Romancing the Folk

“A fascinating history of the shifting notions of what constitutes American folk music. . . . The folklorists, academics, bureaucrats and entrepreneurs who dominate [this] story are colorful characters, and they are joined by artists who inspire Filene to critical heights few historians approach.” — New York Times Book Review

“Benjamin Filene’s fascinating study of the emergence of the idea of an American 'roots music,' and the canonization of its iconic performers, is a lively and engaging contribution to this literature. . . . Appalachian scholars will enjoy discussions that range from the pioneering ballad collecting of Francis James Child and Cecil Sharp to the recent role of Archie Green in the creation of the Smithsonian’s American Folklife Center and the NEH’s Folk Arts Program.” — Journal of Appalachian Studies

“Filene’s book is smart and careful and should gain a wide audience.”—Journal of American History

“A learned and lively look at the development of our national music. Much of the territory covered here is overlooked in books on folk music.” — Library Journal

“An engaging analysis of the varied interpretations of roots or vernacular music in the 20th century.” — CHOICE

“An important work that accurately places the idea of 'folk' and 'roots' music into a realistic context. While copiously documented and thoroughly researched, this is no stuffy academic tract. Rather, Filene’s engaging style makes this a book that will be eagerly devoured by anyone with an interest in the development of American popular music.” — Creative Loafing

“Romancing the Folk explores a cultural phenomenon — the discovery of the idea of an American folk music tradition and of the consequent attempts to redefine and canonize those musicians who seemed to best represent it — that heretofore has been described in only bits and pieces. Filene is the first scholar who has discussed the whole broad field of American folk music from such a perspective. He argues convincingly, with a clear and direct writing style, that folk music has never come to us in an unmediated form.” — Bill Malone, author of Singing Cowboys and Musical Mountaineers: Southern Culture and the Roots of Country Music