Folk music may be likened to a twig which has fallen into a salt mine, to borrow an expression from Taine; every year adds fresh jewels to the crystals that form on it until at last the only resemblance to the original is in the general contour. We know that the nucleus of melody lies in one note, just as the origin of language is to be sought for in the word.
Edward MacDowell, 1912
Critical and Historical Essays: Lectures Delivered at Columbia University from Project Gutenberg.
Bluegrass Discography
A discography of commercial sound recordings of bluegrass music, that portion of the country/folk music universe which was based largely on the string band music of Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers, and others, originating in the mid-1940s. Included are singles, EPs, LPs, CDs, as well as information on the labels releasing these recordings.
Doc Watson
"Discovered" in the heat of the sixties folk revival, Doc Watson is a legendary performer who blends his traditional Appalachian folk music roots with blues, country, gospel, and bluegrass to create his unique style and expansive repertoire. Blind from infancy, Doc has spent his lifetime making music and is considered by fans everywhere one of the world's most accomplished flat-pickers. This Doc Watson Exhibit is a joint effort by the Southern Folklife Collection and UNC's Office for Information Technology.
Folk Music Index
An index to more 4300 recordings, 410 books, and 6 magazines. Both titles and performers are indexed and actives links are provided for quick access to other performers and titles. Links are also provided to active publishers. The latest edition now includes all the titles in the two O'Neill collections of Irish music, Cole's 1000 Fiddle tunes, and Randolph's 4 Vol Folk Songs of the Ozarks. Currently the index points to some 60,000 titles, 25,000 performers, and nearly 150,000 listings of which almost 20% are cross references. Child, Laws and Sharp numbers are also given, when available.
Roger McGuinn's Folkden
This site uses the World Wide Web to continue the tradition of the folk process, that is the telling of stories, and singing of songs, passed on from one generation to another by word of mouth. Streaming Audio, lyrics, pictures, and links - all courtesy of Byrd's founding member Roger McGuinn.
Music Maker Relief Foundation
Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern musical traditions gain recognition and meet their day to day needs. Today, many such musicians are living in extreme poverty and need food, shelter, medical care, and other assistance. Music Maker's aid and service programs improve the quality of recipients lives. Their work affirms to these artists that we value the gifts of music and inspiration they have delivered to the world. Their mission is to give back to the roots of American music.
Hollerin' Contest
The semi-official web site for the National Hollerin' Contest, an annual competition held in Spivey's Corner, NC, that celebrates North Carolina Folklife.
formerly sunsite.unc.edu