Tacoma-born Dixy Lee Ray (1914-1994) held many prestigious posts in Washington State: first woman on the Atomic Energy Commission, director of the Pacific Science Center, and longtime University of Washington professor. A political novice, Ms. Ray served as Washington's first female governor from 1977-1981, gaining popularity as an outsider and a non-politician. Her blunt style won her as many enemies as supporters, and her unique personality generated a myriad of conflicting descriptions, from brash and abrasive to courageous and heroic.
Frank Adams wrote the music and lyrics to "The Dixy Lee Rag," or "They All Want Her Back Again," about then-governor of Washington State, Dixy Lee Ray, as a follow-up to his "Marching with Dixy." Mr. Adams owned and operated Automatic Music Roll Co. in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood from about 1965-1995. The company sold new, used, and recut music rolls for player pianos and other mechanical instruments.
Signed in pen on second page by Frank Adams. A recording of this song is held by the MOHAI collections department.
Caption information source: https://www.sos.wa.gov/legacy/biographies/dixyleeray.aspx Caption information source: "Dixy Lee Rag songwriter plans to polka little fun at Spellman," The Seattle Times, July 24, 1981, p. 17. Caption information source: http://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/KWIC/C/co.html
Physical Description: 1 score (4 p.) ; 8.5 x 11 in. + 1 part
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
