Lee Knight Collection, 1970-1980 | Berea College Special Collections and Archives Catalog

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Collection Overview

Title: Lee Knight Collection, 1970-1980

Primary Creator: Knight, Lee.

Extent: 6.0 MS boxes

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged as follows:

Open reel recordings (Boxes 1-3)

Cassette tape recordings (Box 4)

Listening copies of select recording in CD format (Boxes 5-6)

Subjects: African Americans -- Folklore., Banjo music -- Kentucky., Banjo music -- North Carolina., Banjo music -- South Carolina., Folk music -- Appalachian Region., Folk music -- South Carolina -- Johns Island (Island)., Jack tales -- North Carolina., Spirituals (Songs) -- South Carolina -- Johns Island (Island)., Women musicians -- Kentucky., Women musicians -- North Carolina., Women musicians -- South Carolina.

Languages: English

Abstract

Lee Knight grew up in the Adirondack Mountain area of New York State. He moved to North Carolina as the result of an interest in the Anglo, European and Native American music and stories of the Southern Appalachians developed during college. In addition to the Adirondacks and Appalachians, he has collected songs and stories from other parts of the world, including England, Scotland, Central Asia, Columbia and the Amazon region of Peru.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection consists mainly of interviews and performances by several traditional musicians and story tellers, their associates, and scholars. The recordings were made during the 1970s by North Carolina folksinger and storyteller, Lee Knight. The geographic area represented is mostly from Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina. A large portion of the collection focuses on banjo players and their repertoires. Included are well known banjoists such as Frank Proffitt, Jr. and Roscoe Holcomb along with several others from North and South Carolina. Other performance styles and instrumentation represented include lap dulcimer, African American singing from Johns Island, South Carolina, African American children's game songs, Jack tales, and unaccompanied ballad singing. Notable women performers include Malvena Reynolds, Almeda Riddle, Roberta Voyles, and Lily May Ledford. The collection also interviews with folk music scholars, Anne and Frank Warner, performer/activists, Guy and Candie Carawan, and country-bluegrass musicians, Bill Monroe, Kenny Baker, Ralph Stanley, and Roy Acuff.

Subject/Index Terms

African Americans -- Folklore.
Banjo music -- Kentucky.
Banjo music -- North Carolina.
Banjo music -- South Carolina.
Folk music -- Appalachian Region.
Folk music -- South Carolina -- Johns Island (Island).
Jack tales -- North Carolina.
Spirituals (Songs) -- South Carolina -- Johns Island (Island).
Women musicians -- Kentucky.
Women musicians -- North Carolina.
Women musicians -- South Carolina.

Administrative Information

Repository: Berea College Special Collections and Archives Catalog

Access Restrictions: Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.

Use Restrictions: There are no restrictions on use of this material other than federal copyright regulations.

Preferred Citation: [Object identification/Item Number/Box], Lee Knight Traditional Music Collection, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Berea, KY.

Processing Information: The collection was processed by Harry Rice, Sound Archivist. The finding aid updated by Harry Rice and Lori Myers-Steele, Collections Archivist, in August 2015.

Other Note: Collection Number: BCA 0132 SAA 132

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: Open Reel Recordings],
[Box 2: Open Reel Recordings],
[Box 3: Open Reel Recordings],
[Box 4: Recordings in Cassette Tape Format],
[Box 5: Listening Copies of Select Recording in CD Format],
[Box 6: Listening Copies of Select Recording in CD Format],
[All]

