Special: Reclaiming the banjo episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 12, 2025 · 49 MIN

Special: Reclaiming the banjo

from This Is Nashville · host WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio

This past spring, Durham, North Carolina, hosted a sprawling roots music festival called Biscuits and Banjos. For the thousands of attendees, it had some similarities to a lot of folk music events around the country. But one major thing set it apart: Nearly every featured performer was Black.The event is just one part of a Black folk music revival sweeping the country that's rescuing lost traditions and challenging stereotypes that for generations have influenced things like who gets to play the banjo in America.This episode is part of a collaboration between WUNC North Carolina Public Radio and WPLN Nashville Public Radio.Featuring: Jewly Hight, senior music writer at Nashville Public Radio - WPLN Rhiannon Giddens, musician and member of Carolina Chocolate Drops Dom Flemons, musician and member of Carolina Chocolate Drops Brandi Waller-Pace, musician and scholar Kaia Kater, musician and member of New Dangerfield

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Sep 12, 2025

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

Special: Reclaiming the banjo

0:00 49:54

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of This Is Nashville?

This episode is 49 minutes long.

When was this This Is Nashville episode published?

This episode was published on September 12, 2025.

Can I download this This Is Nashville episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!