Golden Slippers


			Golden Slippers A *musical written by Ned McIntosh and Ed DeLong, based on the life and music of the famous black composer, James Bland, a contemporary of Stephen Foster in the era of minstrel music.* Bland wrote over 700 songs, most memorable of which were "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia", its state song; "Oh, Dem Golden Slippers", theme song of the Philadelphia 'Mummers', and "In the Evening By the Moonlight", included in the repertoire of every barbershop quartet. The musical, co-authored by Ned McIntosh and Ed DeLong, was recently produced by the drama society of the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore (UMES) and performed at the University and as part of the Berlin MD, Arts and Entertainment District, Spring Arts Weekend celebration. *Both performances attracted impressive audiences.*
		Michael Crutchfield, with banjo, in the role of James A. Bland, and his girl friend Mannie, played by Miracle Banks, sing a duet of "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia", written by Bland, whose life and music were the basis of the original musical, "Golden Slippers," which drew an audience of over 500 people when it was performed as the last event of the Berlin Spring Arts Festival on May 7, 2006.
Matt Creamer, member of the "Backfin Banjo Band," is dressed in the Mummers costume of the Philadelphia Quaker City String Band, in the opening number of "Golden Slippers," as the band marches to the tune "Oh! Dem Golden Slippers".

		For information about the play, performers or playwrights, contact: Ned McIntosh at 410-641-9502 Links to information about James A. Bland

	" Oh! Dem Golden Slippers!" by James A. Bland (published by John F. Perry & Co., Boston, 1879) If the mp3 version does not automatically play, you can hear the song can be heard at: http://www.stephen-foster-songs.de/Amsong35.htm