Dr. Charles K. Wolfe passed away on February 9 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. A music scholar, expert on American popular music and one of the most
important and prolific writers of our time, his works embodied hundreds of
articles and over fifteen books including
A Good-Natured Riot – The Birth of the
Grand Ole Opry,
Tennessee Strings,
Kentucky Country, and biographies on
Deford Bailey, Grandpa Jones,
Mahalia Jackson and
The Life and Legend of Leadbelly. He reportedly was wrapping
up a work on Bill
Monroe.
Originally from Missouri, Dr. Wolfe retired last year after 35 years
with Middle Tennessee State University where he taught courses in English,
folklore and popular culture.
He was a valued member of the IBMA Board of Directors in the mid-1990s and the
recipient of the organization’s
Distinguished Achievement Award in 1990.
[Reprinted from International Bluegrass, with permission from IBMA. Photo
courtesy of MTSU].
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central
