Sepia Tones: Exploring Black Appalachian Music
Great Smoky Mountains Association (GSMA) is pleased to announce the launch of a new six-part podcast mini-series, “Sepia Tones: Exploring Black Appalachian Music.” Hosted by Drs. William Turner and Ted Olson, “Sepia Tones” will survey the many Black roots and branches of Southern Appalachian music by sharing research, listening to recordings, and interviewing contemporary Black musicians and experts in music history.
“One of the things I noticed quickly, conspicuously, when we started down a path of trying to learn about Black history and culture in the mountains of the South is the absence of a body of literature that deals specifically with the music of Blacks in the South,” said Dr. Turner. “I was inspired to get interested in this type of music, and in this podcast in particular, because we are filling a void. The general public does not know much about Black Appalachian music.”
The six episodes will be released throughout 2021 and cover topics such as the complex history of Black music in East Tennessee, Black sacred music, Black women musicians, and the diverse landscape of music communities in Southern Appalachia. The first episode of the mini-series, premiering in late March, will focus on neglected Black contributions to Appalachian music with an emphasis on country and blues. Featured guests include Loyal Jones, James Leva, and Sparky Rucker.
About the Hosts:
Dr. Turner is a longtime African American studies scholar who first rose to prominence as co-editor of “Blacks in Appalachia” (1985) and as a research assistant to “Roots” author Alex Haley. He retired as the Distinguished Professor of Appalachian Studies and Regional Ambassador at Berea College. His memoir, “The Harlan Renaissance,” is forthcoming from West Virginia University Press in fall 2021.
Dr. Olson is a professor of Appalachian studies at East Tennessee State University and the author of many books, articles, reviews, encyclopedia entries, and oral histories. Olson has produced and compiled several documentary albums of traditional Appalachian music, for which he has received numerous awards, including seven Grammy Award nominations.
