Spirit of Bluegrass: Home in Sound (abstract)

Exploring themes of loneliness, missing your mother, and a strong home calling; bluegrass strings together the likes of blues, country, European, and African traditions to create its’ distinctive, energetic sound. Though this culture contains many charms, its’ past has problematic tendencies that have lasted into today regarding the historical misrepresentation. Growing up around this culture, I write to explore the beauty and uniqueness I know mountain music has to offer, while also covering its’ proper roots including the Anglo-American influence. 

Retracing the Roots of Bluegrass Music through an
Affrilachian Aesthetic – Heeseung Lee, University of Northern Colorado