A founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, musician and historian Dom Flemons is helping chart the past and present of Black Traditional Music performers… and history. Smithsonian Folkways has recognized his gifts and commissioned present and future work to make sure it’s saved for posterity. Lucky us!

Black Cowboys were an active part of daily Western life back in the early US. As with the development of Traditional Music throughout North America, their role was pivotal. Dom Flemons has done the research and brings this delightful part of our musical culture to life. Here’s his story.