Log in Subscribe

Music of the Mountains: History of American Folk Music

Jamie Lammers
Posted 4/27/23

Folk songs are usually described as songs that convey the everyday lives of the people writing them – hopes, sorrows, and convictions are among the traits described in these songs. These songs were

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Music of the Mountains: History of American Folk Music

Posted

Folk songs are usually described as songs that convey the everyday lives of the people writing them – hopes, sorrows, and convictions are among the traits described in these songs. These songs were spread orally and aurally at churches, on front porches, in the fields, at parties, and while rocking children to sleep. As folk songs became more and more ingrained in the consciousness of American citizens, the melodies and words were passed down from parents to children, although songs and their meanings often changed with the times.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the term “folk music” was typically used by scholars to refer to music made by whites of European ancestry, especially those that lived in the isolated rural South. Eventually, the definition expanded to include song styles, especially blues, of southern Blacks, along with other groups such as Native Americans, Mexican-Americans, and Cajuns.

In the 1960s, awareness of folk music continued to grow in the United States, with singer/songwriters such as Bob Dylan popularizing the intimate, acoustic performing style that is often associated with community-based folk musicians. Often, this music would be played in communities across America, but would not be heard on the radio. Writers, scholars, and listeners started looking for new ways to describe the vast array of music, including blues, gospel, traditional country, Zydeco, Tejano, and Native American pow-wow, and eventually, the term “American roots music” came into the public consciousness.

Special thanks to PBS for providing the information used for this article. Be sure to keep an eye on the music listing every week to see which folk musicians are playing in the Peak to Peak area!


Busey Brews

Sunday, May 14 at 2 p.m. - Ella Wren

Sunday, May 21 at 2 p.m. - Troy Yanel

Sunday, May 28 at 2 p.m. - Eric Stone

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuseyBrews/

Website: https://buseybrews.com/

Email: contact@buseybrews.com

Location: 70 E. 1st Street, Nederland.

Phone: 1-855-633-2739

Canyon Tavern

Friday, April 28 at 6 p.m. - Karaoke Night

Saturday, April 29 at 6 p.m. - David Booker

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Coalcreekcanyontavern

Location: 32138 Highway 72, Coal Creek Canyon.

Phone: 303-642-3180

Caribou Room

Wednesday, May 5 at 8 p.m. - The High Hawks w/ Drunken Hearts

Friday, May 19 at 8 p.m. - Rootz N Kultcha Tour

Friday, May 26 at 8 p.m. - Donna the Buffalo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecaribouroom/

Website: https://www.thecaribouroom.com/

Location: 55 Indian Peaks Drive, Nederland.

Phone: 303-258-3637

Covered Wagon

Every Thursday at 7 p.m. - Karaoke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coveredwagonrestaurantsaloon/

Website: https://www.coveredwagonrestaurant.com/

Location: 15 East 1st Street, Nederland.

Phone: 303-258-7578

Gold Hill General Store and Pub

Saturday, April 29 at 7 p.m. - Dwayne Haggins

Website: https://www.goldhillstore.com/

Email: contact@goldhillstore.com

Location: 531 Main Street, Gold Hill

Phone: 303-443-7724

Gold Hill Inn

Friday, May 5 at 8 p.m. - That Damn Sasquatch

Saturday, May 6 at 7 p.m. - The Cody Sisters

Sunday, May 7 at 7 p.m. - Salome Songbird

Wednesday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. - Vince Herman Band

Friday, May 12 at 8 p.m. - Chain Station

Saturday, May 13 at 7 p.m. - Lisa Lestander and Jon Sousa

Sunday, May 14 at 6 p.m. - Kate Farmer Duo

Friday, May 19 at 8 p.m. - The Fretliners

Saturday, May 20 at 7 p.m. - Dan McCorison

Sunday, May 21 at 6 p.m. - Montana Sand

Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m. - Chatham Rabbits

Saturday, May 27 at 6 p.m. - Damn Tall Buildings

Sunday, May 28 at 6 p.m. - Danny Shafer

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldHillInn/

Website: goldhillinn.com

Email: cfinn@goldhillinn.com; bfinn@goldhillinn.com

Location: 401 Main Street, Gold Hill.

