Anthology of American Folk Music
Volume 1: Ballads, Track 10
WILLIE MOORE
Burnett and Rutherford 
Recorded Atlanta, GA: November 3, 1927
Richard Burnett, vocal and banjo; Leonard Rutherford, fiddle
Originally released on Columbia 15314D
Richard Burnett (1883-1977) and Leonard Rutherford (ca. 1900-ca. 1950s) who were both from Monticello, Kentucky,recorded frequently during the 1920s. "Dick" Burnett became a professional musician after being blinded from a gunshot wound during a robbery in 1907. As a teenager, Leonard Rutherford started playing with Burnett in 1914. They played in an archaic and musically distinctive style (Charles Wolfe, notes to Rounder 1004). Burnett's 1913 ballad "Farewell Song" evolved into the well-known folk song "A Man of Constant Sorrow" (Bill Malone, Country Music U.S.A., pg. 46).
Burnett was still working as a chairmaker at the age of 90, in Monticello, when interviewed by Charles Wolfe in April 1973 (Old Time Music 9). During the interview, Burnett claimed that he and Rutherford initially recorded because of a store owner in Virginia who wanted to sell records of them. Because of the store owner's interest in the two musicians, he talked a Columbia talent scout in Atlanta into recording them. Burnett remembered learning "Willie Moore" from a printed ballad. Burnett died in 1977; Rutherford had died sometime in the 1950s from complications related to epilepsy.
FOR ADDITIONAL RECORDINGS BY BURNETT AND RUTHERFORD:
See Ramblin' Reckless Hobo (RND 1004a); and the collections Collection of Mountain Fiddle Music (CTY 501a); Collection of Mountain Songs (CTY 504a); Collection of Mountain Blues (CTY 511a); Old Time Ballads from the Southern Mountains (CTY 522a); Old Time Mountain Ballads (CTY 3505c); Ballads and Breakdowns of the Golden Era (COL 9660a); Traditional Country Classics 1927-1929 (HIS 8003a); Round the Heart of Old Galax; and Wink of the Other Eye (Morning Star 45003a).
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON BURNETT AND RUTHERFORD:
See Old Time Music 9 (1973), Old Time Music 10 (1973), and a discography in Old Time Music 12 (1974).
OTHER RECORDED VERSIONS INCLUDE:
Traditional American Folk: Clarence Ashley and Doc Watson (SFW CD 40029c); Delta Hicks (TFS 104a); The Philo Glee and Mandoline Society (PRT 5007a); Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson (SFW CD 40005c); Doc Watson (VG 6576c).
Folksong revival: Bob Abrams and Steve Mote (Abrams and Mote 30024a); Joan Baez (Grapevine 208c, Guardian 34989c, VG 79446/7c); Erik Darling (TRD 1007a); Barry Hall (SFW CD 3533c); The Kossoy Sisters (TRD 1018a, SI 046c); Old Reliable String Band (SFW CD 2475c); Peggy Seeger (VG 2088a); The Southern Eagle String Band (BF 15010a); Happy Traum (KM 110a, SH 97002c).
Post revival: Tom Bledsoe (JA 042a); Hesperus (Golden Apple 7553c); Brian Keane (SH 6013c).
Bluegrass: Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin (RND 0334c).
