Browsing: Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame

His most important contribution to the music community is as an educator. He founded Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music in 1957 along with Win Stracke and Dawn Greening. Hamilton taught guitar and banjo and served as unofficial dean. Artists including Pete Seeger, Odetta, Doc Watson, and Bill Monroe performed at the school in its early years.

The influences of those who have gone before her may be apparent in her playing but there is no denying she has a style uniquely her own.

Just as the Beatles had heralded a revitalization of rock and roll, James Taylor found himself in the forefront of the singer/songwriter era along with Joni Mitchell.

Emmylou has excelled as both a songwriter and an interpreter of songs. She has sold more than 15 million records, won 14 Grammy Awards, three CMA Awards, and four Americana Awards. She is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, as well as the Academy of American Arts and Science. 

Intentionally or unintentionally, predictably or unpredictably, the folk revival of the 1960s gave way to the era of the singer/songwriter era of the 1970s. If any one artist served as a bridge between the two events it would be Joni Mitchell.

Taj Mahal was at the forefront of blues revivalists who were introducing the genre to a new and younger audience. The music of Son House, Skip James, Mississippi John Hurt and other old guard bluesmen were “rediscovered” thanks to Mahal and others of his generation. 

She continues the battle even today, not only in the Civil Rights arena but in other fields as well.

Mavis Staples was among the ten Solo Living Artists inducted. Part nineteen of our FARHOF series!

His stories are based on his real life adventures starting when he left home at 15 in 1946, and we are still hungry for the stories he has to tell.

Part sixteen of our FARHOF series!