American Folk Music: Old Time in the Current Times

When people say “American folk music,” they’re often referring to the folk revival of the 1960s, a continuation, and sometimes appropriation, of the old time tradition into the cultural mainstream. But what is old time?

Old time music is a small part of the tapestry of traditional American music, primarily reflecting the culture of working class English-Americans. But this definition is flawed; it fails to take into account inspiration from other cultures, especially African American culture, from which many staples of the style, including the banjo, originate.

In this enlightening presentation, listeners will receive an in-depth overview of old time music. Great Lakes State-based troubadour Ben Traverse, along with their guitar, banjo, mountain dulcimer, and autoharp, will perform a variety of songs. These performances will serve as lenses to explore old time’s diverse cultural and systemic influences, the impact of these influences on its contemporary perception, and the ongoing evolution and growth of the music.