Three Personalities that made Folk Music
Little is known about the history of folk music, specifically the American folk music history. Today, most people listen to pop, rock and ballad, and alternative music so it’s not surprising that folk music is often left in the background. As part of our aim to educate readers about folk music history, we have created a list of the key personalities who have contributed greatly to the history of folk music. Cecil Sharp and the Morris Men On the eve of December 26th 1899, Cecil Sharp, a music teacher from London, happened to be looking out the window when he saw eight men dressed in white (they called themselves the Headington Quarry Music Men), who suddenly started dancing when the concertina played a tune—Laudanum Bunches. When Sharp asked what they were doing, they explained that they often dance at Whitsuntide but needed to earn some money over Christmas so they decided to perform in front of some houses for a fee. This chance meeting with them made Sharp realize that he had a passion for folklore, which he pursued from [...]