Interview with Mike Seeger, June 23, 2007

Interview Summary

Mike Seeger discusses his family background and childhood during the Great Depression, including his parents' interest in traditional music which influenced his own career. He talks about beginning to play music and his introduction to Bluegrass music. He talks about his work in recording, both his own music as well as his work documenting traditional and old time music. He talks specifically about the album "American Banjo Scruggs Style," The Country Gentlemen, "Mountain Music Bluegrass Style," and many live performances. He talks about playing with the New Lost City Ramblers, the Strange Creek Singers, and various other musicians throughout his career. He discusses at length the elements that have impacted Bluegrass music. He also discusses influential musicians and documentarians, including Ralph Rinzler, Carter Stanley, Maybelle Carter, Bill Monroe, and Flatt and Scruggs.

Interview Keyword

African American musicians American Banjo - Tunes and Songs in Scruggs Style (Album) Bill Monroe (Artist) Flatt and Scruggs (Artist) Music--African American influences. Music--African influences. Music--European influences. New Lost City Ramblers (Artist) Old time music Ralph Rinzler (Artist) Smithsonian Folkways Strange Creek Singers (Artist) The Country Gentlemen (Artist) Traditional music

Interview LC Subject

Bands (Music) Bluegrass music. Bluegrass musicians Country music. Folk music. Folk songs. Musical groups. Musical instruments. Musical performance Musicians Music--Performance. Old-time music. Sound recordings. Sound studios Sound--Recording and reproducing

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.