Dom Flemons facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dom Flemons
Dom Flemons in September 2021, after a performance at The Barns at Wolf Trap
Background information
Birth name	Dominique Flemons
Born	(1982-08-30) August 30, 1982 (age 42) Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Genres	Old-time music, Piedmont blues, Neotraditionalist country
Occupation(s)	Multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter
Instruments	Banjo, bones, jug, quills, guitar, harmonica, drums, vocals
Years active	2000s–present
Labels	Various
Associated acts	Carolina Chocolate Drops

Dominique Flemons (born August 30, 1982) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He plays many instruments, including the banjo, fife, guitar, harmonica, and rhythm bones. He is known as "The American Songster" because he knows and performs music from almost a century of American history. This includes old folk songs, stories told through music, and classic tunes.

Dom Flemons was a member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops from 2005 to 2013. Since then, he has released several albums on his own. He loves to explore and create new music while still honoring old traditions. He once said that he wants to "experiment rather than to merely replicate" old music. This means he puts his own spin on classic songs.

His album, Black Cowboys (2018), was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Folk Album. It also received a nomination for a Blues Music Award in the 'Acoustic Album' group.

Dom Flemons' Life Story

Growing Up and Early Music

Dom Flemons was born in Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States. He has both African American and Mexican family roots. When he was in high school, he played percussion in the band. As a teenager, he also played guitar and harmonica in local coffee shops.

He learned a lot about music by listening to his parents' record collection. He also studied music by famous artists like Bob Dylan, the Beatles, and Chuck Berry. This led him to discover early American folk musicians such as Woody Guthrie. Dom often performed music on the streets and in different places around Arizona. He went to Northern Arizona University and even took part in national poetry competitions. While in college, he met Sule Greg Wilson, a musician and expert in folklore. Wilson helped Dom improve his playing and understand the history of blues and American folk music.

Playing with the Carolina Chocolate Drops

The Carolina Chocolate Drops is an old-time string band from North Carolina. Dom Flemons helped start the group in 2005. Their album, Genuine Negro Jig, won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album in 2010.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops performing in 2008. From left to right: Dom Flemons, jug; Rhiannon Giddens, 5-string banjo; Justin Robinson, fiddle

The band formed after its members attended the first Black Banjo Gathering. This was a special event for banjo players. While Dom was with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, they released five albums and one shorter album called an EP. They also performed for famous musicians like Taj Mahal and Bob Dylan. The group appeared on many radio and TV shows, including A Prairie Home Companion and Later... with Jools Holland. They also played several times at the famous Grand Ole Opry.

In 2013, Dom Flemons decided to leave the Carolina Chocolate Drops to focus on his own music career.

Dom's Solo Music Career

Dom Flemons started his solo career even before he left the Carolina Chocolate Drops. His first solo album, Dance Tunes Ballads & Blues, came out in 2007. His next album, American Songster, was released in 2008. He even performed at the Newport Folk Festival, which was featured on NPR radio.

Over the years, Dom has performed as a solo artist at many famous places. These include Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry, and the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. He also represented the United States at the Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia.

In 2014, Dom released Prospect Hill, where he worked with other musicians. This album featured seven of his own songs. Dom also helps new musicians through the Music Maker Relief Foundation. He finds young talent and has performed with older artists from the foundation.

Black Cowboys Album

Dom Flemons' album Black Cowboys (2018) tells the important story of African Americans who helped shape the American West. He used old songs and poems to share these stories. For example, he included "Home on the Range" and "Goodbye Old Paint." He learned that "Goodbye Old Paint" was first recorded from a Black cowboy and former slave named Charley Willis.

The album shares stories of thousands of African American pioneers. These include famous cowboy Nat Love and Bass Reeves, who was the first Black U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi. Some people even believe Bass Reeves was the inspiration for the Lone Ranger. Dom also wrote a song about Bill Pickett, a leading Black movie cowboy. Black Cowboys was released with the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture. For the album, Dom played old instruments like the six-string banjo and the quills, just like musicians from the past.

Dom Flemons has also appeared on TV shows like David Holt's State of Music on PBS. He played the blues musician Joe Hill Louis on CMT's show Sun Records. Dom also has his own podcast called American Songster Radio on WUNC National Public Radio.

Working with Other Musicians

Dom Flemons has also worked with other musicians on albums. In 2012, he recorded Buffalo Junction with blues guitarist Boo Hanks. Four years later, in 2016, he teamed up with British guitarist Martin Simpson to record A Selection of Ever Popular Favourites.

Dom Flemons performing in May 2010

Instruments Dom Flemons Plays

Dom Flemons' main instrument is the banjo. He was influenced by musician Mike Seeger. Dom plays different types of banjos, including a 4-string banjo and a rare 1920s Clef Club banjo.

Awards and Recognition

The Boston Globe newspaper praised Dom Flemons, saying that "American songster" describes his work better than just "musician." This is because he does so much as a multi-instrumentalist and solo artist.

Dom Flemons won a Grammy Award as part of the Carolina Chocolate Drops for their album, Genuine Negro Jig. His solo album, Black Cowboys (2018), was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Folk Album and a Blues Music Award.

Dom Flemons' Music Albums

Albums

Singles

Images for kids

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  The Carolina Chocolate Drops performing at the City Stages Festival, in Birmingham, Alabama, United States in 2008. From left to right: Dom Flemons, jug; Rhiannon Giddens, 5-string banjo; Justin Robinson, fiddle

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  Dom Flemons in May 2010, performing at Hugh's Room