CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

1  THE FIRST TIME AMERICA HEARD HERSELF

2  I’LL GET A BREAK SOMEDAY: WILL SHADE AND THE MEMPHIS JUG BAND

3  IN THE SHADOW OF CLINCH MOUNTAIN: THE CARTER FAMILY

4  MY HEART KEEPS SINGING: ELDER J. E. BURCH

5  GONNA DIE WITH MY HAMMER IN MY HAND: DICK JUSTICE AND THE WILLIAMSON BROTHERS

6  DOWN THE DIRT ROAD: CHARLEY PATTON AND THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA BLUES

7  CHANT OF THE SNAKE DANCE: THE HOPI INDIAN CHANTERS

8  BIRD OF PARADISE: JOSEPH KEKUKU

9  MAL HOMBRE: LYDIA MENDOZA

10  ALLONS À LAFAYETTE: THE BREAUX FAMILY

11  AVALON BLUES: MISSISSIPPI JOHN HURT

12  THE AMERICAN EPIC SESSIONS

TRAVEL AND THE CREW

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SOURCES

PHOTO CREDITS