I'm Old But I'm Awfully Tough: Traditional Music of the Ozark Region

I’m Old But I'm Awfully Tough: Traditional Music of the Ozark Region is a collection of field recordings made in southern Missouri and in northern Arkansas over the period of 1975–76 by members of the Missouri Friends of the Folk Arts. The singers, instrumentalists, and storytellers who appear on these recordings reveal the variety and richness of the folk traditions in the Ozark region, from unaccompanied fiddling and banjo to Child Ballads and sung hymns. Many of these tunes and songs are only available on these recordings and none of these performers had appeared on record before its original release in 1977. Liner notes detail extensive history of the region, its music, and the songs featured on the compilation.

The producers give special thanks to Alan Jabbour at the American Folklife Center, Joe Hickerson at the Archive of Folksong of the Library of Congress, Joe Wilson at the National Council for the Traditional Arts, R. P. Christenson, Leroy Pierson, Gary Watson, and Joe Pfeffer. The original release of this album was supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Missouri Arts Council.

Track Listing: 

1.) I'm Old but I'm Awfully Tough - Lee Finis Cameron "Tip" McKinney

2.) Lighthouse - Emmanuel Wood and Family

3.) Story (1) - Emmanuel Wood and Family

4.) Dixie Blossom - Emmanuel Wood and Family

5.) Walk Along John - Emmanuel Wood and Family

6.) Spokane Waltz - Emmanuel Wood and Family

7.) Bear Creek Sally Goodin - Emmanuel Wood and Family

8.) Rattlesnake and the Texas Pony - Green Berry Horton

9.) Story (2) - Green Berry Horton

10.) Over the Woods and Through the Snow - Green Berry Horton

11.) Bunker Hill - Green Berry Horton

12.) Midnight Shuffle - Green Berry Horton

13.) Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star - Troy Lee, Rex and Ray Offutt

14.) Old Fort Smith - Troy Lee, Rex and Ray Offutt

15.) Unnamed Schottische - Troy Lee, Rex and Ray Offutt

16.) Durang's Hornpipe - Troy Lee, Rex and Ray Offutt

17.) Whiskey Before Breakfast - Troy Lee, Rex and Ray Offutt

18.) Kentucky Waltz - Troy Lee, Rex and Ray Offutt

19.) Gone the View That Land - Lee Finis Cameron "Tip" McKinney

20.) Gypson Davy - Lee Finis Cameron "Tip" McKinney

21.) Wandering Boy - Lee Finis Cameron "Tip" McKinney

22.) Heaven Bells Are Ringing - Lee Finis Cameron "Tip" McKinney

23.) Dance Around Molly - Jake Hockemeyer and Russ Orchard

24.) Coming Down from Denver - Jake Hockemeyer and Russ Orchard

25.) Marmaduke's Hornpipe - Jake Hockemeyer and Russ Orchard

26.) The Death of the Old Sow - Lawrence Baker

27.) The Old Man Who Lived in the West - Lawrence Baker

28.) She Oughta Been a Lady - Vesta Johnson and Don Womack

29.) Story (3) - Vesta Johnson and Don Womack

30.) Fat Meat and Dumplings - Vesta Johnson and Don Womack

31.) Middlegrove - Frank Reed and Alva Lee Hendren

32.) Stoney Point - Frank Reed and Alva Lee Hendren

33.) Massa Bill - Frank Reed and Alva Lee Hendren

34.) Fox Chase - Frank Reed and Alva Lee Hendren

35.) Story of la Guignolee - Rose Pratt

36.) La Guignolee - Rose Pratt

37.) Story (4) - Rose Pratt

38.) La Guignolee (Instrumental) - Charlie Pashia and Joe Politte

39.) Rustic Dance - Charlie Pashia

40.) Father's Schottische - Charlie Pashia

41.) Jenny Put The Kettle On - Joe Politte

42.) Story and Unnamed Tune - Joe Politte

43.) Molly Musk - Joe Politte

44.) Mule Stories - Joe Politte

45.) The Old Rock Road - Joe Politte

46.) Old Man Portell's Tune - Joe Politte

47.) Grand Picnic - Joe Politte