Southern Mountain Music - (Contributions to Southern Appalachian Studies) by Wayne Erbsen (Paperback)

About the Book

"This work represents a lifetime of research by Wayne Erbsen, professor of old-time and bluegrass music at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Over years of research, he managed to interview many of the important pioneers of Appalachian music. In many cases, he was the first and often the only scholar to ever collect their stories. For this alone, this history will remain an indispensable resource for generations to come. The first part of the book is devoted to stories of many of the pioneers of old-time and bluegrass music. Following that are chapters on brother duets from the 1930s, legendary banjo pickers and fiddle players, plus tales of 19th century songwriters whose songs still populate bluegrass music. Also covered are such wide-ranging whimsical topics as cowboys in bluegrass music, Charlie Cline's powerful snoring, a near-encounter with Bigfoot, and Hoss Cartwright's hat."--

Book Synopsis

This work represents a lifetime of research by Wayne Erbsen, professor of old-time and bluegrass music at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, who interviewed many legendary figures in Appalachian music. Often the first and only scholar to ever collect their stories, he provides in this book an indispensable history of bluegrass and old-time music in Appalachia for generations to come.

The book begins with stories featuring many pioneers of old-time and bluegrass music. Next are chapters on brother duets from the 1930s, legendary banjo pickers and fiddle players, plus tales of 19th-century songwriters whose songs still populate bluegrass music. Also covered are wide-ranging and whimsical topics such as the Ghost of Scotty Stoneman, cowboys in bluegrass music, Charlie Cline's powerful snoring, a near-encounter with Bigfoot, and Hoss Cartwright's hat.

Review Quotes

"A fascinating book! It takes a deep dive into southern mountain music from the early days of old-time string bands to the early brother duets to many historic bluegrass artists. I can't wait to add your book to my collection!"-Danny Paisley, four-time IBMA male vocalist

"Anyone with an interest in the history of the music of the southern Appalachian region will find Southern Mountain Music either a sterling resource, or an entertaining read.... One would expect to find this book on the reading list of Appalachian Studies programs all over the southeast.... this is a 'can't lose' volume that belongs in the library of anyone with a passion for traditional mountain music."-John Lawless, Bluegrass Today

"As welcome as a friendly handshake and a warm Appalachian smile, Wayne Erbsen's new book sparkles with fascinating stories that are entertaining, educational, and rich in well-researched detail! It is a must read for any fan of American acoustic music history!"-Marc Pruett, Honorary Doctor of Arts, Grammy recipient, member of Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame

"Count on Wayne Erbsen for accuracy and reliability!"-Bill Clifton, legendary bluegrass musician

"For longer than I care to admit, the writings of Wayne Erbsen have been a constant go-to source when learning about the history of bluegrass and old-time country music. He came of age when many of the titans of our music were still among us, and oftentimes Wayne's thoughtful and well-researched articles represented the only serious overviews of their work. Southern Mountain Music celebrates a lifetime of music history well written."-Gary Reid, three-time winner of the International Bluegrass Music Association's award for Best Liner Notes, a past IBMA Print/Media Person of the Year

"For more than half a century, Wayne Erbsen has served "Southern Mountain Music" in multiple roles-as musician, educator, radio broadcaster, promoter, and writer. This book celebrates his work in the latter role and reflects his sustained passion for regional music traditions. Erbsen deeply respects the forebears of those traditions, and this book offers a bountiful harvest of feature articles about music along with vital documentation from the many interviews he has conducted over the years with significant regional musicians from earlier generations."-Ted Olson, professor of Appalachian Studies, East Tennessee State University

"For those with an interest in early country, bluegrass, and old time music, Southern Mountain Music, by Wayne Erbsen takes you on a personally guided tour through the hills and hollers of the genres like you never had before. In Erbsen's collected writings, he shares an insider's sharp-eyed view of the music, music makers, influencers, humor, and the varied regions-from the mountains of Western North Carolina to the balmy shores of Southern California-that make up these timeless musical offerings."-Alan Munde, banjo player, American Banjo Hall of Fame, International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame, Steve Martin Banjo Prize Winner