Phone: 303-443-6461

Howlin Wind Brewing

Saturday, April 29 at 5 p.m. - FastFloyd

Sunday, April 30 at 4 p.m. - Open Bluegrass Jam

Saturday May 6 at 5:30 p.m. - Songwriter Night ft Benny Galloway,

Paul Sink, Adam Pause, Brandy Ray, and Dave Pullins

Sunday May 14 at 4 p.m. - Open Bluegrass Jam

Sunday May 28 at 4 p.m. - Open Bluegrass Jam

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howlinwindbrewing

Website: https://www.howlinwindbrewing.com/

Location: 51 A Main Street, Rollinsville.

Phone: 309-825-5245

Jamestown Mercantile

Wednesday, May 3 at 5 p.m. - Open Mic Night

Thursday, May 4 at 7 p.m. - Grey Rails

Friday, May 5 at 7 p.m. - The Pine Beatles

Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m. - Cosmic Charlies Duo

Friday, May 12 at 7 p.m. - Jay SIlence Band

Wednesday, May 17 at 5 p.m. - Open Mic Night

Thursday, May 18 at 7 p.m. - Zizania Music

Friday, May 19 at 7 p.m. - Stellar J Jazz

Sunday, May 21 at 12:15 p.m. - Jackson Maloney

Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m. - Micki Balder and Taylor Sharpe

Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m. - Intergalactic Peace Jelly

Sunday, May 28 at 12 p.m. - Matty G

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jamestown.mercantile/

Website: https://www.jamestownmercantile.com/

Location: 108 Main Street, Jamestown.

Phone: 303-442-5847

Knotted Root Brewing

Every Saturday at 5 p.m. - The Brewer’s Dozen featuring Kings of Prussia and Friends

Every Sunday at 4 p.m. - Jazz Sundays with Black Dog & Friends

Website: https://www.knottedrootbrewing.com/home

Location: 250 N. Caribou Street, Nederland.

Phone: 720-248-7129

Millsite Inn

Every Saturday at 6 p.m. - Open Jam

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millsiteinn.moyer

Website: https://millsiteinn.wixsite.com/millsiteinn

Email: millsiteinn@gmail.com

Location: 44365 Highway 72, Ward

Phone: 720-547-9438

Ned’s Cafe

Every Thursday at 10 p.m. - Dam Jam

Every Sunday at 7 p.m. - Karaoke

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatatneds/

Website: https://www.eatatneds.com/

Location: 121 N. Jefferson Street, Nederland.

Phone: 303-258-0614

Train Cars Coffee and Kava

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thetraincars/

Location: 101 S. Peak to Peak Highway, Nederland

Phone: 303-258-2455

Very Nice Brewing Company

Friday, May 5 at 6 p.m. - Reservoir Fog

Saturday, May 6 at 5 p.m. - Intergalactic Peace Jelly

Friday, May 12 at 6 p.m. - Mountain ReVerb

Saturday, May 13 at 5 p.m. - David Cole

Thursday, May 18 at 6 p.m. - Celtic Music with The Gael

Friday, May 19 at 6 p.m. - Stone-Hall

Saturday, May 20 at 5 p.m. - Adam Hunt

Friday, May 26 at 6 p.m. - C.P. Meyer

Saturday, May 27 at 5 p.m. - Ravin’ Wolf

Sunday, May 28 at 5 p.m. - FastFloyd

Facebook: www.facebook.com/verynicebeer

Website: www.verynicebrewing.com/

Location: 20 E. Lakeview Drive, #112, Nederland.

Phone: 303-258-3770


Did we miss you?

Want to submit your music listing in the Peak to Peak area? Do you have updates to your business? Please call 303-810-5409 or email info@themountainear.com to be included in the next edition.