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Appalachian Music at WWCNative Ground Music
Swannanoa Gathering
Appalachian Music History
Instructor: Phil Jamison
Office: Spidel 204, Ext 3722
Email: pjamison@warren-wilson.edu
Office Hours: M, W, F1 11:00 am � noon, F2 9:00 am - noon (other times by appointment)
The course:
Western North Carolina is an area rich in traditional music and dance. In this course, we
will trace the historical development of traditional Appalachian music from its Scotch-Irish and African-American folk roots, through old-time and hillbilly music, up to the emergence of early country music and Bluegrass. The �folk revival� and contemporary Appalachian styles will also be examined as well as Appalachian dance traditions. Through readings, recordings, documentary films, visits with local musicians and dancers, and field trips to regional music venues, students will explore the vocal, instrumental, and dance traditions of the region. Instruction in traditional clogging and flatfooting will be included as a means for student participation in the tradition. Although musicians are welcome, musicianship is not required to take the class.
Topics will include:
- The Appalachian region, stereotypes, and overview of Appalachian musical styles.
- Vocal Traditions � Ballads & ballad collectors: Child, Campbell & Sharp, British broadside ballads, native American ballads, Lyric folk songs, Sacred singing: Old Regular Baptist lining out, shaped note singing, gospel songs, Other song sources: work songs, blues, Tin Pan Alley and parlor songs, films: The End of an Old Song, The High Lonesome Sound, Songcatcher.
- Old-Time Music - fiddle, banjo, dulcimer, guitar, autoharp, mandolin, harmonica, early commercialization of Appalachian music: minstrel shows, vaudeville & medicine shows, fiddle contests, radio �barn dances,� Grand Ole Opry, early commercial 78 rpm recordings (1922-1930): Eck Robertson, Fiddlin� John Carson, Ralph Peer, Ernest Stoneman, Vernon Dalhart, the Hill Billies, Charlie Poole, Uncle Dave Macon, Gid Tanner and the Skillet Lickers, and others, Contemporary Old-Time Music: New Lost City Ramblers, Highwoods Stringband, and others, film: Sprout Wings and Fly.
- Country Singers & Bluegrass � The Bristol Sessions, the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, the Brother Duets: Delmore Brothers, the Blue Sky Boys, Monroe Brothers, Early Bluegrass: Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, the Stanley Brothers, Contemporary Bluegrass - Innovation vs. Tradition: Doc Watson, Osborne Brothers, Sam Bush & New Grass Revival, Allison Krauss, and others, films: CarterFamily, High Lonesome: The Story of Bluegrass.
Reading:
Readings will be assigned from the two texts and handouts, as well as from books and
journal articles on reserve at the Ellison Library.
Listening: This is a vital activity in the course. In class we will listen to selections from an audio
syllabus which will also be placed on overnight reserve at the Ellison Library.
Field experiences: Field experiences are a vital part of the course, and they have been built into the
class schedule in place of some class meetings. Students are expected to go on at least six of the seven scheduled field trips. If you cannot go on any of these, I can recommend alternatives that can be used as make-up. All field experiences will be recorded in journals.