Over the years, he recorded over 3,000 songs for the Library of Congress and the Columbia University Library. In 1912, having studied law on his own, he entered Trinity College (now Duke University) as a second-year student where he studied under Samuel Fox Mordecai. His father was a Confederate veteran from East Tennessee, and his mother came from a Unionist family … Lunsford recorded many of the thousands of songs he learned for the Archive of American Music at the Library of Congress. Elsewhere, the same voice preached, over that same simple banjo, about dry bones. Genealogical materials date mainly from 1971-1978, but some are from the 1890s. Asheville. Throughout it all, he never relinquished his love of music and his Appalachian roots. Lunsford learned to play the banjo and fiddle, and collected songs and tunes. His father, a teacher, bought Bascom and his brother a fiddle and a banjo at a young age. He returned to Rutherford College from 1906 to 1909, then taught school in McDowell County. “Through Hiker” is the name given to, Have you ever seen a Carolina Lily? Historical Person Search Search Search Results Results Rebecca Ann Lunsford Try FREE for 14 days Try FREE for 14 days How do we create a person’s profile? In 1927, the city of Asheville was planning a Rhododendron Festival to encourage tourism. These included practicing law, newspaper publishing, and investigating draft evaders for the U.S. Department of Justice in New York. He and his brother Blackwell were accomplished fiddlers by their teens, and they often performed for neighbors and at school entertainments. Having grown up in a rural area where folk songs, ballads, and instrumental tunes provided entertainment in homes, at square dances, and at other social functions, Lunsford developed an early appreciation for this music. Inspired by a mother who softly sang mountain ballads and religious songs around the house, Bascom began a love affair with old-timey music that would last throughout his lifetime. He passed the bar in 1913 and became a licensed solicitor — even working for several years with the NC Legislature. mother. The Lovingood sisters and the Greer sisters with Bascom about 1933. In 1928, Bascom Lamar Lunsford turned his vast knowledge of traditional music and his organizational skills to the creation of a local music festival. 99335539, citing Leicester … Today, Lunsford is remembered as a one of the true musical treasures to emerge out of the Southern Appalachians. Bascom Lamar Lunsford at The Hoffman Collection, Mars Hill College Readies for the 43 Annual Bascom Lamar Lunsford Festival. Bascom Lamar Lunsford was born in 1882, in the beautiful rolling hills of Madison County just north of Asheville, North Carolina. Lunsford's major contribution to the perpetuation of folk music was the formation and promotion of folk festivals. Bascom Lamar Lunsford, performer and collector of folk music and organizer of folk festivals, was born in Mars Hill, Madison County.He was the son of James Bassett and Luarta Leah Buckner Lunsford … Bascom Lamar Lunsford was born at Mars Hill, Madison County, North Carolina in 1882, into the world of traditional Appalachian folk music. N C. James Lunsford, Arby Lunsford (born Buchner), Mar 21 1882 - Buncombe County, North Carolina, James Bassett Lunsford, Arta Lunsford (born Buckner), 1900 - Leicester Township, Precincts 2-3, Buncombe, North Carolina, USA, Davis G Lunsford, Jennie L Lunsford, Blackwell Lunsford, Zilpah Lunsford, Florida B Lunsford, Azealea Lunsford. Allen Lunsford, Jr. father. 1882–4 Sept. 1973. Musician, folklorist, and festival organizer Bascom Lamar Lunsford was born in Madison County. Lunsford’s instruments are also on display at the college, and the school hosts an annual festival named for him where performers grace the Lunsford Stage. In 1927 he advised the Asheville Chamber of Commerce to add a program of dancing and singing to its Rhododendron Festival. The ancestral, On March 14, 1967, Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, arrived in Jackson County, North Carolina. These non-profit organizations work with private landowners and other organizations to protect places of significant, The Appalachian Trail extends 2,160 miles from Springer Mountain in North Georgia to Mount Katahdin in northern Maine. ... Linkpendium's goal is to index every genealogy, geneology, :) family history, family tree… During World War I, he moonlighted as an agent chasing draft evaders. 