Daniel Decatur "Dan" Emmett (1815-1904), was born at Mount Vernon, Ohio.

After serving in the United States Army, Emmett joined a circus company in 1835. In 1842, in association with several other men, he organized the "Virginia Minstrels", which made their first appearance at the old Chatham Square Theatre in New York City on February 17, 1843. They are said to be the first group of white men to paint their hands and faces black prior to performing their acts on stage. Their form of entertainment was called a negro minstrel show.

Notable songs composed by Dan Emmett include:

• "Old Dan Tucker".
• "Boatman's Dance".
• "The Road to Richmond".
• "Walk Along, John".
• "Early in the Mornin'".

Dan Emmett is said to have composed the famous song "Dixie" in 1859, though another ballad writer named William Shakespeare Hays (1837-1907) (pen name, "Will S. Hays"), claimed to be the true author of "Dixie".

Origins of minstrelsy

The term "minstrel" was derived from Old French menestrel, menesterel, menestral, French ménestral, Italian ministrello, menestrello, from Middle Latin ministralis, ministrel, "retainer," Latin minister, "attendant," "retainer," "minister," from minor, "less."

In Europe, before the Norman Conquest, the professional poet was known in England as a scôp (shaper or maker), who composed his own poems, and sang them to the accompaniment of a rude harp. Another type of performers, in a rank much beneath the scôp, were the gleemen, who had no settled abode, but roamed about from place to place, earning what they could from their performances. Late in the 13th century, the term minstrel began to be used to designate a performer who amused his lord with music and song.

In a complex way involving invasions, wars, conquests, etc., two categories of composers originated. Poets like Chaucer and John Gower appeared in one category wherein music was not a part. Minstrels, on the other hand, swarmed at feasts and festivals in great numbers with harps, fiddles, bagpipes, flutes, flageolots, citterns, and kettledrums.

As early as 1321, the minstrels of Paris were formed into a guild. A guild of royal minstrels was organized in England in 1469. Minstrels were required to either join the guild or to abstain from practicing their craft. Some minstrels were retained by lords as jesters who, in some cases, also practiced the art of juggling. Some were women, or women who followed minstrels in their travels. Trained animals, such as bears, were employed by minstrels in Europe: everywhere they were welcomed during the Middle Ages. Minstrelsy died out slowly in Europe by about 1700 (though isolated remnants of it in the person of single individuals were said to exist well into the 19th century).

In North America, the southern negro appeared on stage towards the beginning of the nineteenth century. Other actors sang and danced their way into public favor before the advent of Thomas D. Rice, the reputed founder of negro minstrelsy. His song, "Jim Crow," was the first big hit song in United States history. Rice went to England in 1836 and gained universal recognition for negro minstrelsy, thereby establishing himself as the founder.

See also

Minstrel show