Old-time Music - Contemporary Musicians

Contemporary Musicians

The current old-time music scene is alive and well, sparked since 2000 by the combined exposure resulting from several prominent films, more accessible depositories of source material, and the work of a few of touring bands, including: The Wilders, Uncle Earl, and Old Crow Medicine Show.

A new generation of old-time musicians performs as solo acts and band leaders all over the country, including: Brad Leftwich, Frank Fairfield, Bruce Molsky, Rafe Stefanini, Rayna Gellert, Riley Baugus, Leroy Troy, Alice Gerrard, Dirk Powell, and Martha Scanlan. The Appalachian dulcimer is re-emerging as a key instrument for old-time music, thanks to the influence of musicians such as David Schnaufer and Stephen Seifert. American hammered dulcimer players continue this tradition too, including Mark Alan Wade and Rick Thumb. Family bands, such as The Martin Family Band, from Maryland, are continuing the traditions of old time music played on fiddle, banjo, lap dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, mandolin, piano, guitar, bass and percussion. The Carolina Chocolate Drops directly address the lost tradition of black stringband music.

Living elders of the music include Charlie Acuff of Alcoa, Tennessee, Chester McMillian of Mount Airy, North Carolina, Lee Sexton of Line Fork, Kentucky, Thomas Maupin of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Jimmy Costa of West Virginia, Curtis Hicks of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Clyde Davenport of Monticello, Kentucky, Lester McCumbers of Nicut, Calhoun County, West Virginia, and Delmer Holland of Waverly, Tennessee.

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