Primarily recordings made by folklorist and performer Andy Cahan of musicians in the Galax, Va., area. Included are an interview and performances of original and traditional songs by Nell Smith (ca. 1920- ), singer and composer, recorded at her home in Galax on 12 October 1986. Also included are live recordings of Mabel Crockett (1919- ), African American religious singer, performing unaccompanied religious songs and an interview with her about singing, hymn books, and musical changes in church, recorded at her home in Galax on 8 October 1986. The collection also includes a live recording, made at the home of Walter Raleigh Babson (1900- ), on 11 October 1986 and at the home of his sister, Onie Green, on 6 December 1986, of Babson, a banjoist and fiddler from Wilmington, New Hanover County, N.C., performing old-time banjo and fiddle tunes and an interview with him about the tunes and the persons and music that have influenced his playing. Also included are live recordings made on 29 May, 10 June, 10 and 26 July 1988 at the home, in Elkin, Surry County, N.C., of Carlie Roosevelt Marion (b. 1913), Anglo-American banjoist and fiddler, of Marion performing old-time fiddle and banjo duets, primarily dance tunes on the banjo, and occasionally the fiddle, and an interview with Marion about his life history and musical influences.
