In the 1930s, musicologist John Lomax, working on behalf of the Library of Congress, traveled throughout rural America — and especially its prisons — in search of authentic American folk songs. In 1933, at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Lomax recorded the work songs, ballads and blues of a twelve-string guitarist and singer named Huddie Ledbetter, better known as Lead Belly. The following year Lead Belly was paroled from prison. In time he would be recognized as a nationally known performer. From this scenario, playwright Frank Higgins has fashioned a two-character play with music.... More >>>