Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > October 2001 > 2001.10.21 > 08Prev  Next


Blind Tom on Public Television
By Will Herzog

Re: MMDigest 01.10.19

I heard a catchy piano-roll sound of a song. It was called the "Cyclone
Gallop", and was on a PBS program called "Life360".   I too was as
excited as when I first heard  Gottschalk, so  I taped the 15 minute
segment on a late-night replay.

The pianist, who devoted 3 years researching the life of the Slave,
Blind-Tom, (born blind, to a slave Chastity Wiggens, owned by a General
Bethune. is John Davis.  John Davis plays in Tom's style, and tells
his story.  Tom's talent appeared by the age 3, and the slave was
taught by good teachers.

He was leased out for three years, for $15,ooo to an Impresario, a
Mr. Oliver, who  merchandised him well.  In the 1870's he performed at
the Springer Opera House (Columbus, Georgia) and earned $100,000 per
year!  He was became semi-freed, by a court assigning a different
guardian, but he refused to play for him and repetitioned the court to
be, but returned to General Bethune, as guardian.    He wrote many good
songs, over a long career.


(Message sent Sun 21 Oct 2001, 14:35:46 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Blind, Public, Television, Tom

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page