Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
History
Date of Award
12-2015
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Dr. Elwood Watson
Committee Members
Dr. Dinah Mayo-Bobbee, Dr. Darlyl A. Carter
Abstract
Folk music is one of the most popular forms of music today; artists such as Mumford and Sons and the Carolina Chocolate Drops are giving new life to an age-old music. It was not until the 1950s that new popular interest in folk music began. Earlier, folk music was used by leftist organizations as a means to reach the masses. It assumed because of this history that many folk artists are sympathetic to the Left. By looking at the years from 1905-1975 with the end of the Vietnam War, this study hopes to present the notion that even though these artists produced music that promoted leftist ideals, they were not always supportive of the Communist Party and other leftist organizations. Specific artists will be examined, paying close attention to artists who not only produced revolutionary music, but who were also employed by leftist organizations to perform at rallies and meetings.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Kerley, Sarah C., "If I Had a Hammer: American Folk Music and the Radical Left" (2015). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2614. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2614
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.