It was a wintry Saturday afternoon in rural Cecil County, Maryland, at a one-room post office turned furniture shop near the town of Elkton. Outside the old building, a January wind whistled over snow banks, through the bare branches of trees. But inside, a warm camaraderie was emanating through the room. Three musicians sat together, acoustic guitars on their knees, trading stories and songs, and bridging an age-span of three generations between them. In this special edition of The Signal, producer Aaron Henkin and Maryland Traditions folklorist Cliff Murphy share a selection of recordings made on-site at this multi-generational meeting of the minds, a conversation in songs between folk musicians Burton DeBusk, Hugh Campbell, and Caleb Stine.
Check out these video excerpts of the program, shot by Travis Ktchens:
Burton sings "The Monkey & the Buzzard"
***
Burton, Hugh, and Caleb sing "In the Sweet Bye & Bye"
***
Caleb sings "My Service Isn’t Needed Anymore"
***
Burton meets Caleb
***