Box 1: Open Reel Recordings

Item 1: AC-OR-094-001: [No Listening CD - This is a copy of original tape AC-OR-094-021] Frank Proffitt, Jr. Recorded By Lee Knight, Sugar Grove, NC 9-11-71
Item 2: AC-OR-094-002: Frank Proffitt, Jr. Recorded By Lee Knight, Sugar Grove, NC 9-11-7. This is a copy of original tape AC-OR-094-021
Item 3: AC-OR-094-003: Frank Proffitt, Jr. Recorded By Lee Knight, Todd, NC; 6-1-76 / 2-11-78. Sugar Grove, NC 4-17-71 This a copy of AC-OR-094-009
Item 4: AC-OR-094-004: [No Listening CD - This is a copy of AC-OR-094-029] Roscoe Holcomb: Daisy, Perry County, KY. Vocals / Banjo and Guitar Instrumentals / INTERVIEW. Recorded By Lee Knight 3-26-71.
Item 5: AC-OR-094-005: INTERVIEW Vocals and Banjo Instrumentals: J. Roy Stalcup, Martin's Creek, NC. Recorded By Lee Knight 2-4-79 / 3-13-79 1 of 2
Item 6: AC-OR-094-006: INTERVIEW Vocals and Banjo Instrumentals: J. Roy Stalcup, Martin's Creek, NC. Recorded By Lee Knight 2-4-79 2 of 2
Item 7: AC-OR-094-007: INTERVIEW Bill Monroe and Kenny Baker, recorded by Lee Knight, Minneapolis, MN, 4-5-75. POOR SOUND QUALITY
Item 8: AC-OR-094-008: C. G. Dalton - of Salem, SC - Songs, banjo tunes, stories. Recorded at Clemson, SC May 27, 1976 by Lee Knight
Item 9: AC-OR-094-009: Frank Proffitt, Jr. Recorded By Lee Knight, Todd, NC 6-1-76 [this is original tape, copy on AC-OR-094-003]
Item 10: AC-OR-094-010: Lily May Ledford - Recorded by Lee Knight in Columbia, SC, 3-3-75.
Item 11: AC-OR-094-011: INTERVIEW - Roy Acuff / Mike Seeger, Recorded by Lee Knight, Montreal, CN 8-5-71.
Item 12: AC-OR-094-012: Mary McConnell - songs and interview, Easley, SC 1/7/76. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 13: AC-OR-094-013: INTERVIEW - Nadine Truet re: Gid Tanner - Recorded by Lee Knight, 6-30-73.
Item 14: AC-OR-094-014: Frank Proffitt, Jr. Recorded by Lee Knight, Todd, NC 2-11-78. [this is original tape, copy on AC-OR-094-003]
Item 15: AC-OR-094-015: INTERVIEW - Ralph Stanley, Troy, NC 5-22-71 and Myrtle Beach, SC 11-28-71. Recorded by Lee Knight

Box 2: Open Reel Recordings

Item 1: AC-OR-094-016: Frank Proffitt, Sr. and Frank Proffitt, Jr. - copy of tape made by the Proffitts and sent to Lawrence Older of Middle Grove, NY. This copy made from original by George Ward, Rexford, NY, 7-18-72.
Item 2: AC-OR-094-017: Frank Proffitt, Jr. - Recorded by Lee Knight. n.p., n.d.
Item 3: AC-OR-094-018: Will Julian - banjo tunes - [copy of most material on AC-OR-094-019]
Item 4: AC-OR-094-019: Will Julian, banjo tunes - [Mary McConnell, ballads and songs] - Easley, SC 5-5-76. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 5: AC-OR-094-020: Frank Proffitt, Jr. - Radio Program for WEPR and WMPR, Sumter, SC. Recorded by Lee Knight. Aug. 12, 19??.
Item 6: AC-OR-094-021: Frank Proffitt, Jr. Recorded By Lee Knight, Sugar Grove, NC 9-11-71 [original tape - copy on AC-OR-094-001/002]
Item 7: AC-OR-094-022: Frank Proffitt, Jr. Recorded By Lee Knight, Sugar Grove, NC 9-11-71 [original tape - copy on AC-OR-094-001/002]
Item 8: AC-OR-094-023: Moving Star Hall Singers, [Johns Island, SC] Recorded by Lee Knight. n.d.
Item 9: AC-OR-094-024: INTERVIEWS - Colie Lynch, Columbia, SC and Essie Briggs, West Columbia, SC - Textile Industry / Brown Lung, Recorded by Lee Knight, , 2-8-78.
Item 10: AC-OR-094-025: Black Children Game Songs - Sumter, SC, n.d. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 11: AC-OR-094-026: [Unidentified Performers] Boone, NC, n.d. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 12: AC-OR-094-027: INTERVIEW - Almeda Riddle [ Cleburne Co., AR] Recorded by Lee Knight [via telephone]
Item 13: AC-OR-094-028: INTERVIEW - Barbara Norris (daughter of Lily May Ledford) interview and songs. Recorded by Lee Knight, Columbia, SC 1-24-75.
Item 14: AC-OR-094-029: Roscoe Holcomb - banjo music and interview at his home in Daisy, KY, 3-26-71. Recorded by Lee Knight. [original tape, copies found on AC-OR-094-004 and AC-CT-468-005]

Box 3: Open Reel Recordings

Item 1: AC-OR-094-030: Frank Proffitt, Jr. Folk songs and tunes. Accompanying himself on fretless banjo and dulcimer. With Lee Knight on fretless banjo. Recorded at Sugar Grove, NC on 4-17-7? by Lee Knight.
Item 2: AC-OR-094-031: Ray Hicks - Jack Tales and other stories - Beech Mt., NC 1977-1978. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 3: AC-OR-094-032: Ray Hicks - Jack Tales - Beech Mt., NC 2-10-78. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 4: AC-OR-094-033: Ray Hicks - Jack Tales - Beech Mt., NC 5-28-77. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 5: AC-OR-094-034: NOT DIGITIZED - Mae Scroggs - Brasstown, NC. 12-15-78
Item 6: AC-OR-094-035: NOT DIGITIZED - Stanley Hicks, Lena Hicks, Hattie Presnell - 4-73
Item 7: AC-OR-094-036: INTERVIEW - Malvina Reynolds talks about discovering folk music and her own songwriting. Charleston, SC. 5-12-197?. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 8: AC-OR-094-037: [Lee Knight - performs two original songs - n.p., n.d.]
Item 9: AC-OR-094-038: [Lee Knight - compilation tape for South Carolina Arts Commission - n.p., n.d.]

