1920s -Those Beautiful Clog Dancing Days In Appalachia

While I don't agree with the point of view some of my viewers express about my videos that the old days were better than today–there are things about each era that are just wonderful. I fell in love with the mountain people of North Carolina before I 1st visited there when I was 22 years old. Just hearing the music. And I witnessed some of those 1960s versions of what these people are describing. Just beautiful. In 1916, British folklorist Cecil Sharp traveled to Madison County, North Carolina, to collect traditional folk songs that had been preserved in the region's isolated communities. He was profoundly impressed by the area's rich musical heritage, noting that singing was as common and nearly as universal as speaking among the residents. This deep-rooted tradition led Sharp to describe Madison County as "a nest of singing birds," highlighting its exceptional cultural wealth in music and dance. During his time in Madison County, Sharp collected songs from 39 singers, including notable figures like Mary Sands and members of the Wallin family. These individuals were part of a longstanding tradition of ballad singing, with repertoires tracing back to English, Scottish, and Irish origins. The preservation and continuous practice of these ballads within the community underscored the county's unparalleled cultural richness in folk music. The enduring musical traditions of Madison County have continued to thrive, with contemporary artists like Sheila Kay Adams and the descendants of the original ballad singers keeping the heritage alive. This ongoing commitment to preserving and performing traditional music reinforces the county's reputation as a significant center for cultural, musical, and dance heritage in America.