Mike Seeger Research Guide: Documenting Old-Time Music

Along with the goal of the New Lost City Ramblers to preserve old-time music, Mike Seeger’s solo career as a performer, collector, and folklorist generated compelling materials that documented the cultural significance of American old-time music. Mike began making field recordings as early as 1955 and worked closely with Moe Asch of Folkways Records to produce LPs. His recordings chronicled live performances and interviews of the sounds and people of southern Appalachia. This effort from Mike led to the public recognition of Elizabeth Cotten. Cotten worked as a housekeeper for the Seeger family starting in 1945. These tapes captured Cotten's unique finger-picking style and would ultimately become the tracks for her Folkways records. Cotten started her career as a performer in her seventies and is best known for her composition of “Freight Train.” Mike’s field recordings contributed to revitalizing the careers of the esteemed Dock Boggs, Eck Roberston, and Roscoe Holcomb. Mike documented many other musical artists, creating a repertoire that continues to demonstrate the value of traditional, old-time, folk, bluegrass, and country music influences. 

During the 1970s, Mike turned to academia to teach the public about American old-time music. Inspired by his folklorist acquaintances, Mike taught lessons to university students. On top of this, he continued working with Folkways Records and the Library of Congress to release documentaries, tutorials, and workshops surrounding the music and culture of southern Appalachia. Mike remained deeply involved with old-time music throughout the rest of his career. He was on the leading committees for both the Newport and Smithsonian Folk Festivals, worked for the Southern Folk Cultural Revival Project, and was an active fellowship receiver from the National Endowment for the Arts to support his research.