Culture of the Southern United States

The World’s Mary Kay Magistad profiles a Mongolian musician who is bringing new sounds to Shanghai by playing the mandolin with American bluegrass players.

Banjo pioneer Earl Scruggs died this week. He took the instrument to dizzying technical heights for the bluegrass genre. And he influenced a new generation of banjo players […]

At 91 years of age, Kitty Wells is the oldest living member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. And she can still surprise unsuspecting listeners. Despite her demure gingham dresses and sweet plaintive melodies, Wells was a radical.

The World’s Alex Gallafent profiles South Carolina guitarist Clay Ross who fuses Brazilian rhythms with American Jazz beats.

They call themselves “rednecks,” but these three crusaders use sophisticated tactics to successfully battle polluters in the deep South. The group, called WildLaw, is racking up an impressive record, winning law suits and protecting bio-diversity in what they describe as a “good old boy” style. Samuel Hendren reports.