This work represents a lifetime of research by Wayne Erbsen, professor of old-time and bluegrass music at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Over years of research, he managed to interview many of the important pioneers of Appalachian music. In many cases, he was the first and often the only scholar to ever collect their stories. For this alone, this history will remain an indispensable resource for generations to come.

The first part of the book is devoted to stories of many of the pioneers of old-time and bluegrass music. Following that are chapters on brother duets from the 1930s, legendary banjo pickers and fiddle players, plus tales of 19th century songwriters whose songs still populate bluegrass music. Also covered are such wide-ranging whimsical topics as cowboys in bluegrass music, Charlie Cline's powerful snoring, a near-encounter with Bigfoot, and Hoss Cartwright's hat.