Minnesota’s Folk Music History: A Genealogy
Contents
This blog is dedicated to sharing Minnesota’s Folk Music History. You’ll find a wealth of information on the state’s folk music scene, including a genealogy of the state’s folk music scene.
The Emergence of Folk Music in Minnesota
In the early 1930s, two key events occurred that would shape Minnesota’s folk music history: the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. These events led to an influx of migrant workers from the Midwest and the South, many of whom were unemployed. The new arrivals brought with them a wealth of musical traditions, which would soon take root in the state.
By the 1830s, most of the land in what is now Minnesota had been ceded by Native Americans to the United States in a series of treaties. The federal government then sold this land to settlers, who were mostly farmers of German and Scandinavian descent. These immigrants brought with them their traditional folk music, which began to mix with the music of other cultures in the region, resulting in a unique form of folk music that came to be known as “Minnesota Folk Music.”
Initially, the majority of folk songs were about love and heartbreak, and were sung in a wistful, melancholy style. However, as time went on, Minnesota folk musicians began to experiment with different genres and styles, creating a more diverse body of work that reflected the changing times. In the early 20th century, for example, political and social unrest led to a new wave of protest songs about topics such as labor rights and civil rights. Later on, American troops stationed in Minnesota during World War II introduced swing and jazz elements to the state’s folk music scene.
Today, Minnesota is home to a vibrant folk music community that continues to experiment with new sounds and styles while honoring its traditional roots. If you’re interested in learning more about this unique form of music, there are plenty of resources available online and in local libraries.
The influence of African American slaves and freedmen
African American slaves and freedmen played an important role in the development of Minnesota’s folk music tradition. African American spirituals and work songs were brought to Minnesota by slaves who escaped from the southern United States. These songs were often sung while performing tasks such as chopping wood or washing clothes. They served as a way for slaves to communicate with each other and express their feelings about their situation.
After emancipation, many African Americans moved to Minnesota, where they continued to play a significant role in the state’s musical culture. African American musicians performed at country fairs, medicine shows, vaudeville theaters, and other venues. They also played an important role in the development of blues and jazz in the state.
The Growth of Folk Music in Minnesota
Folk music has always been a part of Minnesota’s musical history. The state has a rich tradition of folk music, with its own unique style and sound. Minnesota’s folk music has its roots in the state’s immigrant history. German and Scandinavian immigrants brought their own folk songs and instruments with them when they settled in Minnesota. These songs and instruments were soon adopted by other settlers, and the state’s folk music began to take on its own identity.
The rise of Minneapolis as a music city
With the release of Bob Dylan’s debut album in 1962, Minnesota became a hotbed for folk music. The state’s folk scene exploded in the 1960s, with the rise of singer-songwriters like Dylan, Judy Collins, and Gordon Lightfoot. The Minneapolis-based coffeehouse circuit became a breeding ground for aspiring musicians, and the city soon became known as a mecca for folk music.
By the early 1970s, Minnesota was home to a thriving folk music scene, with clubs like the 5th Avenue Coffeehouse and the Cedar Cultural Center showcasing local and national talent. The 1970s also saw the rise of new folk styles, like bluegrass and old-time music. In the 1980s and 1990s, folk music continued to grow in popularity, withMinnesota artists like Billy Bragg, Ani DiFranco, and John Gorka gaining national prominence.
Today, Minnesota is home to a vibrant folk music scene, with clubs like First Avenue and the Dakota Jazz Club showcasing local and national talent. The state is also home to a number of influential folk festivals, including the Duluth Superior Folk Festival and the Minneapolis Old-Time Music Gathering.
The influence of the Great Depression and World War II
The Great Depression and World War II were two of the most defining events of the twentieth century, and they had a profound impact on the development of folk music in Minnesota. The Depression was a time of great hardship for many Americans, and the music of that era reflected the economic struggle and social upheaval of the times. Songs like “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” and “I Ain’t Got No Home” captured the despair and frustration of the era. At the same time, government programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped to preserve and promote traditional folk music by sponsoring concerts and dance performances by popular folk groups like the New Lost City Ramblers.
The outbreak of World War II brought another wave of changes to American society, as millions of Americans left their homes to serve in the armed forces or work in defense industries. The war also led to an influx of refugees from Europe, many of whom came to Minnesota. This new wave of immigrants brought with them a rich cultural heritage, including a wide variety of folk music traditions. songs like “Lili Marlene” and “Dona Dona” became popular among both soldiers and civilians during the war years. After the war, many Folk musicians continued to perform and record their music, helping to preserve and promote Minnesota’s diverse cultural heritage.
The Resurgence of Folk Music in Minnesota
Folk music has been enjoying a renaissance in Minnesota in recent years. This is due in part to the work of Minnesota’s own Pete Seeger, who helped to revive interest in the genre in the 1960s. But Minnesota’s folk music history goes back much further than that. In fact, the state has a long and rich tradition of folk music that is still being enjoyed today.
