Frank Johnson, Joe Thompson and the fiddle in North Carolina
Rhiannon Giddens uncovers the history of African American roots music.
Acclaimed musician Rhiannon Giddens returns to her home state of North Carolina to explore the lives of two black fiddlers: Joe Thompson and Frank Johnson. Johnson was one of the first black celebrities in the Southern states of the US. Born into slavery, he bought freedom for himself and his family on the back of his profits as a musician. More than 2,000 people processed through Wilmington, North Carolina for his funeral in 1871. Though he died before the start of the recording industry, his music was passed down through generations of black fiddlers in the region. The last of these fiddlers was Joe Thompson, who taught Rhiannon countless songs.
Featuring Iris Thompson Chapman, Phil Jamison, John Jeremiah Sullivan and Dr. Lewin Manly.
Presenter: Rhiannon Giddens
Producer: Tom Woolfenden
A Loftus production for BBC World Service
(Photo: Musician Rhiannon Giddens. Credit: Ebru Yildiz)
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