A type of country music ensemble that includes fiddle, banjo, acoustic guitar, mandolin, and upright bass. Emerged in the early 1900s and was an important precursor to bluegrass. During the late 1800s, the Carolina Piedmont provided fertile ground for the cultivation of a string band tradition that combined Scots-Irish fiddle and balladry with African instruments like banjo and European guitar and mandolin. String band music was social music, played at dances, contests, and other community occasions. String band musicians were storytellers, performing songs of tragedy and revenge, love and friendship. Much of this music, whether blues or string band, has deep roots in both sacred and secular themes, creating dynamic music with emotional and personal meaning.
Today it is played primarily in circles where old-time country music remains popular, such as family picnics, square dances, fiddle conventions, and jam sessions. Rooted in British ballads and folk songs originally played on the fiddle in Britain. Country music has been aggressively marketed since the 1920s, developing numerous traditions within genre – honky tonk, western swing, and early rock and roll.
Content is provided by McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina.
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Born and raised in a mill village in Converse, South Carolina, Gene Wyatt, or “Colonel Gene” as he was known on the music scene, first picked up the guitar when he was 10. From a musical family, Wyatt...
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Written by Owens, this waltz showcases his ability to play slow tempo tunes as well as faster reels and dance numbers. Recorded at the "Fiddle Traditions" CD Release Party at the Spartanburg County...
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Ralph Smith performing on Country Earle's WAGI radio program in 1955. Ralph was well-known for his "talking blues" and played many of the same songs as upstate blues musician and talking blues pioneer...
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Audio transcript for Harold Vernon Riddle
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Harold Vernon Riddle played the fiddle for well over fifty years. He was first exposed to the rural folk music of upstate South Carolina in the mill village of Glendale where he was born. He heard...
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Audio transcript for: Beginning Of High School Bands Brass Bands & Square Dances Textile Brass Bands
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Ralph and his wife Faye singing one of their favorite old-time gospel numbers. Recorded in 1955 and transferred by Alda Smith.
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A tune that reflects the popularity of juke boxes in the 1930s. Songs like this would have been mainstays at clubs featuring juke boxes and a crowd willing to dance.