"From the mere enthusiast to the acclaimed historian of old time, bluegrass, or country music, this book is a must-read! Wayne Erbsen has written so many great articles over the last few decades that it is great to see some of his best articles published all together in this wonderful book! Pick up a copy. You won't regret it!"-Jeremy Stephens, member of award winning bluegrass band High Fidelity

"I just finished Southern Mountain Music: The Collected Writings of Wayne Erbsen. What a wonderful book! A priceless collection of stories and pictures of old-time and early bluegrass music. It brought back some great memories. Highly recommended."-Richard Hefner, banjo player and tenor singer with the legendary Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys

"One of the joys of playing old-time mountain music is the wonderfully quirky background behind the tunes, songs and the musicians who played it. In Southern Mountain Music, Wayne Erbsen has collected this history with humor and insight."-David Holt, Grammy award winning old-time musician

"The many entertaining and informative essays in Wayne Erbsen's Southern Mountain Music bring the reader up close to the pioneers of Bluegrass music. Erbsen, obviously a good listener, uses a light touch and lets their voices come forward. Jim Shumate talks about playing on Bill Monroe's baseball team, and Zeke Morris explains how he shaped older bits and pieces into what became 'Salty Dog Blues.' Informed by 50 years of playing and studying the music, Wayne Erbsen presents an intimate picture of the beginnings of what came to be known as Bluegrass."-Tim O'Brien, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter

"This is a fantastic read! I've enjoyed Wayne Erbsen's articles for many years-my interest in the roots of bluegrass goes back to my early teens. Wayne's personal accounts of these pioneers are my favorite facet of his writing. He takes you into the room with them as they talk about the musicians who influenced them and the ones to whom they passed their music along. If you're looking to get into the weeds of bluegrass music, happily this is the book for you."-Dudley Connell, lead singer and guitarist with the Johnson Mountain Boys and The Seldom Scene

"Wayne Erbsen has been teaching, playing, and writing books for as long as I can remember! His latest work is the best one yet! Totally gripping and illuminating! Dig in and dig it!"-Matt Glaser, artistic director, American Roots Music Program, Berklee College of Music

"Wayne Erbsen has long been a prolific and passionate historian, storyteller, teacher, and writer about traditional country music. In Southern Mountain Music he offers an intimate glimpse at some of the most important, influential, and sometimes quirky creators and subjects of the genre. Erbsen's writing is informative and colorful, enhanced by the inclusion of rare interviews and photos. He expertly brings history to life, making it relatable, entertaining, and enjoyable. A terrific read!"-Penny Parsons, author of Foggy Mountain Troubadour, The Life and Music of Curly Seckler

"Wayne Erbsen is a musician and scholar whose writing is laced with a deep understanding of southern Appalachian music and its people. We are enlightened, thanks to his many years of research culminating in this offering, Southern Mountain Music."-Claire Lynch, award winning Americana-Bluegrass musician

"Wayne Erbsen models a curiosity and scholarship that all listeners to music would be wise to emulate. The information he has unearthed is significant to an understanding of the sources and early development of both bluegrass music and the styles that preceded it. He focuses largely on characters and phenomena that have not been widely celebrated elsewhere in the literature, helping us to understand that many unsung heroes underpin the familiar icons."-Fred Bartenstein, bluegrass and country music historian

"Wayne Erbsen's new book, Southern Mountain Music, is a great introduction to old-time and bluegrass mountain music. Wayne brings the knowledge of a lifetime studying, researching, and playing the music, to his essays, written with great familiarity and warmth, often from direct interaction with some of the greatest exponents of the genre. The collected essays, written over a four-decade period provide an excellent overview of the region's traditional music, from early pre-bluegrass old-time pioneers to brother duets to the development of bluegrass and its greatest practitioners. It is not only informative, but a great and entertaining read. I can't recommend it highly enough."-Charlie Seemann, former deputy director at the Country Music Foundation and Hall of fame, retired executive director at the Western Folklife Center

About the Author

A professor of old-time and bluegrass music at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Wayne Erbsen has spent most of his life playing, teaching, researching, publishing, and broadcasting southern Appalachian and bluegrass music. He has written 38 books of songs, folklore, and music instruction. He divides his time between his home in Asheville, North Carolina and his family's Civil War era log cabin in Elk Creek, Virginia.