Mike Seeger

Mike Seeger:- Musician Mike Seeger has died at age 75. He was a leading figure in the 20th century resurgence of American traditional music and a noted field collector of rural southern music. He recorded hundreds of musicians in their homes and local performing venues.

Mike Seeger was born on August 15, 1933 in New York, was an American folk musician and folklorist, passed away comfortably at home the evening of August 7th, 2009, after stoppinf cancer treatment. In 1958, he co-founded the New Lost City Ramblers. The string band was a crucial force in a revival of interest in traditional southern music.

Mike Seeger played a critical role in promoting true American Folk Music. His group the New Lost City Ramblers played many of the old songs from Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music, and I recall Mike re-discovered a couple of the old performers who had originally recorded back in the 1920's. Mike and his group played true folk - not the commercialized pop folk pap that diluted folk music in the 60's.

In addition to his work with the Ramblers, Seeger pursued an active solo performing career around the world. He collected and documented music and dance, appeared at countless educational events and produced teaching videos on numerous instruments and styles.
Mike Seeger produced dozens of albums solo, with the New Lost City Ramblers, and with a broad array of other musicians. One album, titled Close to Home, features performances culled from his massive collection of field recordings