What Dreamers Do
Hi, I’m Carla Gover, an Appalachian musician, flatfoot dancer, mama, and DREAMER from Kentucky. I'm on a mission to share fierce love, good humor, and inspiration to help you live a life of creative freedom. I decided to start the What Dreamers Do Podcast to help answer the question: How can we use our gifts and talents to build a better world, and have fun along the way? You’ll also find musings about Appalachia as well as interesting conversations with songwriters, poets, dancers, educators, world-changers, social justice warriors, and other people like you who are working to make a difference using their art, their skills, or just the way they live their lives. On every episode, you’ll hear ideas, conversations, and actionable items to help you unlock your creativity and live your purpose. Grab a mason jar full of sweet tea (or something a little stronger) and pull up a chair, cause it’s time to get YOUR dream on!
What Dreamers Do
Women in Kentucky Music History: An interview with John Harrod
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In this episode, Carla Gover is joined by traditional Kentucky music legend and archivist John Harrod to discuss the vital role of women in traditional Kentucky music. Through stories, life experiences, and shared memories, they explore the often-overlooked impact of female musicians in the state and the ways community and place shape traditional music. John Harrod highlights influential women musicians he has known, and discusses the importance of preserving and elevating marginalized voices in the Kentucky music scene.
Topics Covered
- The importance of preserving traditional music and marginalized voices
- Stories and legacies of Kentucky’s women musicians, including Lella Todd, Effie Pearson, Blanche Collier, Emma Lee Dickerson, and others
- The evolution of women’s participation and leadership in traditional music spaces
- Reflections on music, community, local connection, and the joy that shared music brings
Book Listings & Links
- Finding Her Voice: The Saga of Women in Country Music
Authors: Mary A. Bufwack & Robert K. Oermann
Purchase on Amazon
This book provides a comprehensive history of women in country and traditional music, including many profiles relevant to the topics discussed.
- Clawhammer Banjo Tradition Bearers
Author: Maggie Lind
Find her on IG: @banjomaggie
Additional Resources
- Berea College Sound and Video Archives: Browse the archive
- Cowan Creek Mountain Music School: Learn more
- Appalshop Archives: Explore videos and documentation
Notable Musicians Discussed
- Lella Todd
- Effie Pearson
- Blanche Collier
- Emma Lee Dickerson
- Lily Mae Ledford
- Jean Ritchie
- Cousin Emmy
- Martha Carson (The Amburgey Sisters)
- Molly O’Day
- Dora Mae Wagers
- Lois Short
For more information on these musicians, check the Berea College Traditional Music Archive and the Appalshop archive above.
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