This is just a fragment, but I'm glad I have it. This song is from Moran "Dock" Boggs, who supposedly wrote it in 1928 after an altercation with the Norton authorities. I've seen people claim he recorded it then, but I don't see it in the discography. In any case, he recorded it when he was "rediscovered" in the 1960's.
Singing and playing the banjo in this recording is "Papa" Joe Smiddy. He was passionate about old time music and bringing opportunities for affordable higher education to SW Virginia. He was instrumental in the founding of Clinch Valley College, now UVA Wise, and served as chancellor for almost 30 years.
At festivals he was usually accompanied by a sotrt of Bluegrass band led by his son, a pulmonary care physician who, now retired, still provides some medical missionary care in the region. He wasn't available this time, so we put together a pickup band, kind of a skiffle group. I'm playing fiddle.
"Berthy's (Bertha's) 23" was a kind of roadhouse that served light meals and "cold beverages," I think long after Dock Bogg's time.
Nice job on that fiddle, Doug!
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