If you remember Linda Ronstadt singing “High Muddy Water” or Peter, Paul & Mary doing “Stewball,” you are acquainted with John Herald. They are his songs. The Manhattan born son of a poet learned music in the folk clubs of Greenwich Village where he was inspired by Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, and Pete Seeger.

He was a founder of the Greenbriar Boys along with Eric Weissberg and Bob Yellin. They became the first invading Yankees to win recognition at the Union Grove Fiddlers Convention here in North Carolina. They also backed Joan Baez on her second album.

Over the years, Herald’s songs were recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Doc Watson, Bette Midler, and Ian & Sylvia among others.

This appearance is from the St. John’s Day celebration at the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, June 28, 2003. John Herald died in 2005 at age 65.

See John here.