This past spring, Durham, N.C., hosted a sprawling roots music festival called Biscuits & Banjos. For the thousands of attendees, it had some similarities to a lot of folk music events around the country. But one major thing set it apart: Nearly every featured performer was Black.
The event is just one part of a Black folk music revival sweeping the country that’s rescuing lost traditions and challenging stereotypes that for generations have influenced things like who gets to play the banjo in America. The festival included the reunion of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and its lineup gathered Black folk musicians who inspired the Chocolate Drops, and many more who were inspired by them.
This episode is part of a collaboration between WUNC North Carolina Public Radio and WPLN Nashville Public Radio.
You can catch an exploration of Rissi Palmer’s career Saturday at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Details are online here.
Featuring:
- Jewly Hight, senior music writer at Nashville Public Radio – WPLN
- Rhiannon Giddens, musician and member of Carolina Chocolate Drops
- Dom Flemons, musician and member of Carolina Chocolate Drops
- Brandi Waller-Pace, musician and scholar
- Kaia Kater, musician and member of New Dangerfield
Jewly Hight WPLN NewsAt the Biscuits & Banjos Festival, artists Rissi Palmer and Miko Marks connect with Nashville Public Radio senior music writer Jewly Hight. Marks traveled from the Bay Area so as not to miss out on the biggest Black roots music festival to date.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM