11/22/2005 Dear Mike:
If I can interject here to hopefully assist your son in his search for info on the history of American music. There is a degree program in (I think, someone will surely correct this if I'm incorrect, please) Bluegrass and/or Traditional American Music offered by Lincoln Memorial University-if that school doesn't offer an actual degree, I know they do have courses of study there & I believe they offer lots of good information on how & where some of the bluegrass now so prevalent in America originated, where & who started it-there were many, etc. I know my folks fund a scholarship called "The Stanley Brothers Memorial Scholarship" (or we used to, I think we still do) which is given to a deserving student pursuing studies in traditional/bluegrass/roots American music there-this was begun 20 or so years ago, perhaps 25 years ago now. Your son might wish to check out the website for Lincoln Memorial University. I'm not sure where the main campus is, I know there's a campus in Harrogate, Tennessee. Also there is a "Museum of Appalachia" located 35-40 miles from where I reside just outside Knoxville, Tennessee which I am told has many artifacts & a collection of historical documents & memorabalia pertaining to Appalachian music, how it got it's start, & many Stanley Brothers items. You might wish to check that out. I'm hoping to visit there soon myself. Normally colleges websites end with .edu, you can probably just Google LMU & also the Museum to bring up a connection to their website which might assist your son. Additionally, I've just taped a replay of the excellent Public TV show, a 3-part, 3-hour series called "The Appalachians" which aired in the Knoxville, Tennesee area last week. This series goes into how the Appalachian Mountain area of our country was settled, where the majority of the immigrants (my ancestors) who settled here originated (Scotch-Irish & some German also, I have ancestors from BOTH groups), why & how they came here, how the music began as church/religious praise songs which began to be lined out in the old Regular Baptist/Primitive Baptist Churches in this area. I thoroughly enjoyed this special on Appalachia as it gave an excellent & detailed history of this area, the people here, their origins, the music which originated here, it went into the economics of why and how coal mining, sawmilling & the railroads gained such a foothold here and how these industries have affected all of Appalachia & nearly everyone who ever lived here. These specials really showed not only the names we all recognize, & also told us about all the "unsung heroes", the folks you DIDN't read about or hear about who gave so much and worked so hard to give us the wonderful heritage we have here. Hope this assists your son. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Keep loving bluegrass & mountain music, it's the best music in the world! Cordially your friend, Doris Stanley Bradley Quoting Mike Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: " " Renee,, You didn't understand why I asked that question. I have a son who " " is " " interested " " American music history. He was wanting to know where he studied as he " " thought that school would have something that would interest him. " " I'm sorry if I offended you " " Mike " " " " -------Original Message------- " " " " From: Renee' " " Date: 11/19/05 09:28:52 " " To: bluegrass@drralphstanley.com " " Subject: BG: Re: quich question " " " " " " " " I have a question " " We call hin Dr Ralph Stanley. " " What is the doctorite in? what school. " " Thanks " " Mike Smith " " " " Have you never known of anyone having " " an honorary degree, such as Bill Cosby " " for instance? " " " " Dr.Stanley "teaches" many to not only love " " and appreciate Mountain Music and the root " " soul of it but he teaches the aging techniques to young musicians alike. " " I " " personally would never question that since I know music scholars who have " " earned degrees in state and Ivy universities who will never be able to " " come " " close to his talent, experience & knowledge, history, unique techniques " " and " " emphasizes on the heart and soul of the aged songs in which many came over " " from European countries. He not only teaches music, he teaches history " " too. " " ... just my beliefs and thoughts. " " " " Sincerely, " " Renee' Stanley-Scheffler " " " " " " " " " " " " Bluegrass Bulletin Board brought to you by the fan club of Dr Ralph Stanley & His Clinch Mountain Boys subscribe or unsubscribe at http://drralphstanley.com/