Box 4: Recordings in Cassette Tape Format

Item 1: AC-CT-468-001: NOT DIGITIZED - Frank Proffitt, Jr. INTERVIEW and singing recorded by Lee Knight at Vilas / Sugar Grove, NC 12-13-70 [same as AC-CT-468-007]
Item 2: AC-CT-468-002: NOT DIGITIZED - Ray Hicks tells Jack Tales: Recorded by Lee Knight at Beech Mountain, NC 2-11-78 and 6-24-78. (The 2-11-78 segment also included on AC-OR-094-003)
Item 3: AC-CT-468-003: Jean Ritchie - Interview and Songs - Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC; 9-22-78. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 4: AC-CT-468-004: Anne and Frank Warner INTERVIEW - Glen Head / Old Brooksville, NY 8-12-71. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 5: AC-CT-468-005: NOT DIGITIZED - Roscoe Holcomb - Songs and conversation. Daisy, KY 3-27-71. Recorded by Lee Knight [same as AC-OR-094-004, which is a two channel copy of AC-OR-094-029]
Item 6: AC-CT-468-006: Tennessee Field Recordings - Erma Kennedy Russell / Knox County school children. Jan-Feb 1977. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 7: AC-CT-468-007: Frank Proffitt, Jr. INTERVIEW and singing recorded by Lee Knight at Vilas / Sugar Grove, NC 12-13-70 [same as AC-CT-468-001]
Item 8: AC-CT-468-008: [Banjo tunings - unidentified banjo player] / Ray Hicks - spirit tales
Item 9: AC-CT-468-009: Guy and Candie Carawan - INTERVIEW, Highlander Folk School, New Market, TN, 11-12-76. Recorded by Lee Knight
Item 10: AC-CT-468-010: Joe Wheeler. INTERVIEW and stories. John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, NC. 3-9-80. Recorded by Lee Knight
Item 11: AC-CT-468-011: Joe Wheeler. Stories. John C. Campbell Folk School Brasstown, NC. 2-21-80 and 3-9-80. Recorded by Lee Knight
Item 12: AC-CT-468-012: Mrs. Clarence Tom [Hettie] Ashley and Eva Ashley Moore - INTERVIEW - Saltville, VA. 10-31-70. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 13: AC-CT-468-013: NOT DIGITIZED - COPY - Mrs. Clarence Tom Ashley and Eva Ashley Moore - INTERVIEW - Saltville, VA. 10-31-70. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 14: AC-CT-468-014: Frank Proffitt Jr. Sings and plays dulcimer and fretless banjo. Sugar Grove, NC. 1-16-71. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 15: AC-CT-468-015: Frank Proffitt Jr. INTERVIEW Sugar Grove, NC. 10-76-71. Recorded by Lee Knight
Item 16: AC-CT-468-016: Roberta Voyles. Banjo and vocals. Marble, NC. 11-21-2001. Recorded by Lee Knight
Item 17: AC-CT-468-017: Mike Seeger - INTERVIEW - Montreal, CN - 8-5-71. Recorded by Lee Knight.

