Mike Seeger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mike Seeger
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Seeger in 1964
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| Born | August 15, 1933 New York City |
| Origin | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | August 7, 2009 (aged 75) Lexington, Virginia, U.S. |
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Mike Seeger (born August 15, 1933 – died August 7, 2009) was an American folk musician. He was also a folklorist, meaning he studied and collected traditional songs and stories. Mike was a talented singer and played many instruments. These included the autoharp, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, guitar, and harmonica.
He was the half-brother of the famous folk singer Pete Seeger. Mike helped create over 30 documentary recordings. He also performed on more than 40 other albums. Mike wanted to share the music of the people who taught and inspired him. In 2018, after he passed away, he was honored by being added to the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.
Contents
Mike Seeger's Early Life and Family
Mike Seeger was born in New York City. He grew up in Maryland and Washington D.C.. His family was full of musicians and artists!
A Family of Composers and Folklorists
His father, Charles Louis Seeger Jr., was a composer. He was also a pioneer in ethnomusicology. This is the study of music from different cultures. Mike's mother, Ruth Crawford Seeger, was also a composer.
Mike had several half-brothers. Charles Seeger III became a radio astronomer. John Seeger taught for many years at the Dalton School. His most famous half-brother was Pete Seeger, a legendary folk singer. Mike's uncle, Alan Seeger, was a poet who died in World War I.
Learning Music and Family Connections
Mike taught himself to play stringed instruments when he was 18. He also sang Sacred Harp music. This is a type of American folk hymn singing. He sang with British folk singer Ewan MacColl and his son, Calum.
Mike's sister, Peggy Seeger, is also a well-known folk performer. She married Ewan MacColl. His other sister, Penny, married John Cohen. John was a member of Mike's band, the New Lost City Ramblers.
In 1936, Mike's family moved to Washington D.C. His father got a job in the music division of the Resettlement Administration. While there, his mother, Ruth Seeger, worked closely with John and Alan Lomax. They worked at the Archive of American Folk Song at the Library of Congress. Their goal was to save and teach American folk music. Ruth Seeger's versions of traditional folk songs are still highly respected today.
Mike Seeger's Musical Journey
When Mike Seeger was about 20, he started recording traditional musicians. He used a tape recorder to capture their songs. Famous folk musicians like Lead Belly and Woody Guthrie often visited the Seeger family home.
Forming the New Lost City Ramblers
In 1958, Mike helped start a band called the New Lost City Ramblers. This was an old-time string band in New York City. This happened during the Folk Revival, when people became very interested in traditional music.
The other founding members were John Cohen and Tom Paley. Tom Paley left the group in 1962. Tracy Schwarz then joined the band. The New Lost City Ramblers greatly influenced many musicians who came after them.
The Ramblers were special because they focused on old playing styles. They learned these styles from old 78rpm records. These records featured musicians from the 1920s and 1930s.
Other Bands and Collaborations
Tracy Schwarz was also in Mike's other band, the Strange Creek Singers. Mike's former wife, Alice Gerrard, also sang and played guitar in this band. The other members were bass player Hazel Dickens and banjo player Lamar Grier. In the Strange Creek Singers, Mike sang and played guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, autoharp, and harmonica.
Awards and Influence
Mike Seeger was nominated for six Grammy awards. He also received four grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 2009, he received a National Heritage Fellowship. This is the highest honor for folk and traditional arts in the United States.
His impact on the folk music world was even mentioned by Bob Dylan. Dylan wrote about Mike in his autobiography, Chronicles: Volume One. Mike was a popular performer at traditional music events, like Breakin' Up Winter.
Mike Seeger passed away at his home in Lexington, Virginia, on August 7, 2009. He was 75 years old. He had stopped cancer treatment before his death.
The Mike Seeger Collection is a special collection of his recordings. It is kept at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Mike Seeger's Recordings
Mike Seeger released many albums throughout his career. He recorded both solo albums and albums with his bands.
Solo and Collaboration Albums
- Old Time Country Music (1962)
- Mike Seeger (1964)
- Mike and Peggy Seeger (1966)
- American Folk Songs for Children (1977)
- Alice Gerrard and Mike Seeger (1980)
- Solo: Oldtime Country Music (1991)
- Animal Folk Songs for Children (1992)
- Retrograss (with John Hartford and David Grisman) (1999)
- True Vine (2003)
- Early Southern Guitar Sounds (2007)
- Bowling Green (with Alice Gerrard) (2008)
Recordings with the New Lost City Ramblers
The New Lost City Ramblers released many albums, helping to share old-time music.
- New Lost City Ramblers (1958)
- Old Timey Songs for Children (1959)
- New Lost City Ramblers – Vol. 2 (1960)
- New Lost City Ramblers – Vol. 3 (1961)
- String Band Instrumentals (1964)
- Modern Times (1968)
- 20th Anniversary Concert (1978)
- 50 Years: Where Do You Come From? Where Do You Go? (2008)
Recording with Strange Creek Singers
- Strange Creek Singers (1972)
Films Featuring Mike Seeger
Mike Seeger also appeared in some films that showcased his music and knowledge.
- Homemade American Music (1980)
- Always Been a Rambler (2009)
