Stories, quotes and anecdotes from Appalachia. 1880s-1950s era.

Category: Ballad singers

‘On the Banks of the Ohio’—an old murder ballad

‘Willie’ invites his lover for a walk, during which she rejects his marriage proposal. Once they are alone on the river bank, he murders her.

Texas Gladden (1895-1967), was an American folk singer best known for her traditional Appalachian ballad style of singing.

The song’s odyssey began September 15, 1937 when folklorist Alan Lomax recorded a version by 16-year-old Georgia Turner in Middlesboro, Ky.

Jimmie “The Singing Brakeman” Rodgers was born outside Meridian, MS, but he staked his claim to country music fame in Appalachia.

When I was a single girl, I went dressed very fine, Now I am married and have a drunken man to mind. Oh, I wish I were a single girl again.

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