Uncovering Golden Tunes: Sidney Robertson's Role in the WPA California Folk Music Project as Explored by Catherine Hiebert Kerst
In a groundbreaking exploration of California's musical heritage during the 1930s, "California Gold" published by the University of California Press, sheds light on a diverse cross-section of the Golden State's culture during the New Deal era. The book, penned by cultural researcher and folklorist Catherine Hiebert Kerst, delves into the career of Sidney Robertson, a folk music collector who redefined the art of fieldwork.
Robertson, an intrepid woman armed with a map, notebooks, and recording equipment, spearheaded the WPA California Folk Music Project. This initiative set out to document musical traditions across a wide array of English-speaking and immigrant communities in Northern California. Kerst carefully examines Robertson's pioneering approach to fieldwork and the numerous ethnographic documents she generated with WPA project staff.
"California Gold" introduces notable songs, images, and ephemera from the collection, providing a valuable insight into the diverse musical traditions performed by immigrant communities during the New Deal era. The book also foregrounds Robertson's significant contribution to the field, an unsung hero in the world of folk music.
Anthony Seeger, Director Emeritus of Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, hails Kerst's book as a trailblazing work in presenting archival material and the motivations of those who recorded diverse American music in the 20th century.
Although Kerst's specific title, "California Gold," does not appear directly in the search results, her work likely delves into ethnographic methods used by figures like Robertson. Her focus on archival collections from the New Deal era and research on Danish American culture in the Midwest aligns closely with Robertson's work in documenting and preserving Northern California folk music.
Sidney Robertson's contributions to the field of folk music, as seen in the Library of Congress collection, "California Gold: Northern California Folk Music from the Thirties," showcase the vibrant cultural tapestry of the era. The collection preserves 35 hours of folk music in 12 languages and features 185 musicians, offering a rich ethnographic portrait of the region.
- Catherine Hiebert Kerst's book, "California Gold," issued by University of California Press, reveals Robertson's pioneering approach to fieldwork, which was instrumental in the WPA California Folk Music Project, a home-and-garden for numerous English-speaking and immigrant communities' musical traditions in Northern California.
- Kerst's work, while not explicitly mentioned as "California Gold" in search results, likely delves into ethnographic methods used by figures like Sidney Robertson, aligning closely with her focus on archival collections from the New Deal era and research on Danish American culture in the Midwest.
- The collection, "California Gold: Northern California Folk Music from the Thirties," housed in the Library of Congress, showcases Robertson's contributions to the field of folk music, preserving 35 hours of folk music in 12 languages and featuring 185 musicians, offering a valuable insight into the diverse musical traditions of the era.
- "California Gold" offers a wealth of notable songs, images, and ephemera from the collection, providing a significant contribution to understanding the folklore and lifestyle of various communities during the New Deal era, making it a valuable resource for entertainment, research, and home-and-garden enthusiasts alike.
