Wayne Erbsen’s newest book takes a deep look at
bluegrass music to uncover its true roots: ballads of early pioneers,
Scots-Irish fiddle tunes, black spirituals, plantations melodies, blues,
murder ballads, sentimental parlor songs from Tin Pan Alley, North Carolina
banjo styles and gospel songs. The book is richly illustrated with over
100 vintage photos and includes lyrics, musical notation, chords, history
and playing tips to 94 songs. There are also nearly 80 pages of history
and profiles portraying important musicians including the Monroe Brothers,
Carter Family, Bradley Kincaid, Riley Puckett, Charlie Poole, Wade &
J.E. Mainer, Vernon Dalhart, Carolina Tar Heels, G.B. Grayson and Henry
Whitter, Fiddlin’ Arthur Smith, Ernest V. Stoneman, Blue Sky Boys,
Fiddlin’ John Carson, Coon Creek Girls, Earl Scruggs, Eck Robertson,
Callahan Brothers, Samantha Bumgarner, Bill Monroe Zeke & Wiley
Morris, Jimmie Rodgers and Stringbean. Optional CD by Wayne Erbsen and
Laura Boosinger is available containing fourteen songs from the book.