Common questions about Folk music

Short answers, pulled from the story.

Who coined the word folklore in 1846?

William Thoms coined the word folklore in 1846 to describe the traditions, customs, and superstitions of the uncultured classes. This label eventually defined a global musical genre that existed before the term as the sound of daily life transmitted orally.

When did Cecil Sharp record ballads in the Blue Ridge Mountains?

Cecil Sharp journeyed to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and the Cumberland Mountains of Kentucky between 1916 and 1918. He recorded hundreds of ballads passed down from British ancestors to Appalachian communities during this period.

Which president hosted folk concerts at the White House in the 1930s?

President Franklin Roosevelt hosted folk concerts at the White House and patronized festivals like Sarah Gertrude Knott's National Folk Festival. The festival began in St. Louis in 1934 and served as a force for social goods promoting democracy and cultural pluralism.

When was the Folk category created in the Grammy Awards?

The Folk category was created in the Grammy Awards in 1959. This category later split into Best Traditional Folk Recording and Best Contemporary Folk Recording to distinguish between different styles of the genre.

What is the Ravanahatha and where did it originate?

The Ravanahatha is a bowed fiddle made from a coconut shell and goat hide that is believed to have originated among the Hela civilization in Sri Lanka. It dates back to the time of King Ravana and represents a unique tradition within the global folk music landscape.

When was the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation created to promote Canadian music?

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation was created in 1936 to promote Canadian music and counter the influence of American radio networks. This organization supports the preservation of folk music as a vital badge of cultural and national identity.