15 March 1924 Atlanta, GA – Bascom Lamar Lunsford (Bascom Lamar Lunsford [vcl/banjo]) 40155 Jesse James / I Wish I Was A Mole In The Ground -24 45008 Fate Of Santa Barbara / Sherman Valley– 25 w. He performed at the White House for the King and Queen of Great Britain, and wrote the well-known “Old Mountain Dew”, which he sold for money for a bus ticket. Lunsford did not limit his talents to music. The couple had seven children: Sara Kern, Blackwell Lamar, Ellen Chapman, Lynn Huntington, Nellie Triplett, Merton Bacum, and Josepha Belle. As a result of these contacts, in March 1935 Lunsford received an invitation to go to New York to record his "personal memory collection" for Columbia; the collection included 315 items. In 1949 Lunsford represented the United States at the first International Folk Festival in Venice, Italy. Still held annually, it is recognized as the first event to be labeled a “folk festival.” Lunsford performed there for almost 40 years, until he suffered a stroke in 1965. Bascom and Nellie moved their family Into a small house on the 84 acres that became her portion.”…”It would be 10 years before he and Nellie could afford to build a more suitable dwelling.” Jones, Loyal, “Minstrel of the Appalachians: The Story of Bascom Lamar Lunsford… After leaving that post Lunsford worked for two years for the East Tennessee Nursery Company, traveling on horseback to sell fruit trees throughout western North Carolina and adjacent states. 102661867, citing Leicester Episcopal Church Yard, Leicester ... Family Members. The Digital Heritage Project gratefully acknowledges the support of Western Carolina University and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. After the death of his first wife, Lunsford married Mrs. Freda Metcalf English on 25 Aug. 1960. Lunsford's interest in collecting folk songs brought him to the attention of the growing number of folklorists following the British collector Cecil Sharp, who toured the southern mountains between 1916 and 1918. His parents introduced him to traditional music, which became a lifelong passion. He became recognized locally by playing at dances, weddings, and other social occasions. One voice seized me more than the rest. He went on to record commercially for the General Phonograph Company. He was the son of James Bassett and Luarta Leah Buckner Lunsford and the great-grandson of Thomas Shepard Deaver, a founder of Mars Hill … All Rights Reserved. Connecting Appalachian culture and traditions with the world. His legacy is preserved in the National Archives and in films, recordings, and festivals. Some of the most famous tunes he popularized were “Jesse James,” “I Wish I Were a Mole in the Ground,” and “Mountain Dew.” His first sessions were in 1922 when he recorded 32 tunes on wax cylinders for a song collector. Son of Allen Lunsford and Mary Elizabeth (Bassett) Lunsford Brother of Jesse Lunsford, John Lunsford, William Robert Lunsford, Jane Lunsford, Eliza Lunsford, Alfred David Lunsford [half] and Albert Lunsford [half] Husband of Luarta Leah (Buckner) Lunsford … Bascom Lamar Lunsford was born on the campus of Mars Hill College, in Madison County, in 1882. Gordon encouraged Lunsford to continue collecting and preserving the songs and to be thorough and systematic in his approach. Bascom Lamar Lunsford was born at Mars Hill, Madison County, North Carolina in 1882, into the world of traditional Appalachian folk music. Over a simply picked banjo, the voice sang mournfully about a mole in the ground. Hi James, I too, am researching Bascomb Lamar Lunsford, isn't it a small world? Up to that time his was the largest repertory that a single informant had contributed to the Archive of Folksong. It was said that Bascom Lamar Lunsford would … One of his more noted performances was at the White House in 1939 when he delighted the visiting King and Queen of Great Britain with several mountain ballads. Create a free family tree for yourself or for Ellen Lunsford … Bascom Lamar Lunsford. Like the many others varieties of feists, it is not a specific breed. Download the latest version. However, his life and music live still safely embraced as a cherished and valuable part of our mountain heritage. The Asheville Chamber of Commerce had long … Radio spots created by WCU faculty and students may be heard on stations WKSF-FM, WMXF-AM, WPEK-AM, WWCU-FM, and WWNC-AM. They asked Lunsford to invite local musician and dancers to what would eventually become the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. He avoided music with racy or controversial lyrics. Sep 6 1973 - Old Episcopal Cemetery, Leicester, N. C. Attorneys to Judges - the American Legal System. