Only a couple of weeks after serving as pallbearers at Charlie Poole's funeral, this group of his old friends got together for what turned out to be a farewell to Poole, to each other, and to the classic Poole band sound, Harvey (1892-1958) moved to Florida, got back into railroading, and quit playing. Johnston, still an active musician, died in 1952, Coleman lived in Princeton, West Virginia and continued working for the railroad, fiddling, and writing excellent songs until his death a few years ago. Branch, only 18 when this recording was made, entered the ministry, gave up string music, and, when last heard of, was living in Marion, Virginia. : The song is something of an oddity. It starts with what is usually the last verse of "John Hardy", then goes on to a version of "The Maid Freed From The Gallows" (Child 95).
John Hardy Blues
Uploaded File
Tune Title
Artist
Year
1931
Media Source
From the Collection of John Coffey
Collections Reference
Label
Catalog Number
16281
Matrix Number
17787
Track Order
1995.07
-
John Hardy Blues
The West Virginia Ramblers. Roy Harvey, vocal, guitar; Jess Johnston, Bernice Coleman, fiddles; Ernest Branch, banjo.
Richmond IN 6/3/31 Champion 16281