G.B. Grayson and Henry Whitter [This is the second post this week on “Tom Dooley.” The first post gives the basics of the underlying story.] Hardly a fiddler or a banjo picker in our county… “I’ll tell you all Verlee and I … Continue reading →
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the musical collaboration between singer Terry Leonino and guitarist Greg Artzner, together known as the folk duo Magpie. Over the years, this married couple has performed at the Kennedy Center, been interviewed on … Continue reading →
Confederate soldier “Not having the fear of God before his eyes…” The Jurors for the State upon their oath presented that Thomas Dula, late of the County of Wilkes, not having the fear of God before his eyes, … Continue reading →
WFDU-FM’s TRADITIONS Playlist for June 2, 2013 HOST: Ron Olesko Today’s show marked the 30th anniversary of the untimely passing of Stan Rogers. The final hour of the show featured Stan’s music and the powerful tribute that his brother Garnet … Continue reading →
Lord Goddard, Lord Chief Justice of England 1946 – 1958 In the first part of this week’s blog we followed two young teenage boys, Christopher Craig, aged 16, and Derek Bentley, aged 19, as they were surrounded by the police … Continue reading →
Czech banjo player Jiri Markalous wanted a better way to practice banjo. He was suffering from the monotony of the metronome; sitting in front of a metronome for hours was simply a pain. It’s a common complaint among average musicians. … Continue reading →
Throughout the month of June, PBS stations around the country will be airing Woody Guthrie at 100! Live at the Kennedy Center. The concert was the culmination of the Woody Guthrie Foundation’s year-long centennial celebration that traveled from “California to … Continue reading →
Mr Elvis Costello This week’s post, indeed the 200th of this blog, comes mainly from Mr Elvis Costello and a song from his album Spike in 1989. The song, which will be revealed in a second, seeks to address a wrong, … Continue reading →
We’re sad to pass along the news that Old-time revival singer, fiddler, banjo and autoharp player Gail Heil passed away on the morning of Thursday, May 30th, succumbing to colon cancer. Her husband, and longtime musical partner Bob Bovee, as … Continue reading →
Unidentified girl in mourning dress holding framed photograph of her father as a cavalryman with sword and Hardee hat – tintype, ca. 1870, Library of Congress IntroductionEvery spring I teach a unit on the American Civil War, after which my colleagues and … Continue reading →
