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Oral Histories: Traditional Music, in the Berea Sound Archives

Appalachian Hip-Hop Oral History Collection

January 2009 Berea student course project documenting Hip-Hop dance, music, spoken word, and other cultural expression in the Appalachian region. Video interviews were recorded with Berea students and others along with an open mic performance event.

Hip-Hop  In These Mountains Interviews
Four young artists respectively from Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina talk about their life and music.

Berea College Celebration of Traditional Music Oral History Collection 2014

Twelve video recorded interviews that include event founder Loyal Jones, members of the Traditional Music Committee, and performers.

Jim Smoak Banjo Music Collection

Recorded interviews (2013-2014), transcripts, performance recordings, and additional materials documenting the music and experiences of banjo player Jim Smoak. 

John Harrod Oral History Interview

Wide ranging 2012 interview with John Harrod one of the leading documenters of older style traditional music in Kentucky, particularly its strong fiddle tradition.

John Lair - Renfro Valley Barn Dance Oral History Collection 1994-1999

Thirty audio recorded interviews with performers and others who were associated with the Renfro Valley Barn Dance and other radio programs produced by John Lair, first in Cincinnati, Ohio and later in Renfro Valley, Kentucky, 1937 through much of the 1950s.

Kentucky Traditional and Early Country Music Oral History Collection

Audio and video recorded interviews and performances (1969-2008) with Kentucky traditional musicians and singers some of whom had radio performing careers mainly during the 1930s and 1940s.   

Playing and Singing Interviews (2019-2021), South Arts In These Mountains Folk Arts Documentation Project

Documentation of various aspects of folk arts and culture in central Appalachian counties of Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina.