BRISTOL, Tenn.-Va.. (May 28, 2024) – Join us at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum on Tuesday, June 11, at 7:00 p.m. ET for our monthly Speaker Sessions featuring acclaimed musician Andrew Finn Magill. In his presentation, “The Relationship between Irish, Scottish, and American Fiddle Styles: An Immigration Story,” Magill will delve into the interconnectedness of traditional dance music in the southern United States with the musical traditions of Scotland and Ireland. Monthly Speaker Sessions are free and open to the public.
“Magill is a Fulbright fellow and highly-acclaimed musician who has performed with many well-known roots acts including Rising Appalachia, John Doyle, and Trio Brasileiro,” said museum Head Curator Dr. Rene Rodgers. “This is a wonderful opportunity to meet Magill, enjoy his wonderful playing, and learn more about the history of fiddle music in our region from someone who has studied the subject for more than two decades.”
Born into an Irish-American family in the Appalachian mountains, Magill has been steeped in the rich traditions of Irish fiddling from a young age. This interactive session will explore the historical impact of Scottish and Irish immigration on the development of southern fiddling. Magill will demonstrate various fiddle styles, bowing techniques, and repertoires, engaging the audience in a participatory performance that invites questions and encourages discussions on immigration, identity, and the cultural tapestry of Southern music.
For those unable to attend in person, the event will be lives-streamed on WBCM Radio Bristol’s YouTube channel starting at 6:50 p.m. ET. If the livestream does not appear automatically, please refresh the page after 6:50 p.m.
For more information about this Speaker Session and more upcoming museum events, visit the Events page at BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org.