Tom, Brad, and Alice rehearse "Gum Tree Canoe"

This outtake footage from our film "YOU GAVE ME A SONG: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF ALICE GERRARD" features the power trio Tom, Brad, and Alice, aka Tom Sauber, Brad Leftwich, and Alice Gerrard. They were squeezing in a rehearsal between teaching and performing gigs at the Swannanoa Gathering at Warren Wilson College in the NC mountains. Our film features a number of songs from this favorite ensemble. If you haven’t explored their music, check out their albums via Alice’s bandcamp shop or your favorite music outlets. Also felt moved to share about the origins of this tune and connections with racism in America••••““Gum Tree Canoe” was published in the book Plantation Melodies published by Geo P. Reed c. 1847. The song and book are part of the blackface minstrel tradition in which performers (generally white) sang and danced in purported imitation of the music and dances of African Americans.” Our DVD/CD Box set available now at www.alicegerrardfilm.com