Explore various musical styles, musicians and music-related careers.
Photo
Marshall and Leon James began singing gospel music at an early age. Their father, AB James, formed a family singing group that included their older brother Albert. He taught them to sing harmony by...
Photo
One of the choirs that sang in the Sunday afternoon “Gospel Extravaganza” portion of the Williamsburg County Black Heritage Festival in Kingstree, SC.
Video
More and more, music schools and institutes are incorporating entrepreneurship classes, organizations, clubs, seminars and workshops into their programs. Why is that? In order to explore the truth...
Photo
This building, which was designed by Robert Mills, was constructed in 1833 for the care of sick and disabled seamen. After the Civil War, it became a school for African American children. From 1895 to...
Photo
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie got his nickname because he liked to make jokes and act up on stage. He was one of the greatest of all jazz musicians, and the most famous native of Cheraw, South Carolina...
Audio
Listen to singer and songwriter Abbey Elmore as she performs, Love You Freely Mix. Used with permission from Abbey Elmore.
Audio
Listen to s inger and songwriter Abbey Elmore as she performs, Make My Day. Used with permission from Abbey Elmore.
Audio
After slavery ended, some African American churches shifted from traditional spirituals to a new kind of religious music called gospel. This style of music brought together the elements of the “shout”...
Audio
Country music as we know it today grew out of blues and folk music. In country music’s earliest form, southern musicians both white and black, created music for the working class that told stories...
Audio
Blues and country music contributed to a style called rhythm and blues. This was an early form of what we now call rock and roll. It appealed to a younger audience that liked to dance to the sounds of...