Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
July 4-8, 1973
Introduction:
The Festival's practice of featuring one State continued in 1973 under the new rubric of "Regional America", in anticipation of the Bicentennial Festival in 1976. The Commonwealth of Kentucky was featured, allowing the Smithsonian's new partner, the National Park Service, to focus attention on three national parks in the Commonwealth: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace, Mammoth Cave, and Cumberland Gap. Festival activities centered around a Kentucky tobacco barn that hosted many of the musical performances and, on July 7, 1973, the second annual Smithsonian Fiddler's Convention. Kentucky's horse culture was also a central focus of the program, with a race track and show ring for daily presentations. Kentucky's important role as a center of American traditional music - from old time to bluegrass, blues and sacred music - was celebrated with many notable performers.
Richard H. Hulan served as Program Coordinator for the Regional America program, assisted by James Moon. Within Kentucky, a corporation was created to coordinate the cooperation, the Kentucky 1973 Festival of American Folklife, Inc., with major support coming from the office of the Governor and the Commonwealth of Kentucky Department of Public Information.
Participants:
Crafts
Desmond Beam, 1905-1981, distiller, Kentucky
Percy Beason, 1895-1986, broom maker, Kentucky
Thomas Bolton, net maker, Kentucky
Curt Childress, basket maker, Kentucky
R.A. Clark, bottling machine operator, Kentucky
Jasper Hensley, chair maker, Kentucky
Larry Hensley, chair maker, Kentucky
Dr. Frank Kraus, distiller, Kentucky
Walter B. Logsdon, basket maker, Kentucky
Ora Lowe, quilter, Kentucky
Hazel Miracle, 1915-2001, apple doll maker, Kentucky
James Miracle, wooden bowl maker, Kentucky
Janice Miracle, corn shuck dolls, Kentucky
James Nance, potter, Farmington, Kentucky
LaRue Nance, 1923-2001, potter, Kentucky
Susan Carol Nance, potter, Kentucky
Hubert L. Rogers, dulcimer maker, Kentucky
Haskel Skaggs, guide, Kentucky
Byron Sparkman, 1926-1996, chair maker, Kentucky
A.C. Swihart, 1922-1995, sorghum maker, Kentucky
Audrey Swihart, sorghum maker, Kentucky
Griffin Swihart, sorghum maker, Kentucky
Ida B. Swihart, sorghum maker, Kentucky
Howard Taylor, country ham curer, Kentucky
James Thompson, farrier, Kentucky
Edgar Tolson, 1904-1984, woodcarver, Kentucky
Bobby Warren, cooper, Kentucky
Howard Whitaker, tobacco auctioneer, Kentucky
John David Willett, distiller, Kentucky
Michael Willett, distiller, Kentucky
Milli Wilson, doll maker, Kentucky
Morris Wood, barn builder, Kentucky
Robert Wood, tobacco twister, Kentucky
Ray Wooten, harness maker, Kentucky
Horses
Appaloosa: Mrs. Victor Griffiths, Mr. and Mrs. Roland Haun, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Tharnish, Kentucky
Combined Training and Dressage: Helmut Graetze, Kentucky
Hunter and Polo: Dr. and Mrs. Richard O. Miller, D.V.M., Kentucky
Morgan: Mr. Royce Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Lorimer, Kentucky
Pony Club: Miss Benny Bell, Mrs. Cecil and Kim Brumley, Kentucky
Pulling Contest: Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Cummins, Mr. Herbert Gilkison, Mr. Jerry Gilkison, Kentucky
Quarter Horse: Mr. Tony Wilson, Kentucky
Saddlebred: Miss Edith Nugent, Miss Wendy Wagner, Kentucky
Standardbred: Mr. Ted Woodley, Kentucky
Thoroughbred: Central Kentucky Vocation Technical School, Kentucky Equine Educational Program, Mr. Robert I. DeSensi and Trainees
Music
Alfred Bailey Band, with Arthur Breeze & Robert Smoot, fiddle band, Kentucky
Hon. B. E. Billings, square dance caller, Kentucky
Forster and Nancy Caldwell, gospel singers, Kentucky
Bill Carlisle (1908-2003) and Cliff Carlisle (1903-1983), singers, string band, Kentucky
The Coon Creek Girls (Lily-May, Rosie and Susan), singers, string band, Kentucky
John Edmonds Gospel Truth, gospel singers, Kentucky
J.P. Fraley (1923-2011) and Annadeene Fraley (1925-1996), fiddle band, Kentucky
The Spiritual Way Quartet, gospel singers, Kentucky
Buddy Thomas, 1937-1976, fiddler, Kentucky
