Explore the captivating life of Floyd Collins, a cave explorer trapped underground, and the national spotlight on his rescue. Dive into the tragic stories of Collins and Lee Bible. Follow the inspiring musical journey of blind songwriter Andy Jenkins, creating event songs based on real tragedies.
Floyd Collins' tragic cave incident captivated the nation, showcasing the dangers of exploration and the perseverance of rescuers.
Blind musician Andy Jenkins turned real-life tragedies into songs, highlighting the exploitation artists face in the music industry.
Deep dives
The Tragic Story of Floyd Collins
Floyd Collins, a 37-year-old man from Kentucky, known for his cave explorations, found himself trapped underground while trying to make caves accessible to tourists. His ordeal captured national attention as rescuers worked tirelessly to save him. Despite the efforts, Collins tragically perished after being trapped for 14 days, leaving a lasting impact on the community.
The Career of Andy Jenkins as a Songwriter
Andy Jenkins, a blind musician from Georgia, became a successful songwriter by turning tragic events into songs that reflected the news of the time. His first hit song about Floyd Collins propelled his career as a songwriter who captured the essence of current events through music. Although his success waned over time, Jenkins continued to create music that resonated with audiences, leaving a musical legacy that outlasted the headlines.
Legacy and Exploitation in the Music Industry
Despite Andy Jenkins' talent for creating poignant songs inspired by real-life events, he faced exploitation in the music industry. His business partner, Polk Brockman, profited from Jenkins' songwriting talents, leaving him with minimal financial rewards. This exploitation mirrors a common narrative in the industry where talented artists are taken advantage of for financial gain, highlighting the challenges faced by musicians in balancing creativity and commercial success.
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Music
Un geant dans la mer and Triste soiree III from the score to Marie et les naufrages by the genius, Sebastian Tellier.
Love is Blue by Jackie Mittoo and the Soul Vendors.
Rocky Passage by Jeremiah Chiu and Marta Sofia Honer
Morris Visits Dr. Pratt from John Barry's score to The Wrong Box
Adios Muchachos from Andre Popp
Moonlight in Vermont from the great Dorothy Ashby.
Midnight Moon by The Portland Cello Project
Dance PM by Hiroshi Yoshimura
And we hear Blind Andy Jenkins' "Floyd Collins in Sand Cave" followed by Vernon Dalhart doing the same song under the name, "The Death of Floyd Collins." We also hear Jimmy Osbourne do Andy's, "The Death of Little Kathy Fiscus."
Notes
I have a note in my years-long running list of possible story ideas that says, "event songs," but I could never remember why. Then I was reading Charles Hirschberg and Mark Zwonitzer's, Will You Miss me When I'm Gone?: The Carter Family & Their Legacy in American Musicand was reminded of Andy's story (that book is great).
I also recommend the always-useful, Country Music USA, by Bill C. Malone for more on Andy and his era as well as Creating Country Music: Fabricating Authenticity by Richard A. Peterson.
If you want more about poor Floyd Collins, you could turn to Robert K. Murray and Roger W. Bruckner's, Trapped!: The Story of Floyd Collins.