Today’s archive upload is a 2005 compilation of Pine Breeze‘s recordings from 1975 through ’81. Ron Williams (passed away July 25th, 2025) recorded most of these songs, while assisting in the production of this compilation and writing liner notes as well. We recommend reading the PDF booklet available below.
Scans
We have removed the songs that we have digitized in archived records before. Charles Wolfe breaks down the history and origins of the tracks in this the PDF above, an article on folk music written by him is here. All credits and rights go to Jubilee Records. Ron Williams and his family want monetary donations sent to the Humane Educational Society.
12.27.1977
A short synopsis (more info on other posts): between 1975 and 1981, the students of Pine Breeze Center in Chattanooga, TN, released eight LPs of field recordings of local traditional musicians. This was a time when oral history projects and student projects documenting local traditions were a popular educational activity. Pine Breeze was not a regular high school; Pine Breeze Center was a State residential facility serving 23 East Tennessee counties’ most severe emotionally disturbed adolescents. “Most of the musicians that were taped were not professionals who earned a living from playing music. They enjoyed playing at Chattanooga’s old time fiddle contests, square dances and community events.” – Jerry Summers. More credits can be found in the album’s PDF booklet we have uploaded in paragraph one. Available below and on YouTube.