Banjos Pt. 2: Bluegrass, Beyoncé and Beyond

Forever Ago

American Public Media

Kids & Family, History, Education For Kids

4.4 • 5.3K Ratings

🗓️ 24 July 2024

⏱️ 25 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

We’re back with part two of our string-tastic story of the banjo! In the last episode, musician Rhiannon Giddens helped tell the origin story of the banjo, an instrument many think of as American. But it actually comes from Africa.

Today, we’re focusing on how the banjo went from an instrument played mostly by enslaved people to one of the most popular instruments in the United States. The reason for this was a popular form of entertainment in the mid to late 1800s called minstrel shows. Later on, the banjo helped create the genre known as bluegrass. Now it's having a resurgence thanks to artists like Beyoncé.

Featured expert: Rhiannon Giddens is a Grammy Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning singer and instrumentalist. You can check out her website here!

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	And now get ready for world-renowned podcast host Champion Cat Snuggler and sort of okay cook Joy Dole
0:10.2	DOLO!
0:11.9	Ah! Whoo! Dole! Ahh, Joo, Joy, you're so pretty, oh my gosh, I can't believe how pretty you are.
0:18.0	And that's where the song would hit.
0:20.0	You know, as I walk out to my adoring fans and the paparazzi and a confetti cannon and probably some fireworks
0:26.0	So I need your help crafting the perfect music Xavier. I'm sorry. What is this for again? You know, my walkout music, like baseball players and pro-restlers have.
0:37.0	Wait, is this for some sport you're playing Joy?
0:40.0	Of course not, it's for everyday use. Like when I enter a grocery store or the library.
0:45.5	I've got this sound effects machine to help me find the perfect tune.
0:49.5	I figured since you're a DJ Xavier you can weigh in.
0:53.0	I'm confused.
0:54.0	Where will this music be playing from?
0:56.0	A trivial detail.
0:58.0	I'll figure it out after I have the perfect tune.
1:01.0	It has to be really powerful like screaming guitars. Oh, here's the
1:06.6	screaming guitar button. Maybe something less intense.
1:17.0	Yes, yes, yes.
1:22.0	Let's add something warm and inviting like ska music.
1:27.0	Oh, and some sassy sim and big Band drums. Joy, this is just a loud mess. Yes, it is. But does it say here comes an impressive and talented podcast host.
1:43.0	It says, here comes a splitting headache.
1:46.0	Hmm, you're right.
1:48.0	It just needs some trumpet.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from American Public Media, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of American Public Media and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.