Bluegrass and religion / Pete Ward.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ward, Peter, author.

Contributor:

Bloomsbury (Firm), publisher.

Series:

Bloomsbury studies in religion and popular music.

Bloomsbury studies in religion and popular music

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bluegrass music--Religious aspects.

Bluegrass music.

Bluegrass music--Great Britain--Religious aspects.

Old-time music--Religious aspects.

Old-time music.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (256 pages) : illustrations.

Edition:

1st edition.

Place of Publication:

London : Bloomsbury Academic, 2025.

Summary:

Tracking songs that first arose from a close relationship to the conservative religion of the American South, this book explores the ways in which they have taken on new meanings in a post-religious environment. Divided into two parts, Pete Ward first gives a historical account of the relationship between Old Time and Bluegrass Music and Religion. These chapters trace the shifting nature of religious life in America and explore how Bluegrass Music interweaves and is changed over the last 100 years. Selected interviews with musicians provide fresh insight into the religious practices and intentions of key performers. Drawing on archival research, the book connects findings to research in the area of the Great Awakening, Appalachian Religion and the development of evangelicalism into the 20th Century. The second part of the book is based on ethnographic field work, from both the US and the UK, including textual analysis of songs and participant observation of concerts and interviews with performers. The differences of context between the US and the UK are considered as they relate to issues of post Christian sensibilities and non-religion. A particular focus is how what were specifically Christian songs become relocated in post Christian environment. Peter Ward explores how Bluegrass raises a number of troubling political issues, and what it means for the changing nature of the sacred and notions of non-religion. A key issue discussed is the continued significance of this music and why 'roots' or 'nostalgia' play a role and indeed how and why this might be the case in the UK as well as in the US.

Contents:

Introduction

Part 1: Tracing the Religious Dimensions of Bluegrass and Old Time Music

1. Down in the Holler: Bluegrass Roots

2. When Bluegrass Gets its Name:

Bill Monroe, Stanley Brothers and beyond

3. We've Drifted too Far from the Shore: Bluegrass, Rock and the Folk Revival

4. The Soggy Bottom Effect:

'Oh Brother Where Art Thou?'

5. The Persistence of Religion: Gillian Welch, Ricky Skaggs, and Alison Krauss

Part 2: A Religious Ethnography of Bluegrass and Old Time Performers, Pickers and Worshippers

6. The Gospel According to Bluegrass: Exploring the religious themes in Jam Session Standards

7. Religion and

Bluegrass Performers

8. Pickers in the US and the Religious dimensions of Bluegrass Jams

9. Pickers in the UK and the Religious dimensions of Bluegrass Jams

10. I went down to the river to pray: The use of Bluegrass and Old Time in Modern Christian worship

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-350-17571-4

1-350-17570-6

1-350-17569-2

OCLC:

1520505505