Appalachian Folk

Appalachian Folk music is the traditional music of the region of Appalachia in the Eastern United States. It is derived from various European and African influences, including English hymns, Irish and Scottish traditional music (especially fiddle music), and African-American blues. First recorded in the 1920s, Appalachian musicians were a key influence on the early development of Old-time music, country music, and bluegrass, and were an important part of the American folk music revival of the 1960s. Instruments typically used to perform Appalachian music include the banjo, fiddle, Appalachian dulcimer, and guitar.

Appalachian music accounts for at least part of the Bristol sessions, which were the earliest recordings of what was first called "hillbilly music", and later country music. The Carter Family and Blind Alfred Reed, who recorded at Bristol, performed Appalachian music. Artists such as Bruce Springsteen have performed versions of Appalachian songs, though they are sometimes updated or rewritten.