Alta Marie

Seven compositions inspired by his newly wedded wife from Ft. Worth and album lists both hers & his addresses. From the back cover: "ALTA MARIE" was inspired by Richard Dick's newly wedded wife from Fort Worth, Texas. This song, written for her, together with seven other composition from this album - were all composed and sung by the famous Tlingit Indian singer. Richard, was was born in Angoon, is an Alaskan Indian and a member of the Eagle Clan. For the past twenty three years he has been in Skagway with the White Pass - Yukon Railway as a longshoreman. The Eagles' Days of the '98 Show is a feature attraction for tourists in Skagway. Here Richard has sung his way into the hearts of many, playing before an estimated 300,000 people during the last ten years. A stylist, his fine, deep voice lends itself well as he translates his compositions in Tlingit (pronounced Cling'it) - a language with a guttural sound, not unlike German. Richard is the first of his people to compose, sing in English and Tlingit, and accompany himself on his electric guitar. Besides the '98 Shows, he has performed in night clubs, and for radio and television audiences in Juneau and Fairbanks, Alaska and Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. The catastrophic flood in Fairbanks August 14, 1967, is the calamity which brought Alta and Richard together. As a tourist, who last all her personal effects, she survived the harrowing experiences of the flooded city only to contract a respiratory illness that forced her to recuperate a week in Skagway. While attending the '98 Show, she was greatly impressed with the tall Tlingit Indian singer. Romance blossomed, and on January 19, 1968, they were married in Skagway. Richard, also a painter, specializing in Tlingit arts and crafts, has had symbolic paintings at Heritage Hall in Fort Worth and at art shows in Wrangell and Juneau. Tourists has been inquiring about recordings for several years, so here at last is a select collection of unusual songs by the talented Tlingit Indian singer - Richard Dick - a true memento of the Great Northland. The album jacket, showing the Bear symbol, was designed by Richard and is typical of his handcraft.