Written by Dr. Charles R. Ciorba
American roots music… What is it? This musical genre involves the combination of different musical forms created by Americans. The music then goes on to become a musical genre that is listened to throughout the world. When it comes to American music, I’ve always been a fan of jazz. It is a completely American art form that involves a combination of the sacred (gospel) and the profane (blues). I have always been, and I always will be a fan of jazz. But this week, we are going to go in a much different direction. I would like for all of us to explore the music of (but not limited to) the Appalachian region of the United States. When it comes to this musical style, I am no expert, although I do enjoy bluegrass music for its technical virtuosity. Bluegrass musicians can really play! I’ve also been a fan of Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson for many years. I enjoy their music, and I’ve always had respect for their individualistic nature. I am also aware that many of you teach in the state of Virginia. This music is part of the state’s history, and it can be taught as such, if you choose to do so. Your milage may vary, but when approached correctly, you may find value when introducing this music to your students.
Note. According to Anderson and Campbell (1996), the Appalachians belong to the oldest mountain range in North America.
The Beginnings
In the seventeenth century, immigrants from England, Scotland, and Wales settled in the Appalachian region. Many of them were laborers, farmers, and servants. Mostly illiterate, they passed down the music of their European roots through the aural tradition. Consider the following traditional musical examples from Ireland and Scotland. The instrumentation, melody, tonality, and lyrics create distinct musical imagery to the listener. I believe it is a rich an interesting musical style that is easily attributed to a specific part or the world.
Frog Went a Courtin’
Below is an authentic folk song, which originated in the Appalachian region of the United States. It is performed by Almeda Riddle (1898-1986). She was a folk singer from Arkansas who collected and sang folk songs for most of her life. I used to play this song for my elementary students, and I would receive a variety of reactions from them. One young girl said that she tried to follow the lyrics, but would eventually get lost and would regroup at the chorus. What a keen way for a young person to follow the music! And don’t discount the intellectual value of this musical style. If you search ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, you will discover plenty of scholarly work devoted to this folk genre. Please give it a listen, and determine if you can hear a connection between the European and American folk traditions.
Performing this Music Today
This musical history of American folk music is very complex, and it has branched off into many different directions over the years. With that said, it has also maintained a steady tradition. I am so happy to find recent examples of young people performing these traditional musical styles. This first video is performed by Daves Highway. They are a group of young singers from Brandon, Mississippi. The song is titled How Long and was written by The Eagles. It’s not a traditional folk song, but the musical connections are undeniable. These young people are great singers. Their harmonies are tight, and their presence is completely engaging. I can’t help but smile when I watch this video. Kids making music! I believe they will be lifelong music makers.
The next video features a group of young people from Alabama performing a traditional American folk song. I may be wrong, but I think we have a University of Tennessee alum in this class. If so, I dedicate this song to you. All I can say is watch the video. They are great singers and great musicians. Lots of fun music making!
I would like to feature one more video that combines great examples from both musical worlds. The Chieftans are an Irish folk group that originally formed 60 years ago. There is no doubt they helped to popularize Irish folk music around the world. In 1992, they collaborated with a number of top American country artists to record a collection of traditional American folk songs. These artists included Willie Nelson, Emmy Lou Harris, and Colin James. The album won a Grammy Award in 1993 for best contemporary folk album. I believe I saw them perform one of the songs from the album on a late night talk show, and I immediately bought this CD. I’ve listened to it often, and on occasion, I have shared the music with my young students. I think it is a great example that highlights the commonalities between American roots music and the traditional music of Ireland. The album works! Please enjoy a recording of a famous American folk song performed by The Chieftans and Ricky Skaggs.
I know I’m going out on a bit of a limb with this week’s learning unit, as I am well aware of the negative stereotypes often associated with this type of American folk music. As an educator, I believe it is important to examine all musical genres. I am also committed to promoting positive dialogue and developing good will through music. Together, we can continue to become better teachers, better thinkers, and better people.
Dr. Charles R. Ciorba 