Black Contributions to Early Country Music

This video highlights contributions from Black musicians and culture to the history of country music.

To learn more about visiting the Birthplace of Country Music Museum: https://www.birthplaceofcountrymusic....
To learn more about the creole bania: https://www.birthplaceofcountrymusic....
To learn more about the banjo’s roots: https://bittersoutherner.com/history-...
To learn more about Leslie Riddle: https://www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.... and https://www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.....


You can also check out the CD of studio recordings made with Mike Seeger (starting in 1965 so a bit earlier than I noted in the video!): Step by Step: Lesley Riddle Meets the Carter Family: Blues, Country & Sacred Songs.

To learn more about Elizabeth Cotten: https://folkways.si.edu/elizabeth-cot...

To learn more about DeFord Bailey: https://countrymusichalloffame.org/ar...
To learn more about Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” and the debate surrounding it: https://www.washingtonpost.com/outloo...

Check out these songs or musicians referenced in the video:
Mamie Smith, “Crazy Blues” –    • Mamie Smith - Crazy Blues (1920)   – And a correction to the video voice-over, Mamie Smith’s “Crazy Blues” was selling 8,000 copies per week for several months, rather than just 1,000!
El Watson, “Narrow Gauge Blues” –    • Narrow Gauge Blues  
Tarter & Gay, “Unknown Blues” –    • Tarter and Gay Unknown Blues (1928)  
Lesley Riddle, “John Henry” –    • Lesley Riddle - "John Henry" [Officia...  
Elizabeth Cotten, “Freight Train” –    • freight train elizabeth cotten  
DeFord Bailey, “Pan American Blues” –    • DeFord Bailey - Pan American Blues  
Charley Pride, “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” –    • Charley Pride - "Kiss An Angel Good M...  
Ray Charles, “It Makes No Difference Now” –    • Ray Charles: It Makes No Difference N...  
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel” –    • Darius Rucker - Wagon Wheel (Official...  
Tricia Yearwood, “XXXs and OOOs” (written by Alice Randall and Matraca Berg) –    • XXX's And OOO's (An American Girl)  
Our Native Daughters (Amythyst Kiah), “Black Myself” –    • Our Native Daughters "Black Myself" |...  
Carolina Chocolate Drops (Dom Flemons, Rhiannon Giddens, and Hubby Jenkins), “Country Girl” –    • Carolina Chocolate Drops - Country Gi...  
Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, “Texas Traveler” –    • Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton--Texas Trav...