Bascom Lamar Lunsford

Bascom Lamar Lunsford (1882–1973) was an American folklorist, musician, and promoter of Appalachian culture, particularly from North Carolina. He is best known for his role in preserving and sharing traditional folk music and stories through festivals and recordings. Lunsford founded the first Mountain Dance and Folk Festival in Asheville, North Carolina, in 1928, which helped bring attention to the region’s rich artistic heritage. His work emphasized the importance of cultural traditions and contributed significantly to the appreciation of Appalachian music and folklore within a wider context. Today, he is recognized as a key figure in American folk music history.