Eighth Generation Ballad Singers
When I traveled to the English and Scottish countryside, the further back in the woods I traveled, the more I found people who “sang the way we sing.” I realized that when I sing ballads, the memory is so far back that I can’t even remember how I learned to sing it the way I do.
Interview with Joe Penland, July 2010
Dee Dee Norton Buckner in 1970s Photo copyright Rob Amberg 2010
The ballads sung in Madison County resonate with the history of the folk ballads brought by their ancestors from Scotland and England over a century before. There is no doubt about the musical heritage when hearing the voices of the many Madison County ballad singers.
Denise Norton in the 1970s Photo copyright Rob Amberg 2010
There exists no greater proof of the ballad legacy today than the sisters whose exposure to music at a very young age was as natural and expected as any standard child-rearing practice. The eighth generation of ballad singers descended from the premiere Wallin/Chandler families is found in Denise Norton O’Sullivan and Dee Dee Norton Buckner. Denise and Dee Dee are sisters and great-granddaughters of Dellie Norton. Dee Dee continues to perform in Madison County. Denise learned her ballads from Granny Dell, as well as her great aunt Inez Chandler and cousin Doug Wallin.
Their half-sister Donna Ray Norton’s mother is Lena Jean Ray whose father is Byard Ray so she continues the talented music tradition. The three appeared in the 2005 Asheville Film Festival’s Audience Choice Award winning documentary Madison County Project along with their cousin Sheila Kay Adams.
Denise Norton O'Sullivan
Both Denise and Donna are well-regarded members of the younger generation of Madison County ballad singers and perform at venues all over the area and have released CDs of their music.
Donna Ray Norton
One of Donna’s traditional ballads is Pretty Peggy-O. The narrative songs have been in their family for generations.
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