[Dixielandjazz] "Dixie"

[JimDBB at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/23/03 3:15:33 PM Central Standard Time, 
gwilliamoakley at earthlink.net writes:


> You are correct Jim.  "Dixie" was written by Dan Emmett and introduced by 
> him in Bryant's Minstrels on April 4, 1859.  If memory serves it was 
> performed in Pittsburgh. The minstrel show was a popular form of 
> entertainment until the turn of the century but its heyday ended with the 
> civil war.
> And boy do I agree with the racial dross comment.  I used it in all 
> innocence as a finale for one of my shows at the Heritage Square Opera 
> House in Denver.  The Denver Post critic was there with her date who 
> happened to be black. The song sent him into a tirade in the lobby after 
> the show.  She had penned a very critical review but  the managing editor 
> of the paper (who fortunately was a fan of the Opera House) put a hold on 
> it until he could further investigate.  A committee from the NAACP came out 
> and saw the show and found nothing offensive about the number.  She rewrote 
> the review and it all ended happily.  But the point is, the number was 
> originally just a stirring piece of nostalgia which was how I was using it. 
>  All the baggage that people bring to the song is unfortunate.
> Regards,
> Bill

   Thanks for the info and you experience with 'Dixie", Bill.  I am curious 
about your show.  What kind of show was this and how did you use 'Dixie" in 
the show?

   Jim Beebe
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