Box 5: Listening Copies of Select Recording in CD Format

Item 1: AC-OR-094-002: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Frank Proffitt, Jr. Recorded By Lee Knight, Sugar Grove, NC 9-11-7. This is a copy of original tape AC-OR-094-021]
Item 2: AC-OR-094-003: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Frank Proffitt, Jr. Recorded By Lee Knight, Todd, NC; 6-1-76 / 2-11-78. Sugar Grove, NC 4-17-71 This a copy of AC-OR-094-009
Item 3: AC-OR-094-005: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. INTERVIEW Vocals and Banjo Instrumentals: J. Roy Stalcup, Martin's Creek, NC. Recorded By Lee Knight 2-4-79 / 3-13-79 1 of 2
Item 4: AC-OR-094-006: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. INTERVIEW Vocals and Banjo Instrumentals: J. Roy Stalcup, Martin's Creek, NC. Recorded By Lee Knight 2-4-79 2 of 2
Item 5: AC-OR-094-007: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. INTERVIEW Bill Monroe and Kenny Baker, recorded by Lee Knight, Minneapolis, MN, 4-5-75. POOR SOUND QUALITY
Item 6: AC-OR-094-008: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. C. G. Dalton - of Salem, SC - Songs, banjo tunes, stories. Recorded at Clemson, SC May 27, 1976 by Lee Knight.
Item 7: AC-OR-094-009: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Frank Proffitt, Jr. Recorded By Lee Knight, Todd, NC 6-1-76
Item 8: AC-OR-094-010: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Lily May Ledford - Recorded by Lee Knight in Columbia, SC, 3-3-75.
Item 9: AC-OR-094-011: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. INTERVIEW - Roy Acuff / Mike Seeger, Recorded by Lee Knight, Montreal, CN 8-5-71.
Item 10: AC-OR-094-012: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Mary McConnell - songs and interview, Easley, SC 1/7/76. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 11: AC-OR-094-013: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. INTERVIEW - Nadine Truet, re: Gid Tanner - Recorded by Lee Knight, 6-30-73.
Item 12: AC-OR-094-014: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Frank Proffitt, Jr. Recorded by Lee Knight, Todd, NC 2-11-78.
Item 13: AC-OR-094-015: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. INTERVIEW - Ralph Stanley, Troy, NC 5-22-71 and Myrtle Beach, SC 11-28-71. Recorded by Lee Knight
Item 14: AC-OR-094-016: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Frank Proffitt, Sr. and Frank Proffitt, Jr. - copy of tape made by the Proffitts and sent to Lawrence Older of Middle Grove, NY. This copy made from original by George Ward, Rexford, NY, 7-18-72.
Item 15: AC-OR-094-017: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Frank Proffitt, Jr. - Recorded by Lee Knight. n.p., n.d.
Item 16: AC-OR-094-018: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Will Julian - banjo tunes - [copy of most material on AC-OR-094-019]
Item 17: AC-OR-094-019: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Will Julian, banjo tunes - [Mary McConnell, ballads and songs] - Easley, SC 5-5-76. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 18: AC-OR-094-020: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Frank Proffitt, Jr. - Radio Program for WEPR and WMPR, Sumter, SC. Recorded by Lee Knight. Aug. 12, 19??.
Item 19: AC-OR-094-021: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Frank Proffitt, Jr. Recorded By Lee Knight, Sugar Grove, NC 9-11-71. [original tape - copy on AC-OR-094-001/002]
Item 20: AC-OR-094-022: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Frank Proffitt, Jr. Recorded By Lee Knight, Sugar Grove, NC 9-11-71 [original tape - copy on AC-OR-094-001/002]
Item 21: AC-OR-094-023: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Moving Star Hall Singers, [Johns Island, SC] Recorded by Lee Knight. n.d.
Item 22: AC-OR-094-024: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. INTERVIEWS - Colie Lynch, Columbia, SC and Essie Briggs, West Columbia, SC - Textile Industry / Brown Lung, Recorded by Lee Knight, 2-8-78.
Item 23: AC-OR-094-025: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Black Children Game Songs - Sumter, SC, n.d. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 24: AC-OR-094-026: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. [Unidentified Performers] Boone, NC, n.d. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 25: AC-OR-094-027: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. INTERVIEW - Almeda Riddle [ Cleburne Co., AR] Recorded by Lee Knight [via telephone]

Box 6: Listening Copies of Select Recording in CD Format

Item 1: AC-OR-094-028: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. INTERVIEW - Barbara Norris (daughter of Lily May Ledford) interview and songs. Recorded by Lee Knight, Columbia, SC 1-24-75.
Item 2: AC-OR-094-029: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Roscoe Holcomb - banjo music and interview at his home in Daisy, KY, 3-26-71. Recorded by Lee Knight. [original tape, copies found on AC-OR-094-004 and AC-CT-468-005]
Item 3: AC-OR-094-030: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Frank Proffitt, Jr. Folk songs and tunes. Accompanying himself on fretless banjo and dulcimer. With Lee Knight on fretless banjo. Recorded at Sugar Grove, NC on 4-17-7? by Lee Knight.
Item 4: AC-OR-094-031: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Ray Hicks - Jack Tales and other stories - Beech Mt., NC 1977-1978. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 5: AC-OR-094-032: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Ray Hicks - Jack Tales - Beech Mt., NC 2-10-78. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 6: AC-OR-094-033: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. Ray Hicks - Jack Tales - Beech Mt., NC 5-28-77. Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 7: AC-OR-094-036: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. INTERVIEW - Malvina Reynolds talks about discovering folk music and her own songwriting. Charleston, SC. 5-12-7? Recorded by Lee Knight.
Item 8: AC-OR-094-037: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. [Lee Knight - performs two original songs - n.p., n.d.]
Item 9: AC-OR-094-038: Listening Reference Copy in CD Format. [Lee Knight - compilation tape for South Carolina Arts Commission - n.p., n.d.]