Adirondack Folk Music – Keeping the Tradition Alive

Adirondack Folk Music is a type of music that is unique to the Adirondack region of New York. It is a blend of many different genres, including country, bluegrass, and folk.

Introduction

Adirondack folk music is a genre of music that is unique to the Adirondack region of New York State. It is a style of music that is influenced by the Irish, Scottish, and English immigrants who settled in the region in the early 19th century. The music is characterized by its use of traditional instruments such as the fiddle, accordion, and banjo. It also includes elements of country, blues, and rock & roll.

Adirondack folk music has undergone a resurgence in popularity in recent years. This is due in part to the efforts of organizations such as the Adirondack Folk Music Society, which was founded in 1993. The organization works to promote the genre by holding concerts and festivals, and by providing support to musicians who wish to perform or record Adirondack folk music.

Despite its growing popularity, Adirondack folk music is still relatively unknown outside of the region where it originated. This article will provide an overview of the history and characteristics of this unique style of music.

The Birth of Adirondack Folk Music

Adirondack folk music is a style of music that developed in the Adirondack Mountains of New York state. It is a blend of Scottish, Irish, English, and Dutch musical traditions, and is closely related to other styles of music from the Northeast United States, such as New England contra dance music and Maritime music. The Adirondack Mountains are a popular tourist destination, and the music of the Adirondacks has been influenced by the many visitors who have come to the area.

The Early Days

The early days of Adirondack folk music were shaped by the region’s lumber and farming industries. Songs were often about the hard work of everyday life, and they were sung in a style that was unique to the Adirondacks. This style was a mixture of Scottish, Irish, and English influences, and it featured heavy use of harmony and countermelodies.

One of the most important figures in the development of Adirondack folk music was photographer and folklorist Carl Carmer. In the 1920s, Carmer began collecting songs from lumber camps, farms, and small towns in the Adirondacks. He then published several books of folk songs, which helped to spread the Adirondack sound to other parts of the country.

Today, there are many folk musicians who are keeping the Adirondack tradition alive. They perform at festivals and concerts, and they also teach classes on Adirondack folk music.

The First Adirondack Folk Music Festival

The Birth of Adirondack Folk Music

The first Adirondack Folk Music Festival was held in 1978 in Lake Placid, New York. The event was organized by a group of local musicians and music lovers who wanted to showcase the traditional music of the Adirondack region.

Over the years, the festival has grown and now features a wide variety of folk musicians from all over the country. The focus is still on the traditional music of the Adirondacks, but the festival has become a celebration of all American folk music.

The Adirondack Folk Music Festival is held every year on the first weekend in August. The event takes place at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts and features concerts, workshops, and jam sessions.

The Evolution of Adirondack Folk Music

The Adirondack region of New York is well known for its rich history of folk music. The music has its roots in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the region was first settled by European immigrants. The music has evolved over the years, but the Adirondack folk music tradition is still very much alive today.

The 1960s and 1970s

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Adirondack region saw a revival in interest in its folk music traditions. This was in part due to the work of musicologist and Adirondack resident Marjorie Lansing Porter, who helped to document and preserve the region’s musical heritage. Porter’s work led to a renewed interest in traditional Adirondack music, and she helped to organize several folk music festivals in the region. These festivals showcased the talents of Adirondack musicians and helped to keep the tradition alive.

The 1980s and 1990s

The 1980s brought a renewed interest in folk music, and Adirondack musicians were at the forefront of the revival. In 1981, the first Old Songs Festival was held in Albany, New York. The festival featured traditional music and dance from all over the world, but Adirondack musicians were particularly well represented.

The 1990s saw the rise of a new generation of Adirondack folk musicians. Many young people were drawn to the traditional music of the region, and they began to play it in their own unique style. This new wave of Adirondack folk musicians has kept the tradition alive and well into the 21st century.

The Resurgence of Adirondack Folk Music

Adirondack folk music has been on the decline since the 1950s. However, there has been a recent resurgence in the popularity of folk music from the Adirondacks. This resurgence is due in part to the work of folk musicians such as Pete Seeger, who has helped to keep the tradition alive.

The New Millennium

The new millennium has seen a resurgence in Adirondack folk music. The music is being kept alive by a new generation of musicians who are committed to preserving the tradition. These musicians are bringing the music to new audiences, and they are making sure that the music stays true to its roots.

Adirondack folk music is rooted in the traditions of the people who have lived in the Adirondack Mountains for generations. The music is a reflection of the hard work and simple lifestyle of the people who call the Adirondacks home. It is also a reflection of the beauty of the Adirondack landscape.

The resurgence of Adirondack folk music is a testament to the power of tradition. The new generation of musicians is keeping the music alive, and they are ensuring that it will be passed down to future generations.

The Adirondack Folk Music Society

The Adirondack Folk Music Society (AFMS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to keeping the folk music tradition alive in the Adirondack region of New York State. The Society was founded in 1980 by a group of music lovers who wanted to preserve and promote the region’s musical heritage.

The AFMS sponsors a monthly concert series, which features both traditional and contemporary folk musicians from the Adirondack region and beyond. The concerts are held at the Crandall Public Library in Glens Falls, New York. In addition to the concert series, the AFMS also hosts an annual festival, the Adirondack Folk Festival, which takes place in September.

The Festival features a wide variety of folk musicians from all over the world, as well as workshops and discussions on various aspects of folk music. The Adirondack Folk Music Society is open to everyone who loves folk music, whether you’re a musician or just a music lover. For more information about the Society and its activities, please visit their website at www.adirondackfolkmusicsociety.org.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Adirondack folk music is a genre that is rich in history and tradition. Today, there are many ways to keep the music alive, whether it’s through attending concerts and festivals, participating in jam sessions, or simply listening to recordings. By keeping the tradition alive, we can ensure that the music of the Adirondacks will be enjoyed for generations to come.