This post looks at a remarkable series of recordings and photos of Doug Quattlebaum, a South Carolina blues guitarist and singer who found his way to Philadelphia and got a day job driving a Mister Softee ice cream truck. He would park the truck and open for business, plug his guitar into the truck’s sound system, and play the blues until a large crowd had gathered. Then he’d sell them ice cream! In this post, you’ll see photos of Quattlebaum in action, read his story, and follow links to his music. Quattlebaum was recorded by leading blues and Jazz journalist and record producer Pete Welding, whose collection was compiled throughout the 1960s and 1970s and came to the American Folklife Center after his death. The collection includes recordings of interviews and music with many musical greats, as well as hundreds of great photos.
The American Folklife Center (AFC) has published a new research guide, highlighting collections materials related to shape-note singing and Sacred Harp traditions in the United States. Read this post by Deena R. Owens, the guide's creator and a former AFC intern, to learn more about the research guide, the shape-note singing tradition, and Owens' experiences with this musical culture.
“In the case of American Negroes, their labor founded the nation and was prime cause of the industrial revolution and the capitalist system of the modern world: their slavery, revolt, escape, protest and emancipation is a central thread of our history: and without their music and laughter American art and literature would never have attained …
