James York (1907- ca. 1980s) and his wife Lessie York were singers of traditional songs which they learned from family members in Iredell and Davie Counties. Mr. York, a public school teacher and principal, and Mrs. York, a beautician, were recorded by W. Amos "Doc" Abrams while James was a student at Appalachian State Teacher's College in the early 1940s. Lessie York played the guitar while James York sang. In the 1940s, they paticipated in two of the annual meetings of the North Carolina Folklore Society. Mr. York served as President of the N.C. Folklore Society twice, in 1954 and in another unknown year. The North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs awarded the Yorks a special citation in 1973. In 1977, the North Carolina Folklore Society awarded them with the Brown-Hudson Award.
From the description of James York family folksong collection [ca. 1930-ca. 1972]. (Western North Carolina Library Network). WorldCat record id: 44996552
