Martin, Bogan and Armstrong | The Legacy of the Old-Time Black String Bands

From their beginnings in Knoxville Tennessee playing on street corners in the late 1920's through their resurgence on the festival circuit in the 70's and 80's, Martin, Bogan, and Armsrtong carried the torch of the old-time Black string band tradition . Their vast repertoire included swing, blues, show tunes, tin pan alley favorites, and any genre that would get their audience tapping their feet. With relentless energy, these consummate entertainers helped keep alive a string band tradition reaching back to the beginnings of African American musical history.

R. Crumb's Sweet Shellac podcast on black string bands of the 20's and 30's:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JB-Nf-x1zM&t=1043s

Allison Williams and Elizabeth Scott - Old time banjo and Music History.

This page has great resources on old-time black string bands

https://folklife.uark.edu/apprenticeships/williamsscott26/

The African-American String Music Tradition - Afro pop interview with Howard Armstrong:

https://www.afropop.org/audio-programs/the-african-american-string-music-tradition-2?curator=MusicREDEF

Howard Armstrong PBS POV documentary "Sweet Old Song" available for purchase on film maker Leah Mahan's website:

https://www.leahmahan.com/films/sweet-old-song/