A Dire Need

There is a dire need for those who can gather the life-stories of people in various areas of the Ozarks, as well as gathering photos, home-made recordings, films, or video, in order to digitally preserve them that they last for many more years. Whether this material is archived on this site, or not, is up to the individuals who presently own this material. Our main focus is to preserve, and thereby perpetuate.

But, we also need those who’ve an interest in continuing the traditions by playing the music in a traditional manner, as well as dancing in a traditional manner. There is much diversity within this context, and yet the aspects of traditional Ozark music and dance have been supplanted by other genres, and styles from other regions. We believe the styles of the Ozarks are unique, complete in themselves, worthy of preserving, and have no need of stylistic influences from outside the Ozarks.

It is our hope that by seeking out the life-stories of the musicians and dancers, then telling of them on these pages, coupled with acquiring recordings, film, or video, and preserving them for posterity by digitally preserving them where possible, that it all can be presented on these pages, for those with an interest, that these things be perpetuated down through the generations . . . just as they’ve always been.

Please contact us if we may assist you with this.