daddy, teacher, blogger, amateur picker, singer, poet; co-founder of Murder Ballad Monday with roots in the upper south, happily transplanted to Vermont.
âMrs. Collins weep, Mrs. Collins moan âŚâ Aficionados might argue the point, but itâs reasonable to claim that âLouis Collinsâ is one of Mississippi John Hurtâs best original songs.  It is easier still to call it the best of all the murder … Continue reading →
 A few weeks ago, artist, musician, composer, and all-around creative Kentuckian Dan Dutton was kind enough to speak with me in depth about his early years as student of the ballad tradition. He also related his experiences learning ballads and … Continue reading →
Somerset is in the Knobs of Kentucky, and if you live among those hills you know that the red clay you can find thereabouts is perfect for spurring a childâs imagination. One of Somersetâs native sons, who grew up making … Continue reading →
I recently paid a visit to Chicago for the birthday of my good friend Ken, also the father and co-founder of this blog.  After a party-hating thunderstorm drove Ken, his family, and me with near full coolers from a free concert in … Continue reading →
As Memorial Day here in the States always falls on a Monday, itâs become a âthingâ for us here at MBM to try and capture its essence by sharing some meaningful music with you.  This year the honor of trying falls to me, and Iâve … Continue reading →
We thought it might be fun this week to share with you some of why we do what we do in this blog. Â Each of the writers here has their own story about hearing their first murder ballad. Each of … Continue reading →
Twice in recent weeks Iâve delved into Hazel Dickensâs work to find songs that walk the line between life and death in Americaâs coal fields. âBlack Lungâ is no murder ballad, but we saw how it used Primitive Baptist singing … Continue reading →
âWell itâs cold blooded murder friends, Iâm talking about âŚâ Such is the accusation that opens the angry chorus of âThe Yablonski Murder.â Hazel Dickens penned the musical indictment in January of 1970 after she read the newspaper story describing what … Continue reading →
A little less than a year ago we started a new series within Murder Ballad Monday called âConversations with Death.â  These brief, emotional posts allow us to explore songs that resonate for us in ways we find typical of our genre of choice, … Continue reading →
Note: this is Part 2 of a two part series. Â Read Part 1 here. So, down to the jewelry store packing a gun he said, âWrap it up, I think Iâll take this one.â âA thousand dollars please,â the jewelry … Continue reading →