Thornton Union Association of Regular Baptists, hymn singers, Kentucky
Bill Williams, 1897-1973, singer, guitarist, Kentucky
The Wilson Brothers, gospel bluegrass band, Kentucky
Hon. George Wooten, master of ceremonies, Kentucky
Phebel Wright (1916-2003) and Flora Wright, singers, Kentucky
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Where a listening copy or viewing copy has been created, this is indicated in the respective inventory; additional materials may be accessible with sufficient advance notice and, in some cases, payment of a processing fee. Older papers are housed at a remote location and may require a minimum of three weeks' advance notice and payment of a retrieval fee. Certain formats such as multi-track audio recordings and EIAJ-1 videoreels (1/2 inch) may not be accessible. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at 202-633-7322 or rinzlerarchives@si.edu for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1973 Festival of American Folklife, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
June 30-July 8, 1973
Introduction:
The 1973 Festival saw the inauguration of a new theme presentation entitled "Working Americans". The presentation of working peoples' skills, crafts, and lore began in 1971 and continued in 1972 when the Union Workers programs featured ten member unions of the AFL-CIO. Working Americans differed from these earlier efforts in numerous ways, most substantially in the consideration of how working people serve human needs and how their skills and expressions have shaped a major national festival to celebrate the nation's 200th birthday.
Working Americans in 1973 featured "Workers Who Build Our Shelter", to be followed in future years by exploration of those workers who provide our food and other needs. Nine unions of the building and construction trades demonstrated their skills, complemented by a full musical program that presented various traditions enjoyed by urban and rural working people, from labor songs to urban blues and a Cajun band. On July 7 and 8, a gospel stage was dedicated to presentations of diverse traditions of African American sacred music. Narrative workshops on the Working Americans stage focused attention on the oral traditions of each of the building trades, as well as on the customs and practices that spanned several trades.
The Working Americans Program Coordinator was Shirley Askew, assisted by Denis Lachman. Major sponsors included the AFL-CIO, its Building and Construction Trades Department, and the U.S. Department of Labor.
Participants:
Bricklayers, Masons, and Plasterers International Union
Thomas Murphy, President
Exhibit Chairman: Edward Royston
Ronald Bennett
James Chellemi
Michael Crowley
Ray Fischer
Thomas Fonte
Charles Poss
and other craftsmen
Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association of the U.S. and Canada
Joseph T. Power, President
Exhibit Chairman: Gilbert Wolfe
Charles Breen
Harry W. Furr
Rufus Jones
Benson Marble
Archie Neal
Carl O. Peterson
B. Lynn Romesberg
Joseph Vittone
Gilbert Wolfe
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
William Sidell, President
Exhibit Chairmen: Charles L. Allen, James E. Tinkcom
Carpenters
Mill-cabinet makers
Millwrights
Apprentices
International Union of Operating Engineers
Hunter P. Wharton, President
Exhibit Chairmen: Delbert Allen, J. C. Turner
Charles Davidson
Charles Monroe
Ernest Motta
Donald Nolan
Charles Stover
and other craftsmen
International Union of Wood, Wire, and Metal Lathers
Kenneth M. Edwards, General President
Exhibit Chairman: G. C. Carter
J. V. Briguglio
Anthony Byrd
Robert Chatman
Frank Eastman
Tom Evans
Rick L. Talglador
Laborers' International Union of North America
Peter Fosco, President
Exhibit Chairmen:
Ben Bostic (Laborers' Joint Training Fund of Washington, D.C. and Vicinity)
Jack Wilkinson
Participants: Laborers District Council
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Charles H. Pillard, President
Exhibit Chairman: Thomas B. Noone
Clinton L. Bearor
Edmund Berry
Harry W. Creamer
William J. Creamer
Robert Crosby
Joseph Dollarton
Jack R. Donahue
Lawrence C. Hogan
Ralph H. Kemp
Richard L. Martin
Daniel J. McQuaid, Jr.
