American Folk Music & American Folk Music History

American folk music and American folk music history has origins in oral traditions of early cultures including a mix of folk cultures. In the very beginnings, as America was developing, each new culture that formed this nation brought rich dynamic to American folk music.

Cultures such as Irish, African, English and naturally Native American story telling and folk songs were used by musicians and echoed the changing face of the country.

Folk music classification can be difficult to pinpoint; however, nearly always contains story telling elements. US folk music history includes many political songs that tell the story of freedom as well as oppression. During times of difficulty in the country, whether through war, through economy or injustice American music tends to go back to its folk history.

At the turn of the century American folklorists turned attention to folk music and an investigation as well as recognition began. With recognition come a need for preservation of folk music and several US folk organizations were developed to do just this.

The National US Folk Organization is one larger organization; however, many smaller ‘home grown’ organizations were developed including the Grand River Folk Arts Society located in Michigan and the California Traditional Music Society. California traditional folk music is featured in many festivals through the year including Summer Solstice which includes great music, lively dance and lots of food.

Folk arts of America peaked in popularity in the 1970’s; however, has been building since the 1930’s. Artists who built the foundation of folk music’s foundation include Woody Guthrie, Burl Ives and Cisco Hurston. Lead Belly joined the popularity in the 1950 and by the 1970’s folk music was adding elements such as electric guitars; however, the basis remained. Artists who embraced the new styles of folk music include son of Woody Guthrie, Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell.

While folk music has been the foundation for many genres of music popular today, it has remained its own genre. Folk music has been the progenitor of jazz, rock and roll and R&B and some folk music seeps into main stream music even today; example of this are musicians like Ani DiFranco.