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Across The Blue Ridge - Episode 7 (Cultural and Musical Crossroads)

Photographer unknown
Arnold Schultz (left) is but one of many nearly forgotten African-American musicians who heavily influenced the history of southern traditional and popular music. Bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe credits Schultz with having a major effect on Monroe’s musical development and outlook.

The story of American traditional music is one of intertwined cultures.  This week host Paul Brown guides us along a fascinating trail of old time mountain music, country blues, gospel and bluegrass shared by African-American and European-American musicians.  We hear the music of nearly forgotten artists including the Foddrells of Stuart, Virginia, and harmonica wizard Deford Bailey, an early African-American star of the Grand Old Opry. Also on the show are Jimmie Rodgers, the first country music superstar whose music is thoroughly infused with blues influences; and Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass music who openly credited African-American musician Arnold Schultz as a big influence on him. There's Joe Thompson, a North Carolina African-American who played the European fiddle in a bluesy old time style and tells the story of learning an African-American spiritual from a white neighbor.  And the serene guitar playing of Etta Baker brings a peaceful cast to a song with a difficult heritage. 

Episode 7 Playlist

  1. Hop, Skip & Jump – Turner & Lynn Foddrell
    Album – The Foothill Blues
     
  2. I Got A Woman – Turner & Marvin Foddrell
    Album – Classic Appalachian Blues from Smithsonian Folkways
     
  3. Kelly's Love (Careless Love) – Turner & Lynn Foddrell
    Album – The Foothill Blues
     
  4. Railroad Blues – Sam McGee
    Album – Old Time Mountain Blues
     
  5. Davidson County Blues – Deford Bailey
    Album – Harmonica Blues (Yazoo)
     
  6. Shirt Tail Boogie – Paul Brown
    Across the Blue Ridge recording
     
  7. BREAK 1  Down Yonder – Haywood Blevins
    Album – FRC Haywood Blevins
     
  8. Never No Mo' Blues – Jimmie Rodgers
    Album – Essential Jimmie Rodgers
     
  9. Bear Creek Blues – Carter Family
    Album – The Carter Family Clinch Mountain Treasures
     
  10. Red River Blues – Lesley Riddle
    Album – Classic Appalachian Blues
     
  11. Sittin' Alone in the Moonlight – Bill Monroe And His Bluegrass Boys
    Album – In the Pines
     
  12. Hold Whatcha Got – Jimmie Martin
    Album – You Don't Know My Mind
     
  13. Boll Weevil – Tommy Jarrell
    Album – Down to the Cider Mill
     
  14. Banjo Riff – Paul Brown
    Across the Blue Ridge recording
     
  15. BREAK 2 Twin Sisters – Sidna Myers
    Album – Clawhammer Banjo Vol. 1
     
  16. I Shall Not Be Moved – Joe Thompson
    Album – Family Tradition
     
  17. Railroad Bill – John Jackson
    Album – Classic Appalachian Blues from Smithsonian Folkways
     
  18. Bully of the Town – Etta Baker
    Album – One Dime Blues
     
  19. Heart in Sorrow – Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry
    Album – Classic Harmonica Blues from Smithsonian Folkways
     
  20. Down South Blues – Dock Boggs
    Album – Old Time Mountain Blues
Former 88.5 WFDD News Director Paul Brown founded Across the Blue Ridge at WFDD in the late 1980s. It was an instant hit, and was broadcast on WFDD for more than a decade until Paul left to become an executive editor, producer, reporter, and world newscaster at NPR in Washington, DC. Now Paul is back in his beloved Blue Ridge region, his journalism and storytelling skills honed better than ever. He's ready to present more music, share discussion with more interesting characters, and be your friend and guide in discovery. Paul is actively involved in today's acoustic music scene, crisscrossing the region and the country as a teacher, performer, and interviewer.

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