born // 1919
lived // harlan county
played // banjo
sang // ballads
died // 1984
Lois Short
in her first heaven
in her first heaven is a collection of recordings, songs, and stories about women musicians from Kentucky
.
Blanche Coldiron
Dora Mae Wagers
Effie Pierson
Emma Lee Dickerson
Lella Todd
Lois Short
Lois Short -- 6. Resources
Video
-Video is available, at the Highlander Center Archive. The archivist there is Susan Williams. -We are working, too, to find more video of her, from those workshops, and to make them more available to those who aren’t able to make it to East Tennessee.
-We are also following a lead to a recording of concerts she has done at Jubilee, in Knoxville, Renfro Valley Barn Dance and the Appalachian Festival.
Audio
-Recordings of Lois singing six ballads are available both at the Hutchins Library Special Collections at Berea College, and at the Appalshop Archive in Whitesburg, Kentucky.
-We are currently tracking down further recordings, from Appalshop, Dean Flannary, and the Appalachian Festival.
-Also, at the Library of Congress http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/afc/afc2001019a/sr2801_sr3000/sr2818a/sr2818a_reel_cuesheet.txt
-Augusta heritage? http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/inv/b/Bernhardt,Jack.html
Photos
-Coming soon, to be donated by her family.
Interviews
Quotations in this article taken from three interviews, transcripts and recordings of which can be heard at the Hutchins Library Special Collections, at Berea College in Kentucky:
-Larry & Kathleen, and Don Short. Conducted May 8, 2009, in Larry’s Cincinnati home.
-Nancy Carden. Conducted April 22, 2009, in Carden’s Knoxville, TN home.
-Guy and Candie Carawan. Conducted April 22, 2009, in their home on the Highlander Center property in New Market, TN.
Groups:
Comments
Lois Short video footage
Hi Anna - Alan Lomax and a video crew shot about an hour of footage with Ms. Short at her home in July 1983. Logged as follows (there's also an earlier scene of her leading a lining hymn at an Old Regular Baptist Church in Whitesburg).
DVD 116.
At the home of Lois Short
Closplint, Harlan County, Kentucky
July 24, 1983
1:07:22
Landscapes shot around Lois Short's home.
1:09:30
Lomax introduction of Lois Short.
1:09:52
“Goin’ Round This World (Banjo Pickin' Girl)." Lois Short, banjo and vocal. (Two takes.)
(Second take: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAlRhnmDfVs)
1:14:55
Lois Short on learning songs from Cousin Emmy and her family.
1:20:52
“Little Birdie.” Lois Short, banjo and vocal. (Two takes.)
1:26:37
Lois Short on ballads, her family, and music-making.
1:31:52
“Last Night When My Willie Came Home.” Lois Short, vocal.
1:34:55
On her father’s love songs.
1:38:48
“The Soldier and the Lady.” Lois Short, vocal. Followed by several re-takes for set-ups.
* * * * * *
DVD 117.
At the home of Lois Short
Closplint, Harlan County, Kentucky
July 24, 1983
0:00
Several partial takes of "The Nightingale Song (The Soldier and the Lady)." Lois, vocal
5:48
Lois discusses her parents' discipline and her upbringing; her miner father who read the bible by his carbide lamp in the mine. Lois recalls playing "Come All You Fair and Tender Ladies" with Guy Carawan.
10:23
"Come All You Fair and Tender Ladies." Lois, vocal
15:30
Discussion of old-timey courtship, Lois's mother, square dances and music-making, life in the mountains.
24:53
Story of murder of Ellen Flannery by Floyd Frazier at Pine Mountain.
28:11
"The Ballad of Floyd Frazier and Ellen Flannery" Lois, vocal
31:30
Lomax introduction of Lois Short (un-mic'd).
33:40
Lomax introduction of Southeastern Kentucky, Closplint (a company town named for the Clover Split Coal Company), and Lois Short.
35:00
"Pretty Polly." Lois, vocal and banjo.
42:44
Partial discussion of "Pretty Polly," murder ballads and Dreiser's "An American Tragedy." (Tape cuts out.)
Aunt Lois
Lois Flanary Short was my aunt . One of my fondest memories was when Aunt Lois played at our 4th of July celebration in Keokee, Virginia in 1976 i think. I wish to thank you for bringing all these wonderful women of music out so all can see. Thanks again it was a true blessing to hear her sing again.
Aunt Lois
Lois Flanary Short was my great Aunt. SHe died when I was a little girl and I never got to hear her sing or play, but have heard about her singing and playing for years! Thank you so much for doing this research and putting thia all together. Hearing her sing has blessed me and without you and your hard work I wouldn't have ever had this chance.
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