Who gets to play the banjo in America?

By Anisa Khalifa,

Published September 11, 2025 at 5:30 AM EDT

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This episode is part of a collaboration between WUNC-North Carolina Public Radio and WPLN-Nashville Public Radio.

Bonus episode: Who gets to play country music in America?

This past spring, Durham, North Carolina hosted a sprawling roots music festival called Biscuits and Banjos. For the thousands of attendees, it had some similarities to a lot of folk music events around the country. But one major thing set it apart. Nearly every featured performer was Black.

The Black string band New Dangerfield performs with guests Brandi Waller-Pace and Demeanor. They opened for the Carolina Chocolate Drops reunion show at Biscuits & Banjos Festival.

The event is just one part of a Black folk music revival sweeping the country that's rescuing lost traditions and challenging stereotypes that for generations have influenced things like who gets to play the banjo in America.

Listen to the This Is Nashville special

At the Biscuits & Banjos Festival, artists Rissi Palmer and Miko Marks connect with Nashville Public Radio senior music writer Jewly Hight. Marks traveled from the Bay Area so as not to miss out on the biggest Black roots music festival to date.

Featuring:

Jewly Hight, senior music writer at Nashville Public Radio - WPLN
Rhiannon Giddens, musician and member of Carolina Chocolate Drops
Dom Flemons, musician and member of Carolina Chocolate Drops
Brandi Waller-Pace, musician and scholar
Kaia Kater, musician and member of New Dangerfield
Rissi Palmer, musician
Amanda Marie Martinez, assistant professor of American Studies at UNC-Chapel Hill