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed ), memorial page for Bascom Lamar Lunsford (21 Mar 1882–4 Sep 1973), Find a Grave Memorial no. ... Bascom Lamar Lunsford. Later he would study law at Trinity College [now Duke University]. Lunsford Project WikiTree is a community of genealogists growing an increasingly-accurate collaborative family tree that's 100% free for everyone forever. Listening to similarities found in early Bob Dylan recordings, music fans and historians quickly recognize the sweeping influence Lunsford had on generations of performers. view all James Bassett Lunsford… He was born in a time that gave him a grasp of nineteenth-century history and culture, and he grew to … Over a simply picked banjo, the voice sang mournfully about a mole in the ground. Mars Hill College in Madison County houses the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Scrapbook and Ballad Collection in its Appalachian Room. A year later he accepted a teaching position in Madison County. He worked in a variety of jobs as a young man, including a fruit tree … 21 Mar. James was born in September 1838, in Iredell, North Carolina, USA. In 1925 he accompanied Dr. Robert W. Gordon, the first head of the Library of Congress Archive of Folksong, on a search for ballads and songs in western North Carolina and South Carolina. A print version is available each month in the Laurel of Asheville. Geni requires JavaScript! Returning to western North Carolina, he pursued a number of occupations during the next decade. 1805), I think Lourany was also related to Bear Joe Lunsford… Zilpah ... accessed ), memorial page for James Bassett Lunsford (Sep 1838–1912), Find a Grave Memorial no. ... thoy felt he had been cured by a faith healer. It will be a national historic landmark because it is a place of great regional and national importance, and we believe it is absolutely necessary that … ~The recollections of folklorist, Chris King, recounting the first time he heard Bascom Lamar Lunsford. Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. A Mountain Feist is a type of small hunting dog. Copyright Digital Heritage. One voice seized me more than the rest. Sep 4 1973 - Episcopal Church of the Redeemer; Asheville, Buncombe, North Carolina, USA. The historic Bascom Lamar Lunsford home is up for sale! Download the latest version here. Bascom is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. Bascom Lamar Lunsford, performer and collector of folk music and organizer of folk festivals, was born in Mars Hill, Madison County. This job enabled him to contact families in remote areas and collect even more songs and tunes. Appalachian music is the music of the region of Appalachia in the Eastern United States. Her mother was glad to be back … The Story of Bascom Lamar Lunsford (originally published by Appalachian Consortium Press, 1984; reprint edition, University Press of Kentucky, 2002). Elsewhere, the same voice preached, over that same simple banjo, about dry bones. Dr. Dorothy Scarborough, from Columbia University, also toured the mountains with Lunsford in 1930. It is derived from various European and African influences, including English ballads, Irish and Scottish traditional … He was a fruit tree salesman and traveled the region with a Cherokee beekeeper. Bascom Lamar Lunsford, performer and collector of folk music and organizer of folk festivals, was born in Mars Hill, Madison County. From the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Scrapbook, Courtesy of the Southern Appalachian Archives, Mars Hill University. Lunsford contributed innumerable items to Frank C. Brown of Duke University for the North Carolina Folklore collection. Bascom Lamar Lunsford, born in 1882 in Madison County, was a fruit tree salesman, teacher, and lawyer, who is celebrated for his lifelong devotion to Appalachian music and dance. “Minstrel of the Appalachians: The Story of Bascom Lamar Lunsford.” Mary Larson. Bascom Lamar Lunsford was born on month day 1882, at birth place, North Carolina, to James Bassett Lunsford and Luarta Leah Arta Lunsford (born Buckner). Bascom Lamar Lunsford was born in 1882, in the beautiful rolling hills of Madison County just north of Asheville, North Carolina. But take care to avoid mistaking it for. Bascom Lamar Lunsford died in 1972. In 1929 he and composer Lamar Stringfield collaborated on 30 and 1 Folk Songs from the Southern Mountains, a volume of songs arranged with musical accompaniment. Ellen Chapman Boza (born Lunsford) was born on month day 1914, at birth place, North Carolina, to Bascom Lamar Lunsford and Nellie Lunsford (born Triplett). He was the son of James Bassett and Luarta Leah Buckner Lunsford … At an early age, his father, a teacher, gave him a fiddle, and his … “Hank Williams: So Lonesome; Minstrel of the Appalachians: The Story of Bascom Lamar Lunsford; Old-Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes.”