Mar 132024
 

John Boothroyd talked about bluegrass music, a genre of American roots music that evolved in the 1940s by the ‘father of bluegrass music, Bill Monroe. The talk centred on how the music developed from early settlers from Britain and Ireland in the 18th century to the Appalachian region of America. They brought their musical traditions with them and their old ballads, love songs, instrumental and dance tunes lived on in their often isolated mountain communities over many years.

Bluegrass today enjoys a large following in America and elsewhere. Its down to earth feel, with its influences of folk, blues, Americana and old-time country music giving it wide appeal. It often features fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and upright bass and close vocal harmonies.

John also played some examples of the music from recordings during the presentation.

John has been involved with old-time country music and bluegrass since the late 1960s, as teacher, performer and author.