Bluegrass

Generally considered a variant of country music, bluegrass is a hybrid of old-time country and string-band music; British folk songs; improvisation and syncopation, reflecting the influence of blues and jazz; and a wide variety of popular commercial music. Although frequently considered “mountain music,” bluegrass was created by Bill Monroe in Rosine, Kentucky – far from the hills of Appalachia. Key instruments in the genre include the mandolin and the 5-string banjo.

Content is provided by McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina.

For further information about any of the artists featured on Digital Traditions, send your questions and comments to hallagan@mailbox.sc.edu.

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Climate | Digital Traditions 1
Climate | Digital Traditions
Episode 1

Video

Grades: Higher Education

Classic joke/skit by Greasy Medlin and Snuffy that was a standard during their medicine show days. From the "Pickin' Time" program on WIS-TV in Columbia, 1974.
Old Time Medley | Digital Traditions 2
Old Time Medley | Digital Traditions
Episode 2

Video

Grades: Higher Education

Pappy Sherrill and The Hired Hands (Randy Lucas - banjo, Harold Lucas - guitar, Frank Hartley - upright bass) performing in 1992 at the "Heritage of Song" concert hosted by McKissick Museum at the...
Old Rugged Cross | Digital Traditions 3
Old Rugged Cross | Digital Traditions
Episode 3

Video

Grades: Higher Education

Vintage footage from "The Hired Hands Sunday Show," a 30-minute program aired on WIS-TV in Columbia, SC. Features Pappy Sherrill, Grady Lindler, and Ira Dimmery. 1961.
Two Peas in a Pod | Digital Traditions 3
Two Peas in a Pod | Digital Traditions
Episode 3

Video

Grades: Higher Education

Additional footage from the SCETV program Carolina Journal in 1984. Pappy Sherrill and Snuffy talk about music, features Hired Hands performance at SC State Fair and Greasy Medlin and Snuffy...
Beaumont Rag | Digital Traditions 4
Beaumont Rag | Digital Traditions
Episode 4

Video

Grades: Higher Education

Snuffy, Pappy and the Hired Hands perform the "Beaumont Rag" on the "Pickin' Time" program, WIS-TV Columbia, 1974. Snuffy plays his washboard.
Johnson's Old Grey Mule | Digital Traditions
Johnson's Old Grey Mule | Digital Traditions

Video

Grades: Higher Education

Claude and Bryant Lucas performing with the Lucas-Harmon Band in 1992 at the "Heritage of Song" concert hosted by McKissick Museum at the Univeristy of South Couth Carolina. Co-produced by South...
Al Wall Photos | Digital Traditions
Al Wall Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

Grades: Higher Education

Wall began playing hillbilly and “old-time” music before it was dubbed bluegrass. He was one of eleven children in a family he described as not very musically oriented. As a teen, he cut his teeth...
Betty McDaniel Photos | Digital Traditions
Betty McDaniel Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

Grades: Higher Education

Betty McDaniel is a life-long educator. She has degrees from the University of North Carolina, Clemson, and the University of South Carolina. She started her teaching career in 1974 and retired in...
Bill Wells Photos | Digital Traditions
Bill Wells Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

Grades: Higher Education

In December of 1985, Bill Wells – a retired Navy man and musician raised in the coal-mining region of southwestern Virginia – opened Bill’s Pickin’ Parlor and Music Shop in West Columbia. He...
Digital Traditions - Artists
Digital Traditions - Artists

Document

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Ahrens, Pat All Male Chorus of Blacksburg Arnold, Mac Ayers, Sara Basket, Nancy Baylor, Amos Bellow, Roger Bennett, Mary Jane Benson, JD Blackwell, Richard Boggs, Horatio Manning Bollack, James Booker...