American Popular Music Scholar Dr. Charles K. Wolfe Dies in Tennessee

03/26/2006 05:30PM

Dr. Charles K. Wolfe passed away on February 9 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. A music scholar, expert on American popular music and one of the most important and prolific writers of our time, his works embodied hundreds of articles and over fifteen books including A Good-Natured Riot - The Birth of the Grand Ole Opry, Tennessee Strings, Kentucky Country, and biographies on Deford Bailey, Grandpa Jones, Mahalia Jackson and The Life and Legend of Leadbelly. He reportedly was wrapping up a work on Bill Monroe.

Originally from Missouri, Dr. Wolfe retired last year after 35 years with Middle Tennessee State University where he taught courses in English, folklore and popular culture.

He was a valued member of the IBMA Board of Directors in the mid-1990s and the recipient of the organization's Distinguished Achievement Award in 1990.

[Reprinted from International Bluegrass, with permission from IBMA. Photo courtesy of MTSU].

World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/2006032617303457