Norman Blake Ginseng Sullivan

[@robertshorthill6836]

This is one of Norman's most iconic songs. I have listened to and played it for more decades than I can count. What a revolation it was to learn the "bat--tail" yard was a lumber yard named Battelle Lumber Co.

[@leeblake3989]

Old man Sullivan slept with dogs. He always said a sentence twice. He would say, "Gonna be cold tonight, cold tonight. Get cold, reach down pull up another dog, pull up another dog." To this day in the Blake family, including Dad's great-grandchildren, if it is going to be cold we will say, "Going to be a 3 (or 4) dog night."

[@robertshorthill6836]

@@leeblake3989 Are you related to Norman? Is this story where the rock group 3 Dog Night got its name? Cheers my friend. Bob

[@leeblake3989]

@@robertshorthill6836 Yes, I am his oldest son. Dad and the members of 3 Dog Night are friends and recorded together in the early 70's. But, they already had the name.

[@nbforrest9]

​@leeblake3989 Greetings, Lee. I've played bluegrass most of my adult life and was first introduced to this song on Tony Rice's Manzanita project. Coincidentally, some friends and I were just discussing what the exact word or meaning was. In that quest, I found out that there is a Battelle Alabama, a little southwest of Rising Fawn with the spelling in some of the online lyrics being "Battelle Yard." This led me to wonder if your dad was referring to that location? There's no money riding on the answer but you could help us answer a burning question. I've never run across a picker yet who doesn't have have a great admiration for your dad!

[@leeblake3989]

@@nbforrest9 Yes. The Battelle Lumber Mill or "yard" was named for that location. The lumber yard was in Dade Co. GA. If you go to a Google map and voom in, the lumber yard was up near the intersection of Cloverdale Rd. and Old Cloverdale Rd. Old man Sullivan's shack was on Sulphur Springs Gap rd. and after you cross the creek about the second curve. When you are voomed in, the lake you are looking at is where Dad was raised. Those driveways go to the houses on the property.

[@EldoNorte]

As much as I love up-tempo Bluegrass and Old Time, it is guys like Norman Blake whom we have to thank for making this music subtle and pensive. What Blake has given to the World, is among the very best that the U.S. mysterious South has to offer in music. So sad, Norman reportedly did never want to fly thus we could not hear him live in Europe.

[@brandonsmithmusic9694]

I never knew that about norman, what an interesting fact

[@nancychace8619]

@@brandonsmithmusic9694 I never did either. I'm also an old fan for many years. I got to hear him once in a little college bar south of Knoxville. Awesome!

[@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer]

I think he quit flying after a trip to Ireland during the troubles. The RA shelled the airport and he kept having his fiddle case searched.

[@leeblake3989]

@@brandonsmithmusic9694 Dad flew in the early 1970's until the plane he had been on took off a little later and crashed and that was it.

[@leeblake3989]

@@oldtimetinfoilhatwearer That is a true story. Finally, he stood there in Heathrow playing the fiddle. Dad said he made pretty good money.

[@dturner9343]

Norman was the first flatpicker I heard when I was 18 then I got my d 18 and started flatpickig . Thanks you gave me the thing I love 68 now still trying to pick like you.

[@JamesScottGuitar]

Good lord, he plays and sings that so beautifully...such a great songwriter, too.

[@ScrapWoodMandolins]

Never heard the back story behind this classic. Wow! Does he not deliver this song like I've never heard before. Just awesome.

[@Lea99Jones]

Bluegrass guys speed it way the heck up.

[@Dulcimerea]

I heard this song for the first time in a workshop concert played by Norman and Nancy and James in 1982 (Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield Ks.) and got a basic monaural tape recorded of it and used to listen to this song over and over and over, until the tape wore out, and I don't think I ever wore a tape out from too much playing except that one. This is one of the greatest folk songs ever written. It's such imagery and a story and just takes you in. Norman Blake is an American treasure.

[@pinrod8475]

I've been a faithful follower and devoted fan of Normans for forty years and in my opinion he is still the best! I've seen him live many times over the years and talked to him and Nancy! Down home folks and their music portrays it! David Barr from Alabama

[@bungh0LeO]

I got introduced to Norman last year and he's been the biggest influence to me in my acoustic guitar journey. I was never into folk/bluegrass/country throughout my life and a great friend of mine recommended me a few songs from Norman and various other artists. I love and respect Doc and Tony Rice, but there is something to Norman Blake's graceful pickin' and soothing voice that never ceases to leave me in awe.

[@KatieG53]

Amazing! Nothing like the songwriter himself singing and playing his own music... He's always been one of my favorites! You go, Norman!

