Broadcast: November 16, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
(Note: In the event that regular programming is offline Sunday 11/16/25 during the studio's relocation, you can listen to the episode below).
Listen to this episode: Click here.
This past spring, Durham, N.C., hosted a sprawling roots music festival called Biscuits & Banjos. For the thousands of attendees, it had some similarities to a lot of folk music events around the country. But one major thing set it apart: Nearly every featured performer was Black.
The event is just one part of a Black folk music revival sweeping the country that’s rescuing lost traditions and challenging stereotypes that for generations have influenced things like who gets to play the banjo in America. The festival included the reunion of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and its lineup gathered Black folk musicians who inspired the Chocolate Drops, and many more who were inspired by them.
This episode is part of a collaboration between WUNC North Carolina Public Radio and WPLN Nashville Public Radio.