Abstract Born in Wolfe County, KY, in 1922, Blanche (Hurt) Coldiron moved with her family to Powell County when she was 6 years old.   At nine years old, after listening to Uncle Dave Macon play banjo on the Grand Old Opry radio show, Blanche taught herself to play the banjo. She played the banjo using five different picking styles including, her customary style, the “claw hammer.”  In addition to the banjo, Coldiron played the bass, guitar, fiddle, and mandolin.  Beginning her music career during...

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Wilson Reeves (1925-2008) was born in Fleming County, KY and attended Berea College.  He was an avid amateur radio operator and collected unique and original recordings, with an extensive library of old-time and mountain music.