[@amusicalheart7]

I was turned on to Norman's music by a guitar teacher I had as a teenager back in the early 1980s. I still love his picking and singing. I've been able pick up and incorporate a few licks and riffs from listening to his playing and therefore am proud to count him among my musical influences, probably 2nd only to Doc and Merle.

[@benwrong6855]

Now I know why I am obsessed with this song, I'm turning into Ginseng

[@wesmanshaw]

God bless whoever uploaded this video; I sure love this.

[@nancychace8619]

Thanks for sharing this iconic song. A true American classic.

[@timkandy]

Man, when you hear the author sing their songs it really adds something. This is great, thanks for posting it.

[@DAVINOENTERPRISES]

Named my dog after this song, took me three days to embody his spirit in one word, I love him so...

[@kgcomojo]

Norman God Bless you- May you stay forever young thanks

[@isurelike]

Thank u so much for posting this. I've played the song for years, but never knew the back story. This is a lovely version, too. Time to get out the box and try some of those licks!

[@borderway]

Norman can play an entire gig alone, or play you to sleep...it's a gift none of us will ever have.

[@adesign101]

One of my favorite songs! Thanks so much.

[@OldBanjer]

Norman is the best. Thanks for posting this!

[@acousticspectrum]

Looks like Norman is playing either a Gibson L-00 or Gibson Nick Lucas model, which is basically like an L-00 with a thicker body. I believe in more recent years Norman prefers the smaller body guitars. What a great picker! It took me a while to figure out this is what real guitar picking is all about. Hot licks are cool for a while but this is what it's really about.

[@leeblake3989]

Nick Lucas Special

[@deborahkauffman09]

Norman is THE MAN

[@Lea99Jones]

To the extent that I learned how to play, a good deal of it came from wearing out the vinyl album of Whiskey Before Breakfast. Love Norman. That said, this solo section (after the first chorus) goes all sideways TIME wise at the start of the second go round, by my hearing. Blake, of course, skates right through it and nobody knows the difference. Gorgeous intro!

[@johnauner671]

This is a wonderful solo effort. My favorite version was by Dudley Murphy, Gregg Bruff and Frank Bair in early 70's Springfield, MO. Don't know if recorded but it is deeply grooved into my mind.

[@ryanwilliamson669]

That’s as human as humanity will ever get

[@tomokra]

what beautiful picking!

[@marshallmendoza825]

Great Song

[@KatieG53]

IF you think this is good, you should see this man live and in person!! AWESOME!!

[@harv6803]

Norman is the best.

[@JJCCChannel]

Top class.

[@andy.pitcher]

so lovely

[@petertoatley5465]

The greatest.

[@jeffphillips5632]

Ah to have to story tellers back. There never were enough of them, and now they're fading fast. Is there a song there?!

[@ranchowilli]

sometime they'll give a war and nobody will come, because everyone likes to listen to music and love peace and animals. Mother's Friendship 5 X 5 Mother's Friendship 5 5 5 5 5 Fran Records Costa Rica, USA and Germany.

[@allenvinson]

Love Norman

[@dr.ricklandperry606]

I was there!

[@slgis]

It is a Gibson L-00

[@martinmaniad35]

Just doesn't get any better'n norman blake!

[@adamschmalenberger]

sweeet stuff. nice post

[@shadowknight9807]

Was this filmed while standing on a trampoline? Can't hear either. Nice video!

[@Mntgoatsfan]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Great song. Did you record the whole show? You posted "The D18 song" too as well, didn't you?

[@austenrobinson2747]

American treasure and master picker

[@utub333]

02:00

[@goog2000]

Fantastic. What's that he's playing? Is that a Gibson jumbo?

[@leeblake3989]

Nick Lucas special

[@nickbeier6265]

@@leeblake3989 Gibson L-00, he said so later in the same set

[@stbny4444]

what guitar is he playing?

[@leeblake3989]

A 1927 Gibson Nick Lucas special. Basically, a deep bodied L 00

[@floater156]

Great song, but TR's version is my favorite by far.

[@jeffrohio1]

It is a lovely performance. That is surely a Gibson, but I don't think it is a jumbo. It is too small. I'm not that familiar with the old Gibsons. Maybe someone else can help.

[@1935Martin]

Looks like a Nick Lucas model (1927-41) . Essentially a deep body 00.

[@leeblake3989]

@@1935Martin Correct. It is a 1927.

[@austenrobinson2747]

American treasure and master picker

[@austenrobinson2747]

American treasure and master picker