 PM McDADE www.brazoscountrygrass.com 2nd Monday of each Month: McDade Jamboree at the McDade VFW Post Hwy 290. 7-10 ELGIN PM Call: 512-273-2307 3rd Friday of each Month: Blue Fire-Station jam session, FM 696, 7-10 PM MEDINA 2nd Tuesday—each month— all gospel jam at FAYETTEVILLE: the first Baptist Church—Medina. Starts at 6 Texas Pickin’ Park: Jam 2nd Saturday, each PM; for info Linda Barton 830-589-2486 month beginning at 6 PM on the Courthouse Square. Acoustic instruments only. 2nd Friday each month— The Medina Jam For info: [email protected] session will be held at the Masonic Lodge at www.texaspickinpark.com 6:30 PM (bring covered dish) GARLAND Bluegrass on the Square: Saturday, MarchNovember between Main and State Sts. At 6th, 7:30 PM to 1 AM

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MONTGOMERY 1ST SATURDAY Jam in downtown historical District from 10 AM– 2 PM. For discount coupons at local KOA contact Dr. Mike Davis: [email protected]

SAN ANTONIO Open Bluegrass Jam Session Tuesdays, 6-8:30 PM, Grady’s BBQ Store No. San Pedro Ave, at Jackson –Keller (beginner-friendly)

SHULENBERG RV Park community Center 2nd Tuesday of every month, 6:30—9:00 PM Laretta Baumgarten 979-743-4388 [email protected] WIMBERLEY Bluegrass Jam Fri 8-12 pm, Lane’s Country Café, Wimberley

Editor’s note: this list of jams hasn’t been verified in a long time. Call ahead before checking out an unfamiliar jam, to make sure it’s still active.

Central Texas Bluegrass Association P.O. Box 9816 Austin, Texas 78766

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