Interview with Tommy Scott, August 20, 2005

Interview Summary

Tommy Scott is a notable hillbilly music performer and blackface entertainer. Scott discusses his early career with fellow musician Doyle Thompson. Scott and Doyle recall their time spent living and performing in southern Florida during the Great Depression. Scott then describes his radio work in South Carolina. Scott and Doyle discuss their childhoods and memories of going to school together in Toccoa, Georgia. Additionally, Scott remembers performing on Doc Chamberlain's medicine show. Scott is then joined by Ed Jordan, a fellow musician who he teamed up with during his music career. Ed Jordan's early career is described. Scott discusses his routines and performances as a ventriloquist. Scott explains how he ran his traveling family-friendly music show from a business standpoint. Scott and Jordan remember the first show they played together. Additionally, Scott talks of the band he was in with the Monroe brothers, called the Kentucky Partners. Scott's work with Curley Williams is explored. Scott describes some of the acrobatic elements of his traveling music show. Scott discusses working with Joel Price. Scott then remembers the most unique performances and routines of his career. Scott illustrates his career in short films during the 1930s. Scott's recent endeavors in appearing on call-in talk shows are also mentioned. Scott then shows photos from his traveling music show. Scott considers the role of comedy in bluegrass music. Scott shares his memories of performing at the Grand Ole Opry. The role of Scott's wife in his shows is also considered. Additional pictures of Scott and his memorabilia are shown. Scott's work with Curly Seckler and Stringbean is explored. Scott provides an insight into his songwriting process. The evolution of Scott's music style is chronicled. Scott concludes the interview with a reflection on his success as a songwriter.

Interview Keyword

Fiddles Fiddle players Doyle Thompson (Artist) Charlie Monroe (Artist) Bill Monroe (Artist) Wife Radio shows Doc Chamberlain (Artist) Ed Jordan (Artist) Kentucky Partners (Artist) Curley Williams (Artist) Joel Price (Artist) Curly Seckler (Artist) Stringbean (Artist) Great Depression

Interview LC Subject

Toccoa (Ga.) Florida Radio stations Early life Medicine shows Patent medicines Ventriloquism Ventriloquists Ventriloquists' dummies Blackface Songs Songwriters Short films Circus Performances Television shows Photographs Comedy Grand ole opry (Radio program) Lyrics Stereotypes (Social psychology) Bluegrass musicians Musical performance Music--Performance. Bluegrass music Depressions--1929--United States

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.