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Digital Traditions

Home to a wealth of folk traditions, South Carolina is culturally and geographically diverse. 

General - Traditional Arts

Home to a wealth of folk traditions, South Carolina is culturally and geographically diverse.  From the Appalachian Mountains to the Sea Islands and from rural crossroads to urban centers, the state boasts rich sources of traditional culture and folklore. Rooted in family and community activities, folklife involves expressive forms of many kinds that are communicated verbally and by observation or imitation.  Folk artists can learn through apprenticeships, but most often are taught informally by family members or close friends. This sharing of information can occur in many different group settings - familial, occupational, religious, social, and educational. Folklife is dynamic by nature, a part of a community's history that continues to develop every day, with every generation.  

Digital Traditions was developed to provide access to the Folklife Resource Center (FRC) at McKissick Museum.  For thirty years, deeply rooted traditions like quilting, pottery, basketry, communal foodways, and folk music have been documented through audio, video, and photography. For further information about any of the artists featured on Digital Traditions, send your questions and comments to hallagan@mailbox.sc.edu.

Resource Type
Steel Guitar Chimes | Alda Smith | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades

  • Higher Education
Steel Guitar Chimes | Alda Smith | Digital Traditions
A traditional steel guitar or Dobro tune performed by Alda. This was a very familiar number to Alda - his father Ralph performed it often - along with several other steel guitar standards.
Leather Britches | Charles Summer | Digital Traditions Cripple Creek | Charles Summer | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades

  • Higher Education
Cripple Creek | Charles Summer | Digital Traditions
Buffalo. PRODUCED BY Hairy Toe Productions. 2005. Front cover artwork by Drew Deane. Recorded and mixed by John Fowler. Charles Summer - Fiddle & Vocal, Briggs Hamilton - Guitar, Nancy Hamilton - Bass...
Gee Wah Song | Alda Smith | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades

  • Higher Education
Gee Wah Song | Alda Smith | Digital Traditions
Traditional Appalachian ballad performed by Shelah Lafayette Laws. Recorded by Alda in 1967 when Shelah was 87 years old. When asked about the song, Shelah could only remember that he learned it as a...
Leather Britches | Charles Summer | Digital Traditions Chicken Reel | Charles Summer | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades

  • Higher Education
Chicken Reel | Charles Summer | Digital Traditions
Buffalo. PRODUCED BY Hairy Toe Productions. 2005. Front cover artwork by Drew Deane. Recorded and mixed by John Fowler. Charles Summer - Fiddle & Vocal, Briggs Hamilton - Guitar, Nancy Hamilton - Bass...
Gee Wah Song | Alda Smith | Digital Traditions Hard Luck Blues | Alda Smith | Digital Traditions

Audio

Grades

  • Higher Education
Hard Luck Blues | Alda Smith | Digital Traditions
Ralph Smith performing on Country Earle's WAGI radio program in 1955. Ralph was well-known for his "talking blues" and played many of the same songs as upstate blues musician and talking blues pioneer...