This Week in Ark. History, Episode 43: "Folk Artist of the Ozarks"
Channel: Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston
Date: 2013-11-01

Episode 43, "Folk Artist of the Ozarks," is part of a made-for-radio series presented by Secretary of State Mark Martin. During the folk music revival of the 1960s, a "ballad hunter" from Memphis discovered a living songbook in Almeda James Riddle of Greers Ferry, Arkansas. She knew hundreds of folks songs by heart, man dating to 17th-century England, Ireland and Scotland. She recorded the songs and traveled the country as the "Folk Artist of the Ozarks."

Each episode of "This Week" features notable events, personalities and landmarks that have shaped the state's history. We've adapted these clips for the web to bring you a peek into the Natural State's past that we hope you'll enjoy. Watch for more episodes on our YouTube channel, ArkansasSOS.