Texas Gladden
Re: http://www.ink19.com/issues/december2001/features/top19AlbumsThat.html
I read your “19 Albums that almost made my top 10″ post earlier and this jumped out at me:
11) Texas Gladden, Ballad Legacy (Rounder)
…this record. Texas Gladden was Hobart Smith’s sister. This record captures her rough Appalachian voice in a variety of settings, mostly a capella — no one captures gloom and hope like Texas did. And her murder ballads are even more chilling than her brother’s.
Texas Gladden is my great-grandmother. Â I was wondering if you all would have any idea where I could look for more information about her? Â It’s funny - I know my great-grandmother’s name, but I don’t know her husband’s name or her parents or how many siblings she had. Â And, obviously, I know my grandfather’s name, but he had ten brothers and sisters and I don’t even know if I know all of THEIR names and I’m just trying to start finding out a little bit more than I know.
September 3rd, 2007 at 2:19 pm
I was thrilled to read your inquiry about Texas Gladden. I am related to you through your great-grandfather. I have been researching Texas and Hobart for a while and I’ve gathered some great information. My family is very much into genealogy and they have a lot about your line. My grandmother was 11 years older than Texas and knew her very well. I remember hearing her sing when I was a kid. I remember loving her voice, being impressed by “how famous” she was, but most of all, being fascinated by the large goiter she had on her neck. My mother and three of her sisters are still alive (ages 77-86) and they have many first hand memories of Texas. They also knew Texas’ son Hobart, named after his uncle, very well. There are a lot of us cousins, and we think we’re worth getting to know. I don’t live in Roanoke, like many of them, I live in Colorado. I have lived here for 30 years, but I go back often. My husband is a great musician. He plays banjo, guitar, piano, fiddle, harmonica, mandolin and a little dulcimer. (Hobart would be proud) My 3 grown kids sing and play guitar. They all have wonderful voices and harmonize together and perform as often as they can. My husband was playing in a bluegrass band when I met him in 1975.
Please contact me, I can help fill in some of the gaps.
-Kay Gerke
(I come through the Ferguson-Henderson line.)
October 19th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
I am King Edward Smith IV, middle daughter. His parents were Blanche and Preston Smith. Preston and Hobart were brothers? Or Hobart was Preston’s uncle. My mother knows-but I forget. My dad also had 12 brothers and sisters-it gets very confusing.
I’m researching Texas and Hobart while helping my son who is a senior in high school write an essay for college applicaitons, explaining why he wants to study music. We included how King Edward played with Texas and Hobart at age 13 for Rooselvet on White Top Mountain. I live in Roanoke. I would love to have some of the information from Kay.
You can contact me at dawn01@comcast. net
Neat to have such family history!
June 24th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I am a grand-daughter of Texas and James. My father is Fred Gladden, the youngest of their sons. My brother is the family archivist and has done extensive research on the family. I can put you in touch with him if you drop me a line: fangz1956@comcast.net
Some of the other Gladden grand-children have extensive information about Granny as well. Of all of their children, only one is still survivng. That is the youngest daughter Eleanor “Wilma” Jean Vandergrift and she resides in the old homeplace.
How well I remember some of the times growing up and having Granny sing to us. I had forgotten how powerful her voice was until my brother sent me one of her CD’s several years ago. When I heard the first note, it was like being in that house all over again. What a legacy we have been given.
Drop me a line. I would love to hear from you.
Cindy Gladden Tuttle