Rooted in African American antebellum music, Blues music encompasses a wide range of emotions, styles, and sensibilities. Chicago, Country, Delta, Piedmont, Electric, and Memphis are some of the different styles within the genre. See www.pbs.org/theblues/index.html to explore this true American musical form.

Content is provided by McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina.

For further information about any of the artists featured on Digital Traditions, send your questions and comments to hallagan@mailbox.sc.edu.

Title:
I'm Getting Tired Now | Digital Traditions
I'm Getting Tired Now | Digital Traditions

Video

Grades: Higher Education

Drink Small performing with his band in 1992 at the "Heritage of Song" concert hosted by McKissick Museum at the University of South Carolina. Co-produced with South Carolina Educational Television.
Call Mac Arnold | Digital Traditions
Call Mac Arnold | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades: Higher Education

From the album, "Nothin' to Prove" by Mac Arnold & Plate Full o' Blues. About Mac Arnold Born and raised on a sharecroppers’ farm in Pelzer, South Carolina and one of thirteen children, Arnold grew up...
Digital Traditions - Artists
Digital Traditions - Artists

Document

Grades: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Ahrens, Pat All Male Chorus of Blacksburg Arnold, Mac Ayers, Sara Basket, Nancy Baylor, Amos Bellow, Roger Bennett, Mary Jane Benson, JD Blackwell, Richard Boggs, Horatio Manning Bollack, James Booker...
Drink Small Does It All Audio Transcript
Drink Small Does It All Audio Transcript

Document

Grades: Higher Education

Drink Small is a musician who defies classification. His musical style draws from his country origins, acoustic roots, and gospel training. Known as "The Blues Doctor," for Drink music is music and...
Drink Small Photos | Digital Traditions
Drink Small Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

Grades: Higher Education

Few vernacular art forms have made as impressive a mark on American culture as the Blues. From the expressive experiences of African-American life, skilled musicians fashioned a distinctive idiom that...
Freddie Vanderford Photos | Digital Traditions
Freddie Vanderford Photos | Digital Traditions

Photo

Grades: Higher Education

Growing up in Buffalo, SC, Vanderford first learned to play the mouth harp, or harmonica, from his grandfather, who played “old mountain songs” on the instrument. Initially, Vanderford blended the...