Folk music
by Brandon Dominguez
Where it came from
Folk music includes both traditional music and the genre that evolved from it during the 20th century folk revival. The term originated in the 19th century but is often applied to music that is older than that. Some types of folk music are also called world music
Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers. It has been contrasted with commercial and classical styles. One meaning often given is that of old songs, with no known composers; another is music that has been transmitted and evolved by a process of oral transmission or performed by custom over a long period of time.
Singers
Donna Ulisse
Donna Ulisse (born in Hampton, Virginia) is an American country music and bluegrass singer-songwriter. Signed to Atlantic records in 1991, she released her debut album, Trouble at the Door, that year and two singles which charted on the lower part of the Billboard Hot country singles and tracks chart. In 2007 and 2009, Ulisse returned to recording, releasing two albums on her own label, Hadley Music Group.
Richie Havens
(January 21, 1941 – April 22, 2013), known as Richie Havens, was an American singer and songwriter and guitarist. His music encompassed elements of folk, soul, and rhytm and blues. He is best known for his intense and rhythmic guitar style (often in open tunings), soulful covers of pop and folk songs, and his opening performance at the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
Stompin' Tom Connors
(February 9, 1936 – March 6, 2013) was one of Canada's most prolific and well-known country and folk singer and song writer. Focusing his career exclusively on his native Canada, Connors is credited with writing more than 300 songs and has released four dozen albums, with total sales of nearly 4 million copies. Connors died at age 77 in his home in Ballinafad, Ontario on March 6, 2013.
Instruments
banjo
A banjo probably evolved from an instrument brought to America by African slaves, called banzas, banjars, or banias. Since the slaves weren't permitted to play drums, they started making banzas. Originally, these were made from a dried gourd. They'd cut the top off the gourd and cover the hole with pig, goat or cat skin. Then, they'd attach a neck made from wood, and usually three or four strings.
Musical Jug
The musical jug is precisely what it says it is: usually a stoneware jug (although glass and ceramic jugs are also played) into which the player blows with their mouth. The musical jug is played in a manner similar to playing brass instruments or didjeridoos.
Dobro
A dobro is an acoustic guitar with a metal resonator built into its body. This resonator serves as an amplifier. In contrast to acoustic guitars, the placement of the resonator takes place of the sound hole. Therefore the shape of the guitar doesn't tend to have an affect on how the dobro's sound is amplified.