For Sue Harris, MTF in Elmira and
"Johnston, Marjorie" <[log in to unmask]> in Chicago

A little more info than asked for, but maybe other songs of interest for
Americanists, beyond Twain's lyrics. Bland Simpson is the likely
Ramblers contact at or via UNC.  -RichardR/Poland
<[log in to unmask]>
=======================================================
The Red Clay Ramblers' LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI is in the archives at UNC
(below).  Bland S will tell you how many lines were lifted from
the book, or which ones tried to get the spirit.

Contact Information:
                              Manuscripts Department
                              CB#3926, Wilson Library
                              University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill
                              Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8890
                              Phone: 919/962-1345
                              Fax: 919/962-3594
                              Email: [log in to unmask]
                              URL: http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/

Red Clay Rambler Papers (#4756) 1970s-1990s

   Creator Red Clay Ramblers.

   Extent About 225 items (1.0 linear feet).

   Repository  Southern Historical Collection

   Abstract
        The Red Clay Ramblers began in 1972 as a trio of musicians who
had been playing in and around Chapel Hill, N.C. Personnel has included
Tommy
Thompson, banjo, guitar, vocals (1972-1994); Jim Watson, mandolin,
guitar, vocals
(1972-1986); Bill Hicks, fiddle, vocals (1972-1981); Clay Buckner,
fiddle,
vocals (1980- );  Mike Craver, piano, vocals (1973-1986); Bland Simpson,
piano,
vocals (1986- );  Jack Herrick, bass, horns, vocals (1976- ); and Chris
Frank,
piano, guitar, accordion, horns, vocals (1987- ).

        Over the years, they have
released numerous albums, gone on U.S. State Department-sponsored tours,
collaborated with Sam Shepard on plays and films, and had several
successful off-Broadway runs.
        The collection contains materials, 1970s-1990s,
chiefly relating to the Red Clay Ramblers' musical performances and
theatrical
presentations.
        Included are programs, newspaper reviews, and publicity posters from
Hot
Grog: A Tuneful  Pirate Saga;

Life on the Mississippi;
------------------------

The Merry Wives of Windsor, Texas; A Lie of the Mind; Far North; Sam
Shepard's Silent Tongue; Fool
Moon; and Kudzu: A Southern Musical. Also included are drafts of the
musical Diamond Studs: The Life of Jesse James by Jim Wann and Bland
Simpson,
along with materials relating to its performances; a manuscript and call
sheet for Silent Tongue; a scrapbook with materials relating to Bland
Simpson's
Southern States Fidelity Choir, Diamond Studs, and other works; a radio
script
for The Last Song of John Proffit, an historical play by Tommy Thompson
based upon
the life Dan Emmett and his interactions with the Snowdens, an
African-American family from Ohio, which touches on the development of
the banjo, the culture
surrounding minstrel shows, and the interaction between Anglo-American
and African-American musicians; photographs documenting Ramblers'
musical and theatrical activities; biographies and venue lists created
for
promotional purposes; and correspondence, primarily between Bland
Simpson and theater
companies about performances.

(from [log in to unmask]  URL: http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/

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