BBC Radio 4 Black Roots Grammy-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens explores the history of African American roots music through the stories of forgotten black pioneers.

Sunday 31/07/22 2022 13.30-14.00 1/3 Frank Johnson, Joe Thompson and the fiddle in North Carolina.

In this episode, 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 USA. 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.

Sunday 7 August 2022 13.30-14.00 2/3 Arnold Shultz, the banjo and bluegrass music in Kentucky.

Sunday 14 August 2022 13.30-14.00 3/3 DeFord Bailey, the harmonica and country music in Nashville