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Records of the Cross Country folk trio

 Collection
Identifier: PIMS-0030

Scope and Contents

The records of the Cross Country folk trio (1983-1993) contain the musical group's administrative documents, photographs, and recordings. Series 1 consists of promotional material, venue information, correspondence, and set lists. Series 2 includes performance and promotional photographs of the group. Series 3 contains reel-to-reel and cassette recordings of Cross Country.

Dates

  • Creation: 1983 - 1993

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for use at the Peabody Archives.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright. All requests for permission to publish or perform materials in this collection must be submitted in writing to the archivist of the Arthur Friedheim Library.

Biographical / Historical

Cross Country was a popular folk trio formed in 1986. Based in the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area, the trio was well known for their vocal harmonies and spirited instruments. The members, Ned Quist (tenor, guitar, and penny whistle), Carol Thomas Downing (soprano, fiddle, and 12-string guitar), and John Yankee (baritone, harmonica, and keyboard), all came from Peabody Institute.

Ned Quist, originally from Vermont, settled in Baltimore in 1973. He earned degrees from Colgate University, Peabody Conservatory, and Catholic University. Quist was also Librarian of the Arthur Friedheim Library at the Peabody Conservatory of Music. In 1981, Quist began to perform with Carol Thomas Downing. A graduate of Towson University, Downing taught violin musicianship at the Peabody Preparatory. She was also the founder and director of the Peabody Children’s Chorus.

Originally from Michigan, John Yankee moved to Baltimore in 1986 and was invited to join Downing and Quist in their performances. Yankee taught at Peabody, Garrison Forest, and Walden Schools, and was an active conductor, composer, arranger, and trumpeter.

The trio gained popularity as they performed at various venues in the area. They performed at the Baltimore Folk Festival several years running, headlining the opening concert in 1990. They recorded their first album, Cross Country, in 1990. They released their second album, Never Grow Old, in 1992. The trio parted ways in the early 1990s but regrouped occasionally for reunion performances.

Extent

1.29 Cubic Feet (1 full-size letter box, 1 half-size legal box, 1 card file box, 3 reels)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Baltimore-area musical group Cross Country performed folk music in the 1980s and early 1990s. The collection contains the trio's administrative documents, photographs, and recordings.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Ned Quist in 1993.

Related Materials

A CD of Never Grow Old is available for circulation at the Arthur Friedheim Library and can be located through the library catalog.

Processing Information

Processed by Grace Minghsuan Tsai in 2016.

Subject

Title
Guide to the records of the Cross Country folk trio
Author
Kerri Sheehan
Date
2017
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Peabody Archives Repository

Contact:
Peabody Institute
1 E. Mount Vernon Place
Baltimore MD 21202 USA