Today is the birthday of singer, songwriter Huddie "Leadbelly" Ledbetter, born in Mooringsport, Louisiana, 1888.
He is best known for his versions of "Goodnight Irene" and "Rock Island Line." He was an inmate at Angola Prison in Louisiana when a white man named Alan Lomax arrived, asking to record any songs the prisoners knew. Lomax was traveling across the south making field recordings for the Library of Congress. Lomax helped him obtain a pardon and took him to New York where he was a big hit.
Click here for Mp3s by Lead Belly
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mp3, blues, music
Westward Bound Cowboy and Country with Dom Flemons and Vania Kinard
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African-American Country Music History & Cowboy Lore through Sunday
December 14 at Berkeley Public Library DeFord Bailey Legacy Festival
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1 comment:
I didn't know yesterday was Leadbelly's Birthday! Thanks for the post and the great music. Leadbelly was the greatest.
Lee
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