View source for Annotation:Annie Hughes' Jig

'''ANNIE HUGHES' JIG'''. American, "Sand" Jig (2/4 time). B Flat Major. AABB. The composition is credited to one Eddie Fox in '''Ryan's Mammoth Collection''' (1883), and is of the type often called a 'sand jig', a kind of 2/4 syncopated vehicle for a stage dance that derived its name from the practice of strewing sand on the floor to reduce friction and facilitate brushing movements with the shoes. Edward Le Roy Rice, in his book '''Monarchs of Minstrelsy''' (New York, 1911), says this about Fox: 

EDDIE FOX is known wherever minstrelsy is spoken. Mr. Fox's career began at the tender 
age of five years, and continued up until about 1897, when he "laid down the fiddle and the 
bow"-not because "there was o more work for poor Uncle Ned"---no, indeedy-for Mr. 
Fox refuses to grow old, and he could have work aplenty if he so desired. Newcomb and 
Arlington's Minstrels engaged him about 1867; subsequently he was with Newcomb's 
Minstrels. When Simmons and Slocum opened their minstrel house in Philadelphia in 
1870, Eddie Fox was leader, and remained there several seasons. Likewise was he 
identified with Barlow, Wilson, Primrose and West's Minstrels at their inception in 
1877, and continued with them during their existence as an organization, terminating 
in June, 1882. Other prominent minstrel engagements were Barlow, Wilson Company, 
George Wilson's, Cleveland's, and his last-Al. G. Field's. Mr. Fox composed some 
of the most popular music in minstrelsy, notably the "Big Sunflower," immortalized 
by Billy Emmerson; "Kaiser, Don't You Want to But a Dog?" for Gus Williams; 
"Noreen Moreen," "Goodbye, Liza Jane," "Carry the News to Mary" and scores of 
others. As a jig and reel player he is without a peer. Mr. Fox likewise enjoys the dis-
tinction of having been always the highest salaried "leader" in minstrelsy. Eddie Fox was 
born in Glens Falls, N.Y., October 28, 1848; a letter addressed care of any minstrel show 
playing in Philadelphia will always reach him.  (pgs. 195 & 198). 

Printed sources: Cole ('''1000 Fiddle Tunes'''), 1940; pg. 83. '''Ryan's Mammoth Collection''', 1883; pg. 116.