Copyright and Happy Birthday to You

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Before most people blow out the candles on their birthday cake, they usually sing “Happy Birthday to You.” You know the song well. It’s sung at almost every birthday party. Variations exist in nearly every language. We’ve heard “The Happy … Continue reading →

RIP Bobby “Blue” Bland

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Robert Calvin Bland, better known as Bobby “Blue” Bland, the “Lion of the Blues,” passed away on Sunday, June 23rd, after fighting an ongoing illness. Bland was 83-years-old and leaves behind a legacy of blues, gospel and R&B that has … Continue reading →

“The Cumberland and the Merrimac”

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The Sinking of the “Cumberland” by the Ironclad “Merrimac“, off Newport News Va. March 8th 1862 – Currier and Ives, 1862 Introduction This week we return once again to the American Civil War for some music that might make the … Continue reading →

Poor boy, you’re bound to die

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Neil Young This our fourth post so far on the familiar murder ballad “Tom Dooley.” –The first post discusses some of the history behind the song. –The second post discusses the history of the song itself, from regional to international … Continue reading →

You can take down my old violin

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Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson This is our third post this week on “Tom Dooley.” You can read the first here and the second here. Introduction My heart sank just a little after reading in John Edward Fletcher’s book about the … Continue reading →

Benefit Concert for NYC Folk Music Exhibit

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A benefit concert featuring Pete Seeger and other folk singers, musicians and writers will be held at the New York Academy of Medicine on Thursday, June 20th. The concert will benefit an upcoming folk music exhibit, “Folk City,” on display … Continue reading →

Summer Folk Festivals: June Edition

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Sing Out! provides an international listing of folk music festivals and camps, which can be found at www.singout.org/fests.html. Our listing is currently updated to feature festivals throughout the summer. Before making summer road trips, camping excursions, etc., be sure to … Continue reading →

Hang down your head, Tom Dooley

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G.B. Grayson and Henry Whitter [This is the second post this week on “Tom Dooley.” The first post gives the basics of the underlying story.] Hardly a fiddler or a banjo picker in our county… “I’ll tell you all Verlee and I … Continue reading →