Cash money records.com

Folklore researcher and emeritus professor of chemistry at the University of Georgia John Garst thinks he may have found links to the real-life events that inspired the legend of John Henry. Dr. Garst has found evidence that the legendary steel driver was from Alabama instead of West Virginia, where previous studies have placed him. His research has been focused on the area around Leeds, Alabama (east of Birmingham). Based on accounts from C.C. Spencer, an ex-railroad worker, who claims to have been present at the contest between man and machine, Garst thinks that the legend was actually John Henry Dabney. His working hypothesis has Dabney as a former slave who worked at the railroad tunnel near Leeds in 1867 and competed against the steam drill in September of that year. While he has yet to find documentation on the actual contest, Dr. Garst remains optimistic about his findings.

In its listing of the top ten best Canadian albums of 2001, To-Nite Magazine included a strong showing from the folk and roots blues genres. Winners included Michael Jerome Browne's Drive On, Paul Reddick and the Sidemen for Rattlebag, Brian Gladstone's Psychedelic and the Whiteley Brothers for Taking Our Time. For a full listing, you can visit <www.to-nite.net>. Congratulations to all the winners!

Recent events have stressed the importance of bringing people of different cultures together. To help in this important effort, Putumayo Records has donated copies of their second children's CD to 12,000 families affected by the September 11 tragedy. World Playground 2 includes an expanded introduction to world music. Their multi-cultural activity kit is being used in more than 5,000 schools and they are currently developing a consumer version. For more information, check out <www.putamayo.com>.

Citi-Arts and eSRT.com have also put out a compilation CD to benefit the children and victims of September 11. The artists involved in Unify all donated their talents to the project. To order, just visit <esrt.com> and click on the Unify CD image. All profits are set up to go to a variety of charities dealing with the disaster, the consumer can choose which. Citi-Arts is a nonprofit organization that is currently working on its "Tribute to New York and New Yorkers" mural program. eSRT.com is a duplicator of digital media and online CD store and listening booth. For those of you not on the web, you can call 800-829-7527.

This year's BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards show was held Monday February 11. Among the winners were Martin Carthy as Folk Singer of the Year; Martin Simpson for Best Album and Instrumentalist; Cherish the Ladies as Best Group (the first time an American group has been recognized in this category!); Kate Rusby for Best Original Song; Cara Dillon for Best Traditional Track and Horizon Award; and Rory McLeod as Best Live Act. Three Lifetime Achievement Awards were given out this year: Fairport Convention, celebrating their 35th anniversary this year, were presented with this honor; Ralph McTell was presented his award for a lifetime of great song-writing; and Irish music pioneers The Chieftains were honored for their role in bringing the music of their homeland to international prominence. To find out more about the awards show and this year's winners, check out <www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/folk/ folk_awards/webcast.shtml>. Congratulations to all!

This past summer, North Carolina's Swannanoa Gathering Folk Arts Workshops honored Jean Ritchie, David Holt and John McCutcheon with their Master Music Maker Awards. The week-long summer workshop series saluted these performers and educators for their tireless work to preserve and inspire the appreciation of traditional music. David and John are members of the Gathering's Advisory Board and, with Jean, have served on the camp's staff. For more information on the Swannanoa Gathering and its 2002 schedule, please call 828-298-3434 or visit <www.swangathering.com>.

We'd like to extend anniversary best wishes to the performing duo Cooper & Nelson celebrating 20 years of playing folk music. Their first performance was in 1982 at the Fox Valley Folk Festival. You can check out their website <members.aol.com/coopnet/index.htm>.

After bluegrass artist and songwriter Randall Hylton passed away last summer, Pinecastle Records and its roster of artists got together to help out Randall's family. In October 2001, Pinecastle released The Randall Hylton Tribute: In Memory Of A Friend, with proceeds donated to a college fund set up for Randall's son, Blake. This past February, the record company presented the first check to Blake and Pat Hylton. The album is comprised of Randall's friends and fellow musicians performing some of his best-loved songs. You can call Pinecastle at 800-473-7773 or visit their website <www.pinecastle.com>.

Congratulations go out to all 120 of the winners of the 2001 John Lennon Songwriting contest. Arthur J. Godfrey took the grand prize award for the folk category with his song "Simple Man" while Tom Sharpe's "Like Setting Myself On Fire" won for world music. All winners receive cash prizes, equipment and publishing contracts. Entries may now be submitted for the 2002 contest. You can find out more by calling 888-884-JLSC or visiting <www.jlsc.com>.

We'd also like to congratulate all the winners of the 2001 USA Songwriting Competition. New York City singer-songwriter Steve Tannen took the Overall Grand prize with his "Picture Of You." Second place went to Shawn Eiferman of Las Vegas and Jen Chapin, daughter of Harry Chapin, took the Overall Third Prize. First prize in the Folk category went to Boston singer-songwriter Barbara Kessler for her "Angels Are Crying." Congratulations to all!

Entries for the 2002 competition are currently being accepted. The deadline is May 31, 2002. Winning songs receive national radio airplay, cash prizes and national exposure. There are 15 categories in which songs may be entered. For more information, please visit <www.songwriting.net> or call toll-free 877-USA-SONG.

Michael Fagien has informed us that he has produced a compilation CD to benefit the victims and families of the September 11th tragedy with proceeds going to the American Red Cross. Artists on Homeland include Pat Metheny, Charlie Haden, Mike Mainieri, Marc Johnson, Dave Douglas, Jay Graydon, Michael Hedges, Leni Stern, Richard Leo Johnson and others. To find out more, you can reach Michael by e-mail <mfagien@jazziz.com>.

We're happy to announce that Musicians United to Sustain the Environment (MUSE) have released a CD to benefit grants funding wilderness and wildlife protection. Eye Of The Hunter, their second effort, was produced in partnership with Predator Conservation Alliance and celebrates various predatory species. The album includes tracks by Jez Lowe, Magpie, Country Joe MacDonald, Larry Long, and Walkin' Jim Stoltz. For more information, please check out MUSE's website <www.musemusic.org>.

We've gotten word that singer-songwriter / humorist Carla Ulbrich has recently suffered two strokes. She has cancelled all gigs for the near future and postponed the release of her new CD. We wish her well in her recovery. For up-to-date information on Carla, please visit her website <www.carlau.com>.

The Rhode Island not-for-profit organization Family Service has just released a CD benefitting their new school for children with learning and emotional problems. While targeted mainly at kids, Lazy Day And Other Notions appeals to folk fans of all ages. Artists lending their talents include Livingston Taylor, Folks Together, Bill Harley, Barbara Phaneuf and JP Jones.

If you're interested in learning more, you can visit <www.oso.com/ homes/special/mtpleasant.html> or email <hugst@familyserviceri.org>.

M.C. Records passed along the news that blues performer R.L. Burnside's house burned down last Fall. To help in his time of need, the record company is donating $3 per R.L. Burnside CD sold through M.C. Records directly to R.L. He has released two discs on M.C.: 1997's W.C. Handy Award nominee Acoustic Stories and Well ... Well ... Well ... in 2001. Credit card orders will be taken over the phone at 888-562-2779 or through e-mail <mc@mc-records.com>. You can send a check or money order to P.O. Box 1788, Huntington Station NY 11746. R.L.'s CDs are $15 shipped in the U.S and Canada and $18 elsewhere. You can check out M.C. Records on the Internet at <www.mc-records.com>.