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David Morris: an Ethnographic Case Study of an Appalachian Cultural Artist, Producer, Educator and Activist Dissertation Present

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David Morris: an Ethnographic Case Study of an Appalachian Cultural Artist, Producer, Educator and Activist Dissertation Present David Morris: An Ethnographic Case Study of an Appalachian Cultural Artist, Producer, Educator and Activist Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of the Ohio State University By Curtis L. Vance, Jr., M.P.A. Graduate Program Arts Administration, Education and Policy The Ohio State University 2013 Dissertation Committee Christine Ballengee-Morris, Advisor James Sanders, III, Advisor Amy Shuman Copyright by Curtis L. Vance, Jr. 2013 Abstract As a descendant of Appalachian people from the coalfield regions of western Kentucky and West Virginia, I have seen the manner in which Appalachian have been presented and represented. For generations mountain people have been depicted in literature, film and festivals in an often-negative light. It was my intention to explore these displays through the experiences of an insider expert. This dissertation is an ethnographic case study/oral history utilizing the history and expertise of David Morris. Mr. Morris is an Appalachian cultural artisan, festival producer, cultural educator and activist. Through an exploration of The Morris Family Old Time Music Festival and other personal experiences of Mr. Morris, the study provides a better understanding of the presentations and subsequent perceptions of Appalachian people. This dissertation considers historic literature of the region that has provided an exploration of Appalachia and those from the area. Literature about Appalachia includes works by Whisnant (1995), Batteau (1990) and others. The use of these texts provided a foundation of understanding about the long held stereotypes and the history of colonialism that has affected mountain people. In addition to literature about Appalachia, the study utilizes theoretical literature exploring semiotics, authenticity and discourse by experts including Eco, Barthes, Peirce, ii Bakhtin (1981), Foucault (1972), Adorno (1972) and Benjamin (1968). The writings of these scholars enabled the study and my examination of issues regarding Appalachia perceptions through a lens of critical theory. Appalachia is a diverse region with wide ranging vibrant, living cultures, histories and traditions. Despite the diversity of the region, mountain culture has historically been defined as singular and static. With this in mind the conclusion of the dissertation provides recommendations to cultural administrators with regard to the manner in which Appalachian culture is displayed. The study will benefit those interested in culture and heritage fields, including administrators. iii Dedication I dedicate this work to my sons, Caleb Vance and Noah Vance. They are my inspiration for all that I do in life. I would also like to dedicate this work to all of those from Appalachia and elsewhere who have been depicted in a negative light based on your culture, histories and traditions. iv Acknowledgements I would like to thank David Morris, a gentleman who cares truly about family, friends and Appalachia. David is a talented artist, knowledgeable educator and dedicated preservationist of knowledge of a region that has been at the very least overlooked and quite often misunderstood. My discussions with David Morris have enabled me to develop a much better understanding of Appalachia, my family and myself. I am truly grateful for his kindness, intelligence and willingness to share. I am pleased to say that David Morris is my friend. I look forward to many more discussions with him. I recognize that without the assistance, guidance and expertise of my dissertation committee. Thank you to Dr. Christine Ballengee-Morris, Dr. James Sanders, III and Dr. Amy Shuman. All of you have contributed tremendously to my success and I am eternally grateful for all of your contributions. You are among the most intelligent people I have known and I am better for having known each of you. v Vitae August 1993…………………………………B.S. Education, Ohio University August 1998…………………………………M.P.A., The Ohio State University August 2011- May 2013……………………Graduate Teaching Associate, The Ohio State University Fields of Study Major Field: Arts Administration, Education and Policy vi Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................... ii Dedication .............................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................v Vitae ....................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ..........................................................................................................x Chapter 1 Introduction Background .................................................................................................1 Personal Context ........................................................................................11 Statement of the Problem ...........................................................................13 Organization of the Study ..........................................................................22 Chapter 2 Review of Literature and Theoretical Framework Image of Appalachians ..............................................................................24 Festival as Social Movement .....................................................................30 Social Movements and Activism ...............................................................31 Activism in the Coalfields .........................................................................32 Activists the Mountains and the Truth .......................................................34 Conclusion .................................................................................................36 Chapter 3 Methodology Oral History as a Means of Authenticity ...................................................41 vii Power of the People ...................................................................................42 Contributions of Dialogue..........................................................................43 Oral History as Document of Social Change .............................................45 Creating Positions ......................................................................................48 Analytical Framework: A Social Semiotic Discourse Analysis ................48 A Semiotic Analysis of Dialogue ..............................................................50 Semiotic Theory-Eco .................................................................................51 Semiotic Theory-Pierce .............................................................................53 Semiotic Theory-Barthes ...........................................................................53 Lefebvre and Social Space .........................................................................56 Data Collection ..........................................................................................57 Research Questions ....................................................................................57 Guiding Questions .....................................................................................58 Analysis......................................................................................................60 Conclusion .................................................................................................60 Chapter 4 David Morris David Morris Background .........................................................................64 David Morris Interviews ............................................................................68 Chapter 5 Analysis Festivals and Artists Authenticity................................................................................................84 Walter Benjamin Repetition Loss of “Aura” and Authenticity .................86 The Destruction of the Aura ......................................................................87 Loss of the Aura .........................................................................................89 The Dialectic of Authenticity.....................................................................90 viii Context .......................................................................................................92 Power and Relationships ............................................................................95 Chapter 6 Conclusions Recommendations ....................................................................................100 References References ................................................................................................105 Appendices Appendix A: Morris Brothers Article from Goldenseal Magazine .........112 Appendix B: Promotional Material Morris Family Festival Film ...........121 Appendix C: Morris Family Old Time Music Festival Article................122 Appendix D: David Morris Autoharp Article ..........................................124 ix List of Figures Figure 1 Lee Triplett and David Morris at the Morris Family Old Time Music Festival ......................................................................................................... 2 Figure 2 Morris Family Old Time Music Festival Poster ........................................4 Figure 3 Morris Family Old Time Music Festival Poster ........................................5 Figure 4 David Morris
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