The folk music revival of the 1960s
The folk music revival of the 1960s was a movement in the United States and several other countries to bring back traditional forms of folk music. Folk music includes both traditional music and the genre that evolved from it during the 20th century folk revival. The term originated in the 19th century but is often applied to music older than that. Some types of folk music are also called world music.
The traditional folk music of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales is particularly rich in ballads and dance tunes. It has been preserved and transmitted orally, through print and later through recordings. The term “folk music” was first used in England by William Chappell in his Popular Music of the Olden Time (1859). He defined it as “the vocal and instrumental popular music comprehensible to the broadest section of society”.
However, by the early 20th century, most oral traditions in England had died out, leaving only a few songs passed down through families or published in books such as The Oxford Book of English Folk Songs (1907). George Butterworth collected songs from Sussex peasants while Cecil Sharp focused on those from Somerset and Gloucestershire. These were just a few examples of what was happening throughout rural England at the time.
The influence of Bob Dylan
Though he was born in Duluth, Minnesota, Bob Dylan’s influence on the folk music scene cannot be understated. After making a name for himself in New York’s burgeoning folk scene in the early 1960s, Dylan returned to his roots and recorded his now-legendary album “Blood on the Tracks” in Minneapolis. The album, which is widely considered one of Dylan’s best, features several songs about Minnesota and helped reinvigorate interest in folk music among young people in the state.
The Legacy of Folk Music in Minnesota
Minnesota has a long and storied history when it comes to folk music. From the early pioneers who settled in the state to the more recent immigrants who have made Minnesota their home, the state has always had a rich tapestry of music to offer. This section will explore the history of Minnesota’s folk music, from its humble beginnings to its current place in the state’s musical landscape.
The influence of folk music on contemporary artists
Folk music has been a significant part of Minnesota’s musical landscape for over a century, with roots tracing back to the early settlers who brought their songs and instrumentation from Europe. In the years since, folk music has continued to evolve and shape itself to the ever-changing state of Minnesota itself. As the state has grown and diversified, so too has its folk music scene. Today, there are numerous folk festivals held throughout Minnesota each year, celebrating the legacy of this musical genre and its influence on contemporary artists.
One such contemporary artist is John Prine, who is widely considered to be one of the most influential songwriters of his generation. Prine was born and raised in Maywood, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. His parents were both musicians, and he began playing guitar and writing songs at a young age. In the early 1960s, Prine started performing in local clubs and coffeehouses around Chicago. It was during this time that he met Steve Goodman, another up-and-coming folk singer who would go on to have a major impact on Prine’s career.
The two became fast friends and began performing together whenever they could. They also started sharing their original songs with each other, which led to Goodman convincing Prine to move to New York City so they could pursue their music careers more seriously. In 1971, Prine released his self-titled debut album John Prine, which included Goodman’s “That’s the Way That the World Goes Round” as well as Prine’s own “Sam Stone” (a Vietnam War-themed song that would ultimately become one of his most well-known tunes).
While John Prine is certainly one of the most successful contemporary artists with ties to Minnesota’s folk music scene, he is by no means the only one. Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, Neil Young – all of these artists have been influenced by folk music in some way or another, and all have performed at Minneapolis’ famed First Avenue nightclub (made famous by Prince in his 1984 film Purple Rain). The influence of folk music can also be seen in more modern genres such as indie rock – bands like Vampire Weekend and Fleet Foxes both incorporate elements of Americana and traditional folk into their unique sound.
Whether you’re a fan of traditional ballads or contemporary anthems, there’s no denying that Folk Music has left a lasting legacy in Minnesota – a legacy that continues to influence artists across all musical genres to this day.
The preservation of folk music traditions in Minnesota
In the early twentieth century, as part of a larger project of cultural conservation, many folklorists and musicologists began to collect and archive folk songs from around the United States. These songs often times carried with them important cultural traditions and values that were in danger of being lost as older generations died out and new opportunities and ways of life presented themselves. In Minnesota, these collecting efforts were spearheaded by two men: George Pullen Jackson and Helvetia Palecek.
George Pullen Jackson was a musicologist who came to the University of Minnesota in 1904. He was interested in collecting folk songs from all over the United States, but he had a special focus on the songs of the American South. He believed that the songs of the South carried with them an important history and culture that needed to be preserved. In addition to his work at the university, Jackson also worked with the Minnesota Historical Society on several occasions to collect folk songs from around the state.
Helvetia Palecek was a librarian at the St. Paul Public Library who became interested in collecting folk songs after attending a lecture by George Pullen Jackson in 1910. She began collecting songs from her own family and friends and soon began working with Jackson to help expand his collection. Over the next few years, she would go on to collect hundreds of folk songs from all over Minnesota.
The work of Palecek and Jackson helped to preserve many important aspects of Minnesota’s cultural heritage for future generations. The songs they collected provide us with insight into the lives of ordinary people in Minnesota during the early twentieth century. They also give us a window into some of the most important traditions and values that have been passed down through Minnesota’s folklore over the years.
