Bascom Lamar Lunsford, born in 1882 in Madison County, was a fruit tree salesman, teacher, and lawyer, who is celebrated for his lifelong devotion to Appalachian music and dance. Lunsford learned to play the banjo and fiddle, and collected songs and tunes. He began his repertoire during the folk revival of the 1920s. One voice … Continue reading Bascom Lamar Lunsford : Minstrel of the Appalachians
Category: Overview
Articles about composers, periods and styles, methods of composing.
Erynn Marshall : Love, intention, generosity, humor and soul
“You can hear love, intention, generosity, humor and soul in the music of Erynn Marshall and Carl Jones. They welcome us in and awaken a deep sense and feeling for traditional music that is carved right into our bones.” – Dirk Powell (2015) Erynn Marshall is an old-time fiddler who resides in Galax, Virginia. She … Continue reading Erynn Marshall : Love, intention, generosity, humor and soul
Clarence “Tom” Ashley : Country Music Pioneer
Clarence "Tom" Ashley (September 29, 1895 – June 2, 1967) was an American musician and singer, who played the claw-hammer banjo and the guitar. He began performing at medicine shows in the Southern Appalachian region as early as 1911, and gained initial fame during the late 1920s as both a solo recording artist and as … Continue reading Clarence “Tom” Ashley : Country Music Pioneer
William Henry “Papa Charlie” Jackson
No wonder they all fall for him! He's just a red hot papa in a class by himself and it takes a cop or two to hold the mamas back when he struts down the avenue. Papa Charlie sure knows how to sing this kind of Blues. Papa Charlie Jackson (November 10, 1887 – May … Continue reading William Henry “Papa Charlie” Jackson
Hazel Dickens : It’s Hard to Tell the Singer from the Song
Hazel Jane Dickens (June 1, 1925 – April 22, 2011) was an American bluegrass singer, songwriter, double bassist and guitarist. Her music was characterized not only by her high, lonesome singing style, but also by her provocative pro-union, feminist songs. In the early 1950s she moved to Baltimore. She met Mike Seeger, younger half-brother of Pete Seeger and founding member of the New Lost … Continue reading Hazel Dickens : It’s Hard to Tell the Singer from the Song
Frank Proffitt : Will the real Tom Dooley stand up?
Frank Noah Proffitt (June 1, 1913 – November 24, 1965) was an Appalachian old time banjoist who helped popularize the song "Tom Dooley" and was a key figure in inspiring musicians of the 1960s and 1970s to play the banjo. He was born in Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee and was raised in the Reese area of Watauga County, North Carolina where he worked in a variety … Continue reading Frank Proffitt : Will the real Tom Dooley stand up?
The high lonesome sound of Roscoe Holcomb
Roscoe Holcomb, was an American singer, banjo player, and guitarist from Daisy, Kentucky. A prominent figure in Appalachian folk music, Holcomb was the inspiration for the term "high, lonesome sound," coined by folklorist and friend John Cohen. The "high lonesome sound" term is now used to describe bluegrass singing, although Holcomb was not, strictly speaking, a bluegrass performer. Bob Dylan once commented that Holcomb "... has … Continue reading The high lonesome sound of Roscoe Holcomb
The Bristol Sessions : 90 Years after the Big Bang of Country Music
According to Country Music Hall Of Fame Inductee, Johnny Cash, the collective 1927 Bristol Sessions was, without a doubt, “the single most important event in the history of Country Music”. "The Victor Co. will have a recording machine in Bristol for 10 days beginning Monday to record records — inquire at our store." That was … Continue reading The Bristol Sessions : 90 Years after the Big Bang of Country Music
Charlie Parr : Extraordinary Performer
Charlie Parr is an American country blues musician from Minnesota. He was born in Austin, Minnesota and spent part of his childhood in Hollandale. He started his music career in Duluth, Minnesota. His influences include Charlie Patton, Bukka White, Reverend Gary Davis, Dave Van Ronk, and Mississippi John Hurt. He plays a custom made Mule … Continue reading Charlie Parr : Extraordinary Performer
Vernacular Music : 12th Century Troubadours to Singer-Songwriters
The tradition of a solo singer providing music for a community or gathering is very old. As far back as the 12th century with the troubadours and trouvères of France as well as the minnesinger from Germany, all the way up to today's buskers the singer of vernacular music has been a recognizable feature of … Continue reading Vernacular Music : 12th Century Troubadours to Singer-Songwriters
Musica Kaleidoskopea 