"There are reports that prior to the Civil War, the annual income from
Tom's concerts approached $100,000, equivalent today to a million and a
half dollars a year. In fact almost none of the money ever went to him.
In our society you're supposed to reap the rewards of your own talent, and
he was never given that chance."

-- Pianist John Davis on the music of "Blind Tom"
Wiggins, a Georgia slave and musical prodigy


Tonight's UpClose has a long history. In some ways, it goes back to the
mid-19th century. More recently, it was a music review in The New York
Times in 2000 that triggered the chain of events leading to tonight's
remarkable story.

Producer Jill Rosenbaum knew John Davis from her college days. Both were
history majors. Both played the piano. Davis went on to play at Julliard
and Jill turned to broadcast journalism. Twenty years later, she saw a
review of a CD, "John Davis Plays Blind Tom." They reconnected and Jill
profiled John and his obsession with the music of the former slave for the
Public Television program, "Life 360."

Along with his classical training, John Davis was also fascinated by the
music of the black American South. So when he finished Julliard, he
decided to prepare a concert combining his two loves: classical and
African-American music. In researching that program, he unearthed many of
the 100 compositions said to be composed by "Blind Tom" Wiggins. Wiggins
started playing the piano at the age of four on the Georgia plantation of
Gen. James Bethune, where his mother was a house slave. Blind Tom toured
American and European concert halls, could recite any poem or play any
piece of music after hearing it only once. By any measure, he was gifted
beyond belief.

Davis' CD begat a one-man stage show in Columbus, Georgia, where some of
Blind Tom's descendants live, which begat a book project. At the concert, a couple approached Davis. It was the great-grandson of Gen. Bethune, Blind Tom's owner, and his wife. The next night, they attended a
reception with Blind Tom's relatives -- the first meeting of the two
families since just after the Civil War. For the history major Davis, the
long-time-coming reconciliation of the families brought a smile to his
face.

Tonight, John Davis performs Blind Tom's music at a studio piano with our
resident music aficionado, Dave Marash -- who's none too upset with this
assignment. It's an UpClose you won’t want to miss.


Richard Harris
Senior Producer
Nightline UpClose

NPS, did you see Paul Mooney on last night's show?

Oh yeah, i saw Paul Mooney on Nightline Upclose last night..that was interesting, I love Paul mooney comedy style..he isn't afraid to say anything..I think Paul Mooney comedy is more than comedy, it's the TRUTH.

Supernova said:

Nah I missed it but Paul is funny as hell... been around since way back when and has written for everybody from Pryor on forward. His CD "Race" was hilarious and I hope he heads out east or comes out with something soon.

NuPwrSoul said:

I'm a neophyte when it comes to Mooney, I had no idea he wrote for Pryor. I dig most of what he says.

Supernova said:

Paul Mooney is Bad.Him&Richard wrote a Episode of "Sanford&Son" Together back in the 70's.they Colloborated on Richard's Live Material&"Which Way is Up"? Among other things.I Remember Hearing Mooney Mention the time Him&Richard went&checked out Rudy Ray Moore.they also Worked together on Richard's TV among other projects.Damn I Missed that Show as well?? Damn!!!was He Sporting His Red Doo Rag??or Rag? He was on B.E.T's Show when John Sally was the Host among other shows.the OJ Bit about the LAPD were Upset that when they got to OJ's Crib they were Upset they didn't find Watermelon Seeds was too Funny&so on Point.