Art explores one of the most distinctive and arresting sounds in choral music – a traditional form known as Sacred Harp Singing.

Art takes a look at the Mexican corrido. Much like folk music from Europe and the United States, the corrido is a narrative style of ballad from Mexico that centers on themes of oppression, daily life and social commentary.

Art digs into his LP collection and pulls out an album he recorded and released in 1979 on Kicking Mule Recrods called “The Old-Time Banjo in America.”

Art commemorates the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. In the century that had passed since the ship’s fateful voyage, no other disaster has fascinated songwriters like the voyage of the RMS Titanic.

This week Art is joined by Scott Matthews, a history lecturer at Georgia State University, about lined out hymns and their prominence in Primitive Baptist Churches with a special highlight on the Deacon Tommy Tookes.

This week, Backroads & Banjos looks forward to St. Patrick’s Day by welcoming in Decatur’s own “The Dixie Jigs.” The group stopped by the AM 1690 studios to record some of the traditional Irish tunes from their repertoire including step jigs, traditional jigs, and the Irish ballad “Do You Love an Apple.” Bandleader, fiddler, and singer Moira Nelligan is joined by mandolin extraordinaire George Norman and her son Mickey Nelligan playing guitar and fiddle.