Country Music/Name of a Song?

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Expert: Nancy Wood - 1/11/2009


Question
My daughter is trying to find out the name of an old song that she used to sing with her Grandmother, the only words she can remember is "possum in a pan", any help you could give would be appreciated.

Answer
Hi Jim,

I wasn't able to narrow down your request. There are quite a few songs that have possum in it and none specific with possum in the pan.  If it's a regional song, like an old mountain music song indigenous to the Appalachians, a lot of times the song has changed over years, if it was one handed down by voice from one generation to another.  So many versions of the same song could result.  Examples of this is "Knoxville Girl" and "Legend of Barbara Allen."  Both of these songs have many versions with many different verses, some only known to particular singer.  Often nothing has been even written down, just learned over years, kinda like your daughter singing with her Grandmother.
It could be a very time consuming research.... I'd suggest www.google.com and in the search window entering "possum" +"pan" + "lyrics"  (or just "possum" + "lyrics").  That will bring up only links that meet your criteria.  If your daughter remembers more words especially key words in the chorus, it might be easier to research.

Happy hunting!

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Nancy Wood

Expertise

I can usually locate song by artist, excerpts and even circa around when the song was released in country, rock and other genres. ****** PLEASE do not ask me about videos. I do not watch them.******** I've been singing since I started talking, singing in public since I was 7. Still at it at 56. I have an extensive repertoire as well as lots of music. I also actively research for other people, including local djs, music that no one else can find, especially being given just paraphrased lines of songs. I'm the one @ karaoke that usually gets asked, "Who did this song?" or "Do you know a song that goes" and if it's country, I usually can name the song and artist, sometimes give within a couple of years the year of release. I've got a lot of lyrics in my database, as well as friends with working musicians who do open mic jams who have even more extensive databases than I do.

Experience

I've been singing almost 50 years (next year will be anniversary). I've played in bands (country/country crossover, rock and roll and bluegrass). I've worked sound for quite a few folks whose names are easily recognizable. I've got an extensive database of music, not just country. I've

Organizations
ASCAP

Education/Credentials
2 years college
Played in bands, did solo gigs, did sound work for quite a few folks with recognizable names, did official fan club page of Darrell McCall (the first fan club page). Hank Jr and Merle Kilgore was at my wedding, with Merle conducting 'the eulogy.'

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