“Deep Roots, Many Voices” is a project by the Blue Ridge Music Center exploring diversity and inclusion in roots-based music. In these videos, we pair two musicians in each episode to talk about issues related to race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation; how these issues have been part of their personal stories; and the importance of celebrating diversity in the music world. These discussions highlight contributions to American roots-based music from the many voices that make up our nation, and give us hope for a rich and diverse musical future.
The Bluegrass Situation is proud to feature this interview with Earl White & Tray Wellington. White is a dancer and an old-time fiddler. He was an original member of The Green Grass Cloggers. He and his family live on a farm near Floyd, Virginia, where they host music camps and workshops, and operate a bakery. He plays the fiddle with the Earl White String Band. Wellington is a bluegrass banjo player from Ashe County, North Carolina. As a teenager he played with Cane Mill Road, and has gone on to form the Tray Wellington Band. Tray recently moved to Raleigh to join the Pinecone organization as their Communications Manager.
To learn more about future “Deep Roots, Many Voices” interviews, our “Deep Roots, Many Voices” symposium and other Blue Ridge Music Center news, sign up for the Blue Ridge Music Center’s email newsletter at BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org. These discussions are moderated by Blue Ridge Music Center Associate Program Director Marianne Kovatch.