Frederick M. Noone
Thomas B. Noone
Francis J. O'Neill
Paul Parker
Wade H. Sheriff
Walter E. Shoemaker, Jr.
Paul J. Webb
Robert Wines
Sheet Metal Workers International Association
Edward J. Carlough, President
Exhibit Chairmen: James A. Bettis, Bernie McMonigle,
William I. Stewart
Raymond F. Cook
Thomas E. Fitzgerald
Herb Griffith
Francis Hines
Mark Rosenbaum
Frank Santora
William I. Stewart
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the U.S. and Canada
Martin J. Ward, President
Exhibit Chairmen: Joseph Corcoran, George Bliss, Samuel Armstrong, Frank Blanch, Marion E. Moore, James Sullivan
Alexander B. Bell
Denvert Boney
Zigmund Charney
Timothy Christian
Mike Richards
Bernard Thornberg
Department of Labor
Peter J. Brennan, Secretary
Log Cabin Exhibit:
Claude and Billy Phillips, Berryville, Arkansas
Tipi painting:
Kevin Red Star, Crow Agency, Montana
Tipi maker:
Tom Heavy Runner, Browning, Montana
American Federation of Musicians
Hal C. Davis, President
in cooperation with
The Music Performance Trust Funds
Kenneth E. Raine, Trustee
and
Department of Labor
(Funding performances on the Working Americans, Gospel and Memorial stages)
Jimmy Dawkins (1936-2013) Band with Carey Bell (1936-2007), Big Mojo Elem (1928-1997), Clifton James (1936-2006), Willie James Lyons (1938-1980), blues band, Chicago, Illinois
Lefty Dizz (1937-1993) Band with Bill Warren, Bob Simmons, blues band, Chicago, Illinois
Dr. Thomas A. Dorsey, 1899-1993, gospel songwriter, Chicago, Illinois
Eastern High School Gospel Choir, gospel choir, Washington, D.C.
John Edmonds Gospel Truth, gospel group, Bowling Green, Kentucky
John Estes, 1899-1977, with Hammie Nixon, 1908-1984, Memphis bluesman, Brownsville, Tennessee
Ed Gerald Sounds, gospel group, Washington, D.C.
Gospel Music Workshop of America, gospel group, Washington, D.C.
Institutional Church of God in Christ, gospel choir, New York, New York
Cousin Joe, 1907-1989, blues pianist New Orleans, Louisiana
National Gospel Symposium Ensemble, gospel choir, Washington, D.C.
New York Community Choir, gospel choir, New York, New York
Utah Phillips, 1935-2008, labor singer, Saratoga Springs, New York
James Williams with Lefty Dizz Band, blues band, Chicago, Illinois
Collection Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Where a listening copy or viewing copy has been created, this is indicated in the respective inventory; additional materials may be accessible with sufficient advance notice and, in some cases, payment of a processing fee. Older papers are housed at a remote location and may require a minimum of three weeks' advance notice and payment of a retrieval fee. Certain formats such as multi-track audio recordings and EIAJ-1 videoreels (1/2 inch) may not be accessible. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at 202-633-7322 or rinzlerarchives@si.edu for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1973 Festival of American Folklife, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or (202) 633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or (202) 633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at rinzlerarchives@si.edu or (202) 633-7322 for additional information.
Collection Rights:
Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information.
Collection Citation:
Moses and Frances Asch Collection, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, Smithsonian Institution.
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.