The Banjo is Focus of PBS Documentary Premiering Nov. 4, 2011
Give Me The Banjo, a documentary chronicling 300 years of American history and popular culture through the country’s quintessential musical instrument – from its earliest use by enslaved Africans in colonial times to the 21st century – premieres Friday, Nov. 4, at 9 p.m. ET on PBS television stations(check your local listings).
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Board of Advisors Named for Newport Folk Festival
The Newport Folk Festival, which, earlier this year, returned to its original roots as a nonprofit event, has taken another step that organizers say will help ensure that it “remains a significant, viable, and influential institution for years to come.” To further advance the dialogue with both established and emerging artists, the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. announced the creation of its Newport Folk Festival Board of Advisors. Named to the panel were Gillian Welch, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Colin Meloy of The Decemberists, and Ben Knox Miller of The Low Anthem.
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Bob Blackman’s “The Folk Tradition” Ends Its Run on WKAR-FM
Bob Blackman, who has been a “folk tradition” on WKAR-FM 90.5 in East Lansing, Michigan for some 30 years, signs off later this month.
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Carolina Chocolate Drops, Ray LaMontagne, Pete Seeger, Bela Fleck Are Among the Winners in the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards took place on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, in Los Angeles, California. Carolina Chocolate Drops, Ray LaMontagne, Pete Seeger and Bela Fleck were among the winners in more than 100 categories, most of whom were announced during ceremonies prior to the live broadcast from the Staples Center.
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Newport Folk Festival Returns to Its Nonprofit Roots
The Newport Folk Festival, which has been held in or near the coastal Rhode Island resort city since 1959, is returning to its original roots as a nonprofit event, along with its older sibling, the Newport Jazz Festival. Both will now be produced under the umbrella of he newly formed Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. George Wein, 85, a pioneer among producers of outdoor festivals, will remain at its helm and, with his staff, continue to steer the folk festival that is set for July 29-31 at Fort Adams State Park.
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Pete Seeger-Signed Banjo to be Auctioned Online in June
A one-of-a-kind Deering banjo that has been signed and played by Pete Seeger will be auctioned off this month to benefit the Emergency Relief Fund of American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 1000, the traveling musicians union.
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Mike Seeger, 1933-2009
Mike Seeger, who, as a solo performer, collector of songs, and member of the New Lost City Ramblers, helped to revive and widen interest in southern traditional music, died at his Lexington, Virginia home on August 7, just a week shy of his 76th birthday.
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NEA Honors Mike Seeger with Bess Lomax Hawes Award
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) last week named Mike Seeger as the recipient of its 2009 Bess Lomax Hawes Award. The award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the preservation and awareness of our cultural heritage.
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