Dom Flemons, American Songster: Music Isn't Just a Musical Experience (S2 E29)
Today's guest, Dom Flemons, co-founded the Carolina Chocolate Drops in 2005, and on their third studio album, Genuine Negro Jig they won the 2010 Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album. His 2018 album, Black Cowboys, recorded on the Smithsonian Folkways label, was nominated for a 2019 Grammy in the same category, and he has been nominated for two Emmys. Most recently he was awarded the prestigious 2020 United States Artist Fellowship and his 2014 album , Prospect Hill with Omnibus Records, has been re-issued.
He has adopted the moniker "American Songster," and this was not him just claiming a title that sounded cool. Nope, its earned. not only by way of the awards and high-praise he has received for his contributions to 20+ album collaborations, along with his seven solo albums, but also because he puts in the work researching what he plays.
We learn so much from Don in this episode, not the least being that he has let his interest in his heritage and the music he has identified with over the years pull him into some very fruitful rabbit holes. So yes, he's a historian, but he's also allowed his ongoing education about cultures in which he's identified, as well as about the music, it's origins stories and about the instruments used to create such music. And of course, he's become a master on many of those instruments over the years. Check of the links below to learn more about Dom Flemons, but in the mean time, settle in for some string grabbing and kite flying with Dom Flemons.
Dom's website - https://theamericansongster.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DomFlemonsMusic/
Instagram - @domflemons
To purchase tickets at the June 10, 2022, Wexler Group Trail Mix Concert Series (the series founded by Steve) featuring Don Flemons https://www.trailmixmusic.org/
Kites and Strings Website: https://www.kitesandstrings.com/
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email: Kitesandstringspodcast@gmail.com
Kites and String's is produced and edited by Steve Ploum at Turning Stones Counseling, Inc.
Our theme music is by Harrison Amer, and all other original music by purple planet music at https://www.purple-planet.com. Our logo-design is by Cole Monroe at Blue Stag Creative.