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/ -0-