[dcab-l] More on "Two Little Boys" Live at the Appalachian Jubilee

Got this email from Tom Grey, who recorded the

Country Gentlemen version on Starday.  Thanks, Tom!

 

Ed,

Let me add a little to the Two little Boys story.  It was recorded in the late 1930s by the Dixon Brothers of S.C.  They played it in waltz time, with a 6 minor chord inferred in the second and fourth measure, under the word "boys" and "toys".  It's on YouTube if you want to hear it.   Howard Dixon played a National resonator guitar, Dorsay Dixon played guitar.  During the folk music boom of the 1960s, Dorsay made appearances at folk venues.  I saw him once in D.C.

Two Little Boys was recorded by the Woodward Brothers (owners of the Shamrock) in the 1950s, and was played often on WARL in the 1950s and 60s.  I have their 45rpm record of it.  Writers credit is claimed by Roger and Richard Woodward.  Richard Woodward went by the name Mickey.  They also sang it in waltz time, but didn't use the 6 minor.  It was from the Woodward's recording and live performance that the members of the 1960s Country Gentlemen (including me) learned the song.  When we first played it, we also played it in waltz time, but Duffey said lets pick up the tempo and make it sound more like bluegrass.  I'd guess that was 1961.  The song has had that bluegrass tempo ever since.  Like you say, it was recorded by the Gents on Starday records in 1962.  Writers credit was claimed by Duffey and Waller.

You say it was most popular by Beryl Middleton in 1969.  Strangely, I never heard of it.  I find it strange that I try to find hers on YouTube, and get nothing.  I wonder what melody and tempo she sang it in.

Your friend,
Tom Gray 

 

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