A Song For Every State
My ‘Song of the Day’ on Facebook was the Tennessee Waltz.’ We lived in Knoxville a few years and still have a lot of fond memories.
One time my wife played a regional teacher’s convention and the band came up with a song for every state represented. We just did it off the top of our heads. I dug the ‘Alabama Jubilee.’ We both loved ‘Carolina on my Mind’ even though it wasn’t bluegrass. I know you are not surprised the ‘Banjo Diva’ had to have ‘Rocky Top’ on the set list. Alaska wasn’t there but I’d like ‘North to Alaska’ if they had been.
It occurred to me there are a lot of states I am not as familiar with as I should be. Before I get travel with my book I’d love to hear from you guys. What song do you like for your state? It can be but does not have to be your state song, although I’d love to collect that list too. If you send them to me I’ll keep ’em in my tour file.
When you go to Rome you gotta do like the Romans. It hit me I have spent my whole life right here in Harvey County. If it hadn’t been for all the bands touring through I might not have known of the outside world. I can’t think of a better way to know the heart of a state than to know the music people love there. No reason to confine it to the U.S. either. I’d love to hear from folks all over.
Let’s see now. Is there a ‘New Hampshire Breakdown?’ Or how ’bout “On Some Foggy Green Mountain Top’ for Vermont? Y’all (or you guys as the case may be) let me know.
Dr. B
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Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
November 12, 2009 at 7:47 am
Can’t help you right off the top with New Hampshire, but Vermont is easy. Here’s a link to Seth Sawyer singing “Green Mountain Girl,” a song he wrote for his wife Candi. Seth’s from Maine, but has made the transition to Vermont pretty well. – Ted
November 12, 2009 at 7:49 am
Try this one for New Hampshire.
November 12, 2009 at 8:12 am
Ted,
Bless your heart for kicking this one off. This post means a lot to me. Who better than the English Professor and Irene to open the floor for nominations?
Dr. B
November 13, 2009 at 8:20 am
Hi Dr Tom,
Heather from Aussie She Writers here. Paul Kelly is quintessentially Australian. Here is his website
http://www.paulkelly.com.au/
These are my favourites songs’ Youtube URL’s
I’ve tried to embed the video clips here-I hope they work!
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November 13, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Heather,
They came thru great. Excellent! Thanks so much.
Dr. B
November 13, 2009 at 8:35 am
Almost Heaven, West Virginia; The West Virginia Hills.
November 13, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Dan, I thought of this one and you after I posted. I have been to West Virgina a few tines and thought it was beautiful.
Dr. B
November 13, 2009 at 11:00 am
I have lived in Tennessee a long time, long enough to be mighty tired of “Rocky Top,” which is a good song, but so much played to death I get desperate when I hear it.
How about “Tennessee Waltz?” Or “Tennessee Stud?”
November 13, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Felix, I only went to one football game while in Knoxville. All I remember is a sea of Orange and ‘Rocky Top.’ The Vols won something like 50 to 9, and they no more than finished the song before they cranked up again. I’ve have also played it a bunch over the years.
Dr. B
November 13, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Well, I have lived in both of the Carolinas. The Davidson University band plays Sweet Caroline a lot.
I like Carolina in the Morning and Carolina on My Mind.
Since The Shag is the state dance of South Carolina, maybe we should choose a Shag song…any ideas????
November 13, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Cindy,
A beach tune would be a match for South Carolina. “Under the Boardwalk” might be a good one.
Dr. B
November 14, 2009 at 8:07 am
Dr. Tom….
In regard to Arkansas, the song most associated with Arkansas is probably “The Arkansas Traveler” which is now designated as Arkansas’ “Historical State Song”. And it is also a song definitely falling within the Bluegrass genre. In 1987 two (2) other songs were co-designated as the new Arkansas State Songs. Those being…..
“Oh, Arkansas”
by Terry Rose and Gary Klaff
“Arkansas (You Run Deep In Me)”
by Wayland Holyfield
A most interesting tid-bit of information for you by the way. The “Arkansaw Traveler” as it was spelled in the latter part of the 19th century was recorded by a gentlemen named Len Spencer in 1903 and the song became the biggest selling record of the pre-1905 era. The song stayed at Number One on the music charts of those times for an unheard of eleven weeks.
November 14, 2009 at 8:30 am
Alan,
I have played that tune many a time and it never gets old. I didn’t know the history on it though, and I appreciate you sending that in. That is the reason I enjoy my blog so much; someone always writes in and then I know something I didn’t know the day before.
Dr. B