by Mike Rosso and Elliot Jackson
Many Americans might be tempted to conjure up pictures of barefoot, dentally-challenged Appalachians when they hear the words “string-band” or “old-timey music.” Almost needless to say, they will think of it as “white music.” In fact, this music does has deep roots in the experience of white immigrants from the British Isles and Ireland. The early settlers of Appalachia played their own versions of ancient tunes brought over from their homelands. Blues, jazz, country music, even rock and roll has its origins in these tunes found throughout the Eastern mountains and the deep South of the United States.