Tag Archives: McConnell Library

Sammy Shelor Talks about Life, Music, and Banjos.

On my frequent trips to Meadows of Dan a few years ago, I would often see Sammy Shelor around.  It is a very small town after all, and Sammy and his family have lived there for a very long time. … Continue reading

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Highlights of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection- World Turning

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!

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 McConnell Library’s Appalachian Music Collection- Replay

(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

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- Grass Roots: The Best of New Grass Revival

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

(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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Highlights of McConnell Library’s Appalachian Music Collection- Foggy Mountain Banjo

One of the things I want to do with this blog is to “advertise” parts of the McConnell Library Appalachian Music Collection. I was putting off the task of choosing which CD to feature first because I thought it would be a difficult choice. Once I settled into the idea that something had to be first, I asked myself what the *most important* album was to me when I first started listening to Bluegrass music. It didn’t take long for my mind to settle on……….. Continue reading

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