TEXARKANA MONTHLY
T he communal roots of talented artists find their homes in the twin cities. Growing up here, I enjoyed the music of my parents, Professor Samuel and Rosie Williamson-Collins, both singers of gospel music and pianists. After performing with the Dunbar High School Marching Band in 1968, I continued my music studies with the late Bob Ingram, former Texarkana Independent School District Supervisor of the Instrumental Music Program. I also enjoyed singing in the choir. So, needless to say, my love of music has a firm foundation, laid by these great cities full of talented musicians. I learned much about music at home. But while living in Paris, France, I was introduced to Texarkana’s legendary composer Scott Joplin, the “King of Ragtime.” My friends in Paris inspired me and made me grateful for my newly discovered knowledge of Scott Joplin and his music. They were able to recount the rag timer’s complete music history. When I returned to Texarkana, I fulfilled my aspirations of helping promote Scott Joplin to this area. On previous visits home since the early 80s, it seemed Texarkana residents barely knew his name! He was the nation’s first renowned composer to sell a million copies (accumulatively) of a song. His “Maple Leaf Rag” original is now in the Library of Congress. After it was published in 1899, it soon adorned pianos in the salons of most homes. Joplin was a “rock” star! Scott Joplin was raised here in Texarkana. The verdict is still unclear as to his birthplace—arguably Linden, Texas, or Texarkana around November 1868. I wrote and released, with other locals, the 2017 documentary, “Scott Joplin–Hometown Hero–Texarkana USA”, which answered many questions through interviews with Joplin family members and local historians. Davis County (now Cass County), Texas U.S. Census of 1870 lists Florence and Giles Givens Joplin and sons Monroe and Scott
BY CAROL COLLINS-MILES
20
COMMUNITY & CULTURE
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs