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.