WANTED: Citations that Link Bones with Early Ragtime Music

[Scott Miller]

I need your help.

For those in the know, musical bones and ragtime work quite well together. And over the years I have met several knowledgeable musicians who agree that bones playing was part of the early ragtime music scene. But I have yet to see a shred of hard evidence that substantiates this conclusion.

So I am looking for factual evidence which supports the claim that bone playing (already quite popular within minstrel circles) was associated with early ragtime music.

As a part of next year's annual Scott Joplin Festival in Sedalia, Missouri, I have agreed to give a symposium talk on the topic of bones and ragtime.

And that's why I urgently need your help now.

Here's how you can help:
Have you seen any factual evidence that associates bones playing with early ragtime music?

• Specifically, can you cite an article or advertisement in a vintage newspaper that mentions bones and ragtime? Or maybe you've seen a clipping from a vintage magazine? How about an ad or product description you might have come across in a vintage catalog?
• Maybe you have seen a handbill or broadside or poster in a museum that says something about the bones and ragtime?
• Have you ever seen a photograph (or illustration, painting or drawing) that portrays a ragtime scene with someone rattlin' the bones? How about an anecdote in a story or a novel or diary? And if you can cite an early ragtime recording with bones accompaniment, then that would be nirvana.

So if you have seen *any* factual evidence whatsoever that demonstrates an association between early ragtime music and bones playing, I would love to see it. And so would your minstrel and classic banjo buddies. After all, bringing history to life is what this Banjo Ning Group is about. Of course, your discovery of a document that establishes a solid connection between bones and early ragtime music would make a significant historical contribution to the annual Scott Joplin Festival.

And your discovery would also make a significant impact on the world community of banjo scholars - as well as the world community of ragtime scholars (as well as the many folks who actively support banjo and ragtime music). I don't have to tell you these people are always delighted to see any exciting new historical footnote that invigorates this fascinating musical genre.

The world community of bones players would be absolutely ecstatic about such a historical find, too. But you already know that.

I've got just half-a-year to put this talk together - and the clock is ticking fast. So please keep an eagle-eye out for anything that connects bones and ragtime, okay? And if you want to spread the word about this search to your friends and colleagues who support ragtime - then that would be great!

Thank you for any help you can offer in this quest. And if you do find any factual evidence linking bones to ragtime music, then your fellow banjo and ragtime and bones buddies will be forever grateful.

[cross-posted in Minstrel Banjo and Classic Banjo Ning]