John Hartford - Ramblin - 01 - Julia Belle Swain

[ztlost]

gave me goosebumps (& not on account of the rain) On the day we saw him, he had to stop performing due to some barges approaching......but returned and apologized for multi tasking, lol

[KKat77]

John was an acquaintance of mine, and he once invited me to go on the Julia Belle Swain that he was piloting down the Mississippi. He told me how he loved entertaining his passengers, and I really looked forward to going... but then I got really busy and never went! I figured I'd do it someday. I didn't expect him to get sick and die so relatively young. I always regretted that I missed out on that amazing experience. He was a great guy, and I miss him!

[sofraj]

We went up to Lacrosse, WI in 2007 and just happened to find the Julia Belle Swain. A very special day indeed.

[DooDahDuquette]

Beloved still.

[Quacko28]

Johnny85er you're the best...all of these videos of the magical banjo magician and a fine Human you have here are awesome..........THANKS THANKS THANKS!!!!

[vasdenfoot]

Wow-Julia Belle Swain in Bb. He normally did it D. Thats a big change for singing.

[srvnumber1fan]

Wow, what a blast from the past. We lived in Peoria, IL from 1975-1981 and rode this great boat a few times. What a great way to see the river!

[allendale1962]

I used to play the calliope on the JBS. Check out my ragtime piano playing on youtube! Thanks ... allendale62

[UterusMeningitis]

My name is Julia Belle, my dad named me after this <3

[D4RK3W0LF]

@UterusMeningitis Your dad's got his head on straight! It's a PRIMO name, even if you are named after a steamboat :)

[samborez]

@UterusMeningitis Got a sister named Katie Belle?  ; )

[fetteclan]

@UterusMeningitis That's way cool!!!

[budhasac]

Ive allways dreamed of being a cook on a river boat like this. Just need to find the right Captain!

[reywilliamr]

keep bringing her ahead hard john we will keep the cylinders hot. i remember a great day we stood in the piolt house together with capt fred way and watched the waters flow by. god to do that again. thanks for the memories.

bill reynolds

former chief

[mrkmully]

Thank you so much for posting these videos. You're making a lot of people very happy, including me!

[Westomania]

Where's captain Eric?

[Pearhead4207]

damn..thats the bridge in Peoria right behind the Peoria Riverfront Stage that YONDER ROCKED OUT LAST SUMMER :)

[oldwaysgotthrwayagn]

Hartford is from U. city in St.louis. He worked as a steamboat pilot on the Illinois River for Dennis Trone, the guy at the beginning. He was all over the river towns pickin' banjo. Yonder is awesome also, much respect.