Mike Seeger performs "Walking Boss" in the Smithsonian Folkways Studio

Please visit www.folkways.si.edu for an appreciation of Mike Seeger (1933-2009).
folkways.si.edu/explore_folkwa...
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For over fifty years, Mike Seeger has been a musician, documenter, and tireless advocate of American folk and traditional music. As a musician he recorded as a solo artist and member of folk revival ensemble the New Lost City Ramblers. As a collector he has captured and produced sounds by iconic artists such as Elizabeth Cotten and Dock Boggs. And finally, as a historian and preservationist of the music he calls "old time," Mike Seeger gives us the stories behind the music that is such an essential part of American culture. Here he performs and gives the history of "Walking Boss," a tune Thomas Clarence Ashley learned from African American railroad workers at the turn of the 19th century. To find more Mike Seeger recordings visit: www.folkways.si.edu/searchresu... Also visit Smithsonian Folkways at www.folkways.si.edu/index.aspx The content and comments posted here are subject to the Smithsonian Institution copyright and privacy policy (www.si.edu/copyright/). Smithsonian reserves the right in its sole discretion to remove any content at any time.

[@TS34675]

the more i listen the more i feel i was born in the wrong era.
I've heard a lot of "banjo music" but i absolutely love the way he plays regardless of the song.
it draws me in - like a grandfather telling an old story - i feel like i need to stop what I'm doing, sit cross legged on the floor and just listen. he's inspired me to start playing.
Thank you Mike. rip

[@lotuswight]

Mike, you inspired so many
We miss you so
Rest Deeply
in Peace

[@aaronmills7731]

Had the distinct pleasure of seeing Mike play in Humboldt County California. Very intimate venue. Just wonderful

[@tomspafford5368]

Greetings from 2024. Thank you for this outstanding performance, and accompanying background.

[@jeff30795]

A beautiful inspiration...A wonderful Spirit.

[@mikege2781]

Can't get enough of this.

[@suuzzee5]

Heaven will sound sweeter with you in it but we're sure gonna miss you here!

[@SharineONeill]

R.I.P. What a great musician he was!

[@guywolff]

I love Mike's version of this one . He's added some wonderful things of a Clarence Tom Ashley direction to this clip . He is informing Ashley's touch for us all . Thanks Mike . You gave us all so much . Guy

[@tedtidus4893]

I love this

[@1canyonguy]

Always amazing

[@Ottawarocket]

Thanks for sharing Suze..Mike will be sadly missed
Rocket

[@Wahatoyas]

I'm a year away from moving to Alaska to join a railroad company, I want to work a hardy job, see places and get tough stories for my future grandchildren 😂

[@surfcottage]

RIP Mike...... thank you fro sending this suzz

[@MsKilgoretrout]

Great stuff. Can't wait to add this to my list of tunes!

[@tomrf4967]

G- or A-modal (sometimes called sawmill tuning). GDGCD

[@DuneAquaViva]

A Fretless Nylon 5 String Short Neck..Great Instrument..

[@msouthern9763]

Mike was Pete Seeger's younger half-brother. They came from a very musical family. There's a brief summary biography of Mike on Wikipedia.

[@dogjones65]

Ashley learned the tune at the turn of the 20th century not the 19th, as it reads in the info section.

[@gorblimey61]

I just found out that Mike has passed on. Sad news.

[@damfino217]

Does anyone know anything about this banjo Mike is playing?

[@MrPennswoods]

does any one know what key this song is in?

[@richintalent]

was he related to Pete Seeger?

[@gabrieldavid3158]

half-brother I think

[@dupreeblues4744]

Dylan brought me here