Old-Time Conversations

Approaching 50, the author of this book found himself drawn back to the joy and sense of community he had witnessed music bring in his youth. Inspired by this rediscovered passion, he embarked on a 12-year odyssey, capturing the stories of artisans, performers and teachers of traditional music across North America, all preserved in this volume.

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Disillusioned with business at age 50, the author found himself irresistibly drawn to the joy and sense of community that music had first brought to his youth. Inspired by this rediscovered passion, he embarked on a remarkable 12-year odyssey, capturing the stories of artisans, performers, and teachers of traditional music across North America now preserved in this volume. These interviewees who represent the heart and soul of old-time music include instrument builders Bart Reiter, Patrick "Doc" Huff, Pete Ross, Zachary Hoyt, Bill Rickard, and William Seeders Mosheim; old-time performers Rayna Gellert, David Holt, James "Sparky" Rucker, Clare Milliner, Mac Benford, Sheila Kay Adams, Paul Brown and John McCutcheon; and historians and authors Dwight Diller, Bill Malone, Don Flemons, and Tim Brooks.