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Episode details

World Service,16 Nov 2022,28 mins

Black Roots: DeFord Bailey and country music in Nashville

The Documentary Podcast

Available for over a year

Musician Rhiannon Giddens explores the home of country music in Nashville to see how black people shaped this genre. How black is Nashville and its music history? Rhiannon uncovers the story of one of the biggest stars of the early country era: the African American ‘Harmonica Wizard’ DeFord Bailey. He was one of the most beloved performers at the Grand Ole Opry and the first black star of the radio age.

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