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Research Guides

Bob Nelson Collection of Folk Music: Bob Nelson

A guide to the artists and recordings represented in the Bob Nelson Collection of Folk Music.

About Bob Nelson

I was born in 1937. At age 13, I heard my first folksongs and met Bill Higley. He took me under his wing and taught me guitar and voice. He was a radio man and drilled me constantly on diction and elocution. Early on, I became enchanted by these folk ballads. I loved their stories and their melodies. By my early twenties I had studied voice formally and became fluent on the guitar. I married in 1960, raised three children, and made my living as a carpenter in the Seattle area.
 
I retired in 2005, and have devoted my time since full time to folk music. I perform often,I am co-director of the Pacific Northwest Folklore Society. I still do a little performance coaching, and I am looking forward to putting this five year archive project to bed so I can go fishing. More information available here.

(Bob Nelson, September 2012)

Bob Nelson | "Little Phyllis" (UW Nelson NC147)

Lynne Hann, Bob Nelson | "The Old Settler" (UW Nelson NC127)

Bob Nelson, Nancy Hubbard, Bill Higley | "Roll On Columbia" (UW Nelson NRR037)

Bob Nelson | "Do You Think I Do Not Know" (UW Nelson NC127)

Bob Nelson | "My Mother Chose My Husband" (UW Nelson NC147)

Bob Nelson | "Palace Grand" (UW Nelson NC147)