American Popular Music

The traditional songs, dances, and legends of ordinary people in the United States have long served as a means of communication and a source of entertainment. Each group brought its unique song and dance music to America: The Irish brought jigs and reels, the African-American slaves work and dance songs, Hispanics their corridos and polkas, Cajuns their waltzes and two-steps. The interaction between these groups created the many rich hybrids that are American folk music.

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The traditional songs, dances, and legends of ordinary people in the United States have long served as a means of communication and a source of entertainment. Each group brought its unique song and dance music to America: The Irish brought jigs and reels, the African-American slaves work and dance songs, Hispanics their corridos and polkas, Cajuns their waltzes and two-steps. The interaction between these groups created the many rich hybrids that are American folk music.

Featuring 36 photographs, a glossary, discography, and chronology, American Popular Music: Folk is an essential resource on this vital and influential American art form.

Entries include:

• The Archive of American Folk-Song
• Moses Asch
• Joan Baez
• Harry Chapin
• Bob Dylan
• Fairport Convention
• Woody Guthrie
• The Irish Rovers
• John and Alan Lomax
• Eck Robertson
• Pete Seeger
• Townes Van Zandt
• Lucinda Williams
• John W. Work
• and many others.