1. American Roots Music

2. What is American Roots Music?
•Includes a wide range of
genres
•Country, bluegrass, folk, jigs
and reels, blues
•Instrumental and vocal
music
•Famous examples of artists
in this style: Alison Krauss,
Pete Seeger, Bill Monroe,
The Carter Family

3. The Ballad
•Storytelling lyrics
•Often features a cappella
singing
•Sad tales, religious themes
are common—sometimes in
the same song
Pete Seeger

4. Instrumental Music of the
Appalachians
•Fiddle, banjo, and guitar
•Instruments came from a
variety of locations and
cultures.
Example: Banjo was brought
to the United States by
African slaves.
•The music itself also
reflected influences from
other countries. English, Irish,
and Scottish music are
especially prevalent.

5. The Carter Family
•Alvin “A.P.” Carter, Sara Dougherty Carter,
Maybelle Addington Carter
•Popularity rose in conjunction with the
rise of recorded music.
•Bristol Sessions in 1927
•”The Big Bang” of country music
The Carter Family

6. The Influence of the Carter Family
Joan Baez
•Bob Dylan
-Wayworn Traveller to Paths
of Victory
•Joan Baez
-Wildwood Flower
-Gospel Ship
-Engine 143

7. Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys
•Father of bluegrass
•Creator of the now standard
bluegrass instrumentation: fiddle,
banjo, mandolin, guitar, bass
•Notable for having multiple virtuoso
musicians in the band: Lester Flatt,
Earl Scruggs
•Blue Moon of Kentucky
Bill Monroe

8. Blue Moon of Kentucky
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffhqOy_A
8KM

9. The Folk Revival
Pete Seeger
•1940’s-1960’s
•Renewed interest in American folk
music
•The Weavers (included Pete Seeger)
•Famous songs performed by
The Weavers
-Goodnight Irene
-On Top of Old Smoky
-Sloop John B.

10. Goodnight Irene
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj3s8qq3k
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11. American Roots Music Today
•The music lives on
•Alison Krauss and Union Station,
Gillian Welch, Old Crow Medicine
Show
•O Brother Where Art Thou
-Grammy awards for album of the
year and soundtrack album of the
year (2002)
Alison Krauss