Old Time Resource of the Week: Featured artist: Rhiannon Giddens

 

We continue honoring African-American musicians in old time music.  In one way, Rhiannon Giddens [Wikipedia] is a come-lately, but I believe she is the key to the complete sea change in understanding of the old time music heritage.  That shift was brought home to me when a family member who thought old time music meant harps and togas handed me a Carolina Chocolate Drops CD because she was excited for me to hear it.  The other two founding members deserve huge credit, as well:  Dom Flemons and Justin Robinson.

Next time we’ll take a look at the many, less-celebrated folks that preceded and inspired the current wave of artists.