This image is the cover for the book Bluegrass, Newgrass, Old-Time, and Americana Music

Bluegrass, Newgrass, Old-Time, and Americana Music

A colorful and comprehensive history of bluegrass and old-time Appalachian music from its legendary roots to today’s Grammy-winning stars.

With simple instrumentation—banjo, guitar, and base—a great variety of musical traditions converged to create the “old-timey” music of Appalachia. Over time, that mountain sound evolved into numerous genres and subgenres that continue to thrive today. Now musician and roots music historian Craig Harris takes readers on an anecdotal journey through this distinctly American music.

From the Grand Ole Opry and the historic Bristol Sessions to contemporary festivals and the reemergence of Bluegrass in popular culture, Harris combines extensive research and never-before-seen photographs with more than ninety exclusive interviews. Bluegrass, Newgrass, Old-Time, and Americana Music is chock full of anecdotes about Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Del McCoury, Doc Watson, Alison Kraus, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and more.

Craig Harris

Craig Harris is a drummer for the Gaea Star Band with whom he co-hosts a weekly radio show. He has several published books about folk music, including The Band: Pioneers of Americana Music. He has performed and recorded with C. J. Chenier, Greg Brown, Merl Saunders, and the late Rick Danko of The Band. He taught music in public and charter schools before launching his participatory, multicultural, fun-for-all-ages Drum Away the Blues program, which promotes healthy stress relief through music.

Pelican Publishing