Dwight Diller: West Virginia Mountain Musician

by Lewis M. Stern

Overview

Dwight Hamilton Diller is a musician from West Virginia devoted to traditional Appalachian fiddle and banjo music, and a seminary-trained minister steeped in local Christian traditions. For the past 40 years, he has worked to preserve archaic fiddle and banjo tunes, teaching his percussive, primitively rhythmic style to small groups in marathon banjo workshops. This book tells of Diller's life and music, his personal challenges and his decades of teaching an elusive musical form.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476664767
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	05/09/2016
Series:	Contributions to Southern Appalachian Studies , #39
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Clawhammer banjo player Lewis M. Stern has written about traditional musicians including Dwight Diller, Tommy Malbeouf, and Jim Scancarelli. He lives in Durham, North Carolina.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction 1

1 Early Life 15

2 Learning Music 35

3 Playing Music 58

4 Studying Religion 85

5 A Life of Teaching 102

Conclusion 128

Discography and Filmography 153

Chapter Notes 159

Bibliography 188

Interviewees 196

Index 201

Editorial Reviews

A wealth of information on country music’s commercial and grassroots aspects”—The Journal of Southern History; “an impressive biography...Lew has given us quite deep and interesting view of Dwight. The book is a commendable volume and well worth the read”—Banjo Newsletter; “this book is a ‘must’ for any student of Dwight’s camps or workshops, or, indeed, anyone who wishes to learn about this enigmatic character, his background and the context to his music, his teaching and his life by getting to know Dwight in a readable way...meticulously researched...the reader gets an excellent insight into Dwight’s background and influences... extremely well written”—Old Time News.

From the Publisher