. Mars Hill College maintains a museum dedicated to him. James Horton 8/09/01. Because of his interest in preservation, Lunsford also enjoyed children’s ballads, slave spirituals, and parlor songs. He exchanged lyrics and tunes with would-be customers. Although Lunsford never met Sharp, he did make the acquaintance of his assistant, Maud Karpeles. The diaries are those of Jennie and Isabell Lunsford, two of Bascom… It also includes regional lesson plans created by teachers participating in the Adventure of the American Mind project sponsored by the Library of Congress. Did you know it is North Carolina’s official state wildflower? son. Included is a family tree, copies of family correspondence and documents, various writings and diaries. In reply to: Re: bascom lamar lunsford. Bascom Lamar Lunsford was born in Mars Hill in 1882. Bascom Lamar Lunsford was born in Mars Hill in 1882. In fact, during his life he pursued many professional avenues, making his story even that much more interesting. He spent his later years at home in South Turkey Creek, near Leicester, where he continued to receive and entertain visitors and to participate in local festivals until his death at age ninety-one. The Bascom family lived in Boscombe, Wiltshire where one reference from 1273 … Bascom Lamar Lunsford was a famed performer, fruit tree salesman, democratic political campaign manager, auctioneer, special agent, publisher, honey bee promoter, lawyer, federal worker, reading … His trademark was his delivery, featuring a gravelly, tight voice combined with high notes. Mar 21 1882 - Mars Hill, Madison Co, North Carolina, James Bassett Lunsford, Luarta Leah Lunsford (born Buckner), Lunsford, Lunsford, Lunsford. Bascom Lamar Lunsford His parents introduced him to traditional music, which became a lifelong passion. She had come to visit the, Some of Appalachia’s most special places are protected through land trusts. I think he might be related to Lourany Lunsford, my g-grandmother, (Lourany married Tobias Woody, b. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family … He began his repertoire during the folk revival of the 1920s. In 1949, in a two-week marathon session, Lunsford recorded 330 items for the Library of Congress. Mary Lunsford. Bascom Lamar Lunsford 1882 – 1973. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. DigitalHeritage.org includes essays, video interviews, and other materials created by the students of Western Carolina University. In 1928, he organized the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival that continues in Asheville to the present. He also played a “mandoline,” an instrument with a mandolin body and a 5-string banjo neck. Family … The Bascom Lamar Lunsford "Minstrel of Appalachia" Festival is the second oldest folk festival in the region and was started in 1967. Lunsford … He was the son of James Bassett and Luarta Leah Buckner Lunsford and the great-grandson of Thomas Shepard Deaver, a founder of Mars Hill College. Bascom Lamar Lunsford "Minstrel of Appalachia." You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser. Folklorist, collector, & performer. Bascom Lamar Lunsford’s Daughters: Jo Herron, Lynn Hadley, Nelle Greenawald, Merton Brown Side 1: Jo [5] She was there when the family moved to South Turkey Creek. Like so many folk tunes, these told strange, elliptical stories, dense with images, exploding with emotion. Bascom Lamar Lunsford. Bascom Lamar Lunsford, for whom the festival was named, hoped to … You’ll want to attend the annual Lunsford Music Festival, held the first weekend of October and named for Bascom Lamar Lunsford, the father of folk music who was born right here in Madison … He worked in a variety of jobs as a young man, including a fruit tree … Pioneered and promoted American folk festivals. AudioPlayer.embed("audioplayer_1", {titles:"Lunsford60Mx",soundFile:"aHR0cDovL2RpZ2l0YWxoZXJpdGFnZS5vcmcvd3AtY29udGVudC91cGxvYWRzLzIwMTAvMDgvTHVuc2ZvcmQ2ME14Lm1wMw"}); Comments are closed. ...; Lunsford, Lunsford, Lunsford, Jones (born Lunsford), Lunsford,