Each year for the past 89, Galax, Va., has hosted what it proclaims is the world's oldest and largest fiddler's convention. People come from all around to keep alive a rich American musical tradition.

GALAX, Va. — Ellie Massey, 13, stands inside a giant, yellow tent with dozens of other contestants and practices singing the gospel tune, "I'll Fly Away." Her grandfather, Jim Coleman, and uncle, ...

Residents of Lexington, newcomes and old-timers alike, make music together at the Old North Bar. (Photo by Anabel Peterman) This is your first of three free stories this month. Become a free or ...

Old Crow Medicine Show started busking on street corners from New York state to Canada in 1998, attracting fans through its rich harmonies within its version of traditional folk, bluegrass and ...

In March of 2025, at the annual Big Ears Music Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee, I was one of hundreds of festival-goers entranced by a group of up-and-coming musicians exploring a storied American ...

This Friday and Saturday, Raleigh Wide Open is taking over the streets of our state's capital. The festival is a celebration of American roots music ranging from gospel to folk and also features arts, ...

Riley Baugus, a Walkertown native, grew up listening to blues and classic country musicians. At the age of 10, he started playing music and learned how to play the fiddle, banjo and guitar. Later, he ...

Editor's note: This is one story in a series previewing performers and others to be featured in the free National Folk Festival, which runs July 10-12 in Uptown Butte. Traditional tunes can have ...

HUNTINGTON — With live, music-fueled square dances now popular again around the country with young people and folks of all ages, the Huntington Old-Time Dance and Music organization is about to ...

This weekend, the mountains of southwestern Virginia are filled with the sweet, cacophonous sound of fiddles. (SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) MA: It is the Old Fiddler's Convention, which draws hundreds of ...