As many historians look back at 150th anniversary of the start of the civil war, Art looks at some of the songs written during the Civil War. Art takes performances of these wartime naval classics from a new collection from a Smithsonian Folkways collect

Art takes a look at the works of Uncle Dave Macon, one of the key figures in old timey music history. Uncle Dave Macon, also known as the Dixie Dewdrop, gained regional fame as a vaudeville performer in the early 1920s before going on to become the first

This segment of Backroads and Banjos is the first of two installments devoted to harmonica masters. Art uses several examples of fine harmonica or French harp players to show that the instruments versatility extends well beyond its more commonly heard co

This segment of Backroads and Banjos is the first of two installments devoted to harmonica masters. Art uses several examples of fine harmonica or French harp players to show that the instruments versatility extends well beyond its more commonly heard co

This episode of Backroads and Banjos covers two line and country blues in Georgia. The two-line blues are typically more connected with old-timey banjo tunes than the modern 12-bar, three line blues and it gets its vocal structures from early spirituals.

This segment of Backroads and Banjos serves as a preview for the North Georgia Folk Festival taking place in Athens, GA on Saturday, October 2nd, 2010. In addition to performances from contemporary act Curley Maple, old-time fiddler Ed Teague, and unacco

On this episode of Backroads and Banjos, we will be joining Art Rosenbaum in Athens, GA for a field recording session with traditional gospel singer Elizabeth Easley. In addition to singing familiar spirituals like A Charge To Keep I Have, Wade In The Wa

This segment of Backroads and Banjos is about Cousin Emmy, a pioneer entertainer and banjo-picking singer from the 1930s. Her onstage antics were somewhat controversial to a more folky crowd but the music backed it up and it was fantastic. Art gives a b

In this segment of Backroads and Banjos, Art begins a 2-part exploration of a style of American roots music that he realized he has neglected on the show up until this point and that's the jubilant sounds of zydeco. Art explains the unique origins of thi

In this segment of Backroads and Banjos, Art begins a 2-part exploration of a style of American roots music that he realized he has neglected on the show up until this point and that's the jubilant sounds of zydeco. Art explains the unique origins of thi