Archives of Appalachia

Archives of Appalachia A repository of written words, images, and sounds that document life in southern Appalachia.

The Archives of Appalachia is a unit of the Center for Appalachian Studies & Services at East Tennessee State University.

Regional Old-Time music in Georgia!!The Skillet-Lickers first significant recordings took place in Atlanta in the spring...
06/15/2026

Regional Old-Time music in Georgia!!

The Skillet-Lickers first significant recordings took place in Atlanta in the spring of 1926. On April 17, Gid Tanner, Riley Puckett, Fate Norris, and Clayton McMichen assembled to record eight sides for Columbia Records. When these records were released, artists' credits read, "Gid Tanner and His Skillet-Lickers with Riley Puckett."

The track featured here, "Alabama Jubilee," is one of the eight sides recorded that day in April. Between 1926 and 1931 the Skillet-Lickers recorded eighty-eight sides for Columbia of which eighty-two were released. The personnel of the Skillet-Lickers was an ever-evolving cast throughout the years and included Bert Layne, Lowe Stokes, Ted Hawkins, and Tanner's son, Gordon.

The Skillet-Lickers, according to Norm Cohen, came to be regarded as "one of the finest and most popular of the hillbilly string bands to record during the twenties and thirties." (Daniel, 1990)

Click here to listen "Alabama Jubilee" :

https://archivesofappalachia.omeka.net/exhibits/show/regional-fiddling-styles/georgia

More about the Regional Old-Time Music of the Timothy F. Woodbridge 78 rpm Record Collection:

https://archivesofappalachia.omeka.net/exhibits/show/regional-fiddling-styles

Little Chicago was a play written by nationally-acclaimed playwright and storyteller, Jo Carson. It premiered in 1982 an...
06/08/2026

Little Chicago was a play written by nationally-acclaimed playwright and storyteller, Jo Carson. It premiered in 1982 and was performed by The Road Company, Johnson City’s theater ensemble, known for their depiction of the Appalachian experience. Richard Blaustein wrote five original songs for the play, including the “Little Chicago” theme, and was an integral part of the music crew, which included his longtime friends and collaborators, Doug Dorschug and Ed Snodderly. Richard was naturally a thematic songwriter, and writing these musical pieces for the stage and theater came easy for him.

Click here to listen "Down Home in Sunny Tennessee", "A Good Friend of Mine", "Fortune Tellers Waltz" and "Stardust and Moonbeams" :

https://archivesofappalachia.omeka.net/exhibits/show/blaustein/little-chicago-musical

The complete recording is available to stream here:

https://archivesofappalachia.aviaryplatform.com/collections/1612/collection_resources/48171?access=lrJW4phyL676ilzocP7AFA%3D%3D

More about Tune In On My Memories: The Work and Play of Richard Blaustein:

https://archivesofappalachia.omeka.net/exhibits/show/blaustein

Mal Cooper plays acoustic swing music in the style of 1920s New Orleans jazz. He plays plectrum banjo and is accompanied...
06/04/2026

Mal Cooper plays acoustic swing music in the style of 1920s New Orleans jazz. He plays plectrum banjo and is accompanied by upright bass, drums, and guitar.
Mal began his musical journey at the age of seventeen. In 1952 he purchased a ukulele and thus began his journey into the musical community. Moving on to a 1940 Gibson 4-string guitar (he still owns) and eventually buying a six-string guitar, Mal took formal lessons...two and quit! In 1956 started a group, Note-Aires and later the Mood-Masters, that managed to stay together for twenty-three years.

Click here to listen "Ain't Misbehavin' " and "Stardust" :

https://archivesofappalachia.omeka.net/exhibits/show/studio-one/blues-jazz

More about W.E.T.S. 89.5 - Studio One: Local Music throughout the Years:

https://archivesofappalachia.omeka.net/exhibits/show/studio-one

06/03/2026

🏆 Congratulations to Dr. Ron Roach, a distinguished faculty member in ETSU's College of Arts & Sciences, on receiving one of Appalachia’s highest honors!

At this year’s Appalachian Studies Association conference, Dr. Roach earned the prestigious Cratis D. Williams and James S. Brown Service Award, recognizing exemplary contributions to Appalachia, Appalachian studies, and the Appalachian Studies Association.

As chair of ETSU’s Department of Appalachian Studies and director of the Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services, Dr. Roach has spent more than a decade advancing scholarship, building community partnerships, leading international learning experiences, and helping tell the rich and complex story of Appalachia.

His work reflects ETSU’s commitment to serving the region and celebrating the people, culture, and history that make Appalachia extraordinary.

Join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition for one of the College of Arts & Sciences’ outstanding faculty leaders!

ETSU Appalachian Studies

05/27/2026
Thanks for the kind words!
05/20/2026

Thanks for the kind words!

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