Category Archives: McConnell Highlights

Bascom Lamar Lunsford- the man who wrote Good Old Mountain Dew

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Bud Bennett

Last semester I found myself talking to an Appalachian Studies class about Appalachian Music and used the song Good Old Mountain Dew as an example of a traditional song.  After the class, as I walked back to my office I … Continue reading →

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Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Farewell My Home

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Bud Bennett

Some years ago electronic and rock musician Brian Eno recorded a series of albums he referred to as ambient music.  In the liner notes he mentioned that he tried to make music as enjoyable as it was ignorable.  I liked … Continue reading →

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Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- World Turning

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Bud Bennett

When I was much younger than I am now, I came across a print of a painting that really spoke to me.  It was a painting by Henry Tanner of an old African-American man in a rustic cabin.  In his … Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday Bill Monroe!

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Bud Bennett

Today would mark Bill Monroe’s 100th birthday.   He did a lot for music in his lifetime (which stretched from September 13, 1911 to September 9, 1996) by inventing what he called Bluegrass Music and by teaching it to so many … Continue reading →

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Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- Recapturing the Banjo

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Bud Bennett

I have always been interested in the history of the banjo and the way is has evolved over the past two hundred or so years.  When Bela Fleck and Jayme Stone and others took their trips to Africa to “find” … Continue reading →

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Highlights of McConnell Library’s Appalachian Music Collection- Replay

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Bud Bennett

(Used with permission from Darcy Whiteside, photographer) Not all of the music I am highlighting is strictly or traditionally Appalachian music.  Appalachia is a big place and its inhabitants are varied and have many interests and influences.  The album I … Continue reading →

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Highlights of McConnell Library’s Appalachian Music Collection- The Seldom Scene

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Bud Bennett

The Seldom Scene was a progressive bluegrass band that started in 1971.  I say “was” because even though the band technically still exists, it only has one original member and I think is no longer leading the way for other … Continue reading →

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Highlights of McConnell Library’s Appalachian Music Collection- Throw Down Your Heart

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Bud Bennett

This pick is different from the others I have made so far, this one isn’t Appalachian music at all- in fact it’s not even all music, it’s a DVD.  I picked this one because it concerns one of America’s most … Continue reading →

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Highlights of McConnell Library’s Appalachian Music Collection- Grass Roots: The Best of New Grass Revival

Posted on October 27, 2010 by Bud Bennett

I usually really dislike greatest hits albums, I don’t know why, maybe I don’t like somebody deciding for me what a band’s best work is, maybe my taste runs counter to the general public, maybe I’m just disagreeable, who knows…  … Continue reading →

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Highlights of McConnell Library’s Appalachian Music Collection- Song of the Traveling Daughter

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Bud Bennett

(Used with permission from Bret Young, photographer) Several years ago I participated in an interesting musical cultural exchange.  My wife and I went to a 4th of July picnic that marked the end of a martial arts conference and one … Continue reading →

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