RE John Hartford

"Yes, he was a great musician, performer and steam boat advocate. I saw
him twice before he died."

My neighbor John Harrod is a musician. Some of the PTN board were
treated to a music party at his house earlier this spring.  John has
been collecting old time mountain music since the '70s.  He traveled all
over East Ky, W Va, & SE Ohio with his recorder and sometimes video
cmaera.  He recorded thousands of tunes.  Many had been passed down from
generation to generation going back before the War between the States
and to Europe.
(http://www.ket.org/muse/mountainmusic/recommendations.htm)

John Harrod and John Hartford were buddies and collaborated on saving
the old music.  Since many of the recorded muscians did not read music,
learned and played by ear, it was important to get it down on paper in
the only universal language.

So for years John and John would each take a tape of the same song and
each would do their best to listen and score (if that's the right word)
the tunes.  Then they would trade notes and compare and both work
towards an accurate written sheet of music.  The entiere collection is
at Morehead State University in Morehead KY.

So we miss John Hartford and his music and showmanship and funny jokey
ways and we give thanks to him for his preservation of music and
steamboats and the memory of the old ways and places and thngs.

For those who come to the IPTW in KY in October you will be treated to
old time Appalchian music by John Harrod and his band.  I am sure some
of the songs you hear will have been saved with the help of John
Hartford - bring your Derby hat!

Give us today Hors d'Oeuvres in bed, as we forgive those who have
dressed up against us."  - John Hartford

Pat rick

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