pipeitupppp:

This article discusses and analyzes the influence of African American music in the bluegrass genre. Many black children in Appalachia grew up surrounded by banjos, harmonicas, and bluegrass legends such as Earl Scruggs. Listeners can hear the African influence specially in syncopated rhythms, and “flat vocal tones.” Furthermore, the classic blues and other traditionally black music influenced many prominent bluegrass bands’ music. 

However many black bluegrass musicians found it somewhat difficult to participate actively in the industry, due to Jim Crowe and other segregating laws. Allen Farmelo stated that no African Americans would have felt comfortable at bluegrass festivals, due to the heavy influence of Southern culture. However, this did not prevent the white bluegrass musicians from taking bits and pieces from black bluegrass and blues music. 

Even in the more recent years, famous bluegrass musicians play the original African version of a song and the American adapted version, so audiences can experience just how similar some of these adaptations are. African and African American culture have unique influences specifically in music, which are important to consider when reliving their collective memory. 

(via appalachian-appreciation)