The Roots of Country Music with Dr. Ralph Stanley, Jim Lauderdale, and James Shelton
Country Music: Styles and Traditions
Country music is among the most popular of American art forms, and its cultural appeal is greater now than ever. Through performance, demonstration, and discussion with country music Grammy® winner Jerry Douglas and musicians Bryan Sutton, Dudley Connell, Sally Love, and Marshall Wilborn, students learn about the history, the styles, and the traditions of this truly American music. Country music historian Joe Wilson moderates the program (recorded in April 2006 at C. D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, VA).
Country Current - Millennium Stage (January 31, 2019)
The Navy’s premier country-bluegrass ensemble Country Current, renowned for its versatility and musicianship, performs modern country music and cutting-edge bluegrass. Reaching out to communities locally and nationally, they perform for veterans, elementary schools, and in support of active duty sailors.
Old Salt Union - Millennium Stage (July 30, 2019)
Old Salt Union is an Americana/bluegrass band from St. Louis, Missouri. Old Salt Union has the groove and the chops of a great string band, balanced with infectious rock ’n’ roll energy. Their music occupies that sweet space between Old Crow folk and Yonder Mountain jam—not a bad place to be for a band about to break.
Alison Krauss, Suzanne Cox, and Cheryl White - “Jolene” (Dolly Parton Tribute) - 2006 Honors
Alison Krauss, Suzanne Cox, and Cheryl White perform the 1973 hit “Jolene” as a tribute to 2006 Honoree Dolly Parton, which was the first single and title track from her album of the same name.
“How to Sing with Others” with Chris Thile - Millennium Stage (June 25, 2016)
Singer-songwriters Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Jarosz join virtuoso mandolinist, singer, and composer Chris Thile of Punch Brothers for How to Sing with Others, an open master class and workshop on vocal and string performance.
Good Old Time Music & Clogging - Millennium Stage (August 27, 2016)
The Barnstormers and Rock Candy Cloggers perform together in Good Old Time Music & Clogging, combining traditional American roots folk music and dynamic dancing.
Ever More Nest - Millennium Stage (August 6, 2019)
Following the release of its debut album, New Orleans Americana outfit Ever More Nest brings its unique, atmospheric alt-country to the Kennedy Center. Much like their album, Ever More Nest’s live performances feature the emotive, authentic voice of lead singer/songwriter Kelcy Mae, accompanied by the band’s soulful guitar work, shimmering banjo and mandolin, country fiddle, and driving rhythm section.
Rachel Baiman - Millennium Stage (September 10, 2017)
Rachel Baiman is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter specializing in old time, bluegrass, Scottish, and folk music. Her new album, Shame, is an exploration of growing up female in America and is musically inspired in equal parts by John Hartford and Courtney Barnett.
I’m With Her - Crossing Muddy Waters | LIVE at The Kennedy Center
I’m With Her performs “Crossing Muddy Waters” LIVE at the Kennedy Center. After a jam session at the 2014 Telluride Bluegrass Festival, three queens of the Americana/folk/bluegrass scene—Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins—knew they had to set out on tour together. On the road, I’m With Her was born. Their individual backgrounds as vocalists and multi-instrumentalists seamlessly blend into a unique sound, creating unforgettable songs layered with elegant technical skill, expressive lyrics, and impressive harmonies.
Over Her Dead Body: A Bluegrass Benediction - Millennium Stage (September 3, 2016)
Pinky Swear Productions presents its award-winning musical Over Her Dead Body: A Bluegrass Benediction as part of the 2016 Page-to-Stage New Play Festival. In the middle of recording a set of “murder ballads,” members of a bluegrass variety show are forced to confront the dark stories related to the songs they sing.
Editor
Tiffany A. Bryant
Producer
Kenny Neal
Updated
January 7, 2020
Discover the multicultural heritage and history of the United States of America through explorations of immigrant life, the lives of legendary pioneers like Lewis and Clark, the modern political system, and significant works of American music, including our National Anthem.
Featuring Allison Krauss & Dr. Thomas Cleveland with Darrell Brown, Mike Dungan, and Chris Sampson
The roots of blues can be found in slave songs, spirituals, and field hollers of the American South; its sound can be heard in early rock ’n’ roll, and in today’s alternative and Hip Hop landscapes. Journey with us to learn about the influences and impact the blues has had on musical cultures.
Learn how the diverse styles of blues, choral music, cajun, zydeco, brass band, border music, and gospel meet and mingle in the Gulf Coast region.
Today if you want to talk about a tragedy, there are plenty of ways to do it. But in the past, one way people would pass along news was through songs.
Eric Friedman
Director, Digital Learning
Kenny Neal
Manager, Digital Education Resources
Tiffany A. Bryant
Manager, Operations and Audience Engagement
JoDee Scissors
Content Specialist, Digital Learning
Generous support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Gifts and grants to educational programs at the Kennedy Center are provided by The Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Bank of America; Capital One; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Carnegie Corporation of New York; The Ednah Root Foundation; Harman Family Foundation; William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust; the Kimsey Endowment; The Kiplinger Foundation; Laird Norton Family Foundation; Lois and Richard England Family Foundation; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; The Markow Totevy Foundation; Dr. Gerald and Paula McNichols Foundation; The Morningstar Foundation; Myra and Leura Younker Endowment Fund; The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives;
Prince Charitable Trusts; Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A. J. Stolwijk; Rosemary Kennedy Education Fund; The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates; The Victory Foundation; The Volgenau Foundation; Volkswagen Group of America; Jackie Washington; GRoW @ Annenberg and Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Family; Wells Fargo; and generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. Additional support is provided by the National Committee for the Performing Arts..
The content of these programs may have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education but does not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
