Minstrel of the Appalachians : The Story of Bascom Lamar Lunsford

It is said that Bascom Lamar Lunsford would "cross hell on a rotten rail to get a folk song"―his Southern highlands folk-song compilations now constitute one of the largest collections of its kind in the Library of Congress―but he did much more than acquire songs. He preserved and promoted the Appalachian mountain tradition for generations of people, founding in 1928 the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville, North Carolina, an annual event that has shaped America's festival movement. Loyal Jones pens a lively biography of a man considered to be Appalachian music royalty. He also includes a "Lunsford Sampler" of ballads, songs, hymns, tales, and anecdotes, plus a discography of his recordings. It is said that Bascom Lamar Lunsford would "cross hell on a rotten rail to get a folk song." His compilation of Southern Highlands folk songs now constitutes one of the largest collections of its kind in the Library of Congress, but he did much more than acquire songs. He preserved and promoted the Appalachian mountain tradition for generations of people, founding in 1928 the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville, North Carolina, an annual event that has shaped America's festival movement. Loyal Jones pens a biography of a man considered to be Appalachian music royalty, and the book includes a "Lunsford Sampler" of ballads, songs, hymns, tales, and anecdotes, as well as a discography of Lunsford's recordings It is said that Bascom Lamar Lunsford would ""cross hell on a rotten rail to get a folk song""--His Southern highlands folk-song compilations now constitute one of the largest collections of its kind in the Library of Congress -- but he did much more than acquire songs. He preserved and promoted the Appalachian mountain tradition for generations of people, founding in 1928 the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville, North Carolina, an annual event that has shaped America's festival movement. Loyal Jones pens a lively biography of a man considered to be Appalachian music royalty. He al .. Loyal Jones ; Music Transcribed By John M. Forbes. A Compilation Of Lunsford's Music (unacc. Or Melodies With Chord Symbols): Pages [191]-249. Originally Published: Boone, N.c. : Appalachian Consortium Press, C1984. With New Introduction. Bibliography: Pages 145-146. Mode Of Access: World Wide Web. It is said that Bascom Lamar Lunsford would "cross hell on a rotten rail to get a folk song" -- his Southern highlands folk-song compilations now constitute one of the largest collections of its kind in the Library of Congress -- but he did much more than acquire songs. To use a mountain saying, Bascom Lamar Lunsford would cross hell on a rotten rail to get a folk song.