Blanche Coldiron Collection BCA 0133 SAA 133

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Blanche Coldiron Collection BCA 0133 SAA 133

Audio and Video Recordings

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title: Blanche Coldiron Collection BCA 0133 SAA 133

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description: This collection consists of recordings documenting the performance style and banjo tunes of banjo player Blanche Coldiron, prominently known as "Blanche the Mountain Girl.” Most of the recordings in the collection are dated from the mid to late 1990s and include practice tapes, home recordings, radio recordings, and recordings of Blanche Coldiron and the Real World String Band. Her performing is also documented in Berea's John Harrod and Celebration of Traditional Music collections.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 the Great Depression, Coldiron came to be known as "Blanche the Mountain Girl" as she played with the Kentucky Hillbillies, an Appalachian traditional music group that traveled to remote schoolhouses throughout Jackson and Clay counties in Eastern Kentucky. In 1937, Coldiron joined her older brother, Oasa Hurt, to play for Asa Martin's Kentucky Hillbillies for two years. At age 21, she married Earl Coldiron and began to raise a family. She continued her music career by performing locally at dances, fairs, and family gatherings. However, Coldiron put her career on hold to attend to family responsibilities. In the mid-1990s, she returned from that hiatus and made a "comeback" after 50 years. Upon being rediscovered by traditional Appalachian music expert John Harrod, Coldiron’s banjo performances were recorded as part of a collection released in 1999 by Rounder Records, titled "Kentucky Old-Time Banjo." In June 2005, Coldiron was honored with Morehead State University's Appalachian Treasure Award for her lifelong contribution to the cultural heritage of Appalachia. Coldiron passed away in 2005.

publisher: Berea College Special Collections and Archives

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© 2022 Berea College | Berea, KY 40404 | 859.985.3262 | Potentially Harmful Content Notice: Berea College Special Collections and Archives collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the views of their creators. As a result, some items may demonstrate offensive language and views that do not reflect the values of Berea College.

Blanche Coldiron Collection BCA 0133 SAA 133

Blanche and Jim Coldiron 1996 SC-CT-940-001

Blanche and Jim Coldiron sing and play Susie Q 1998SC-CT-940-003

Blanche Coldiron and Real World String Band

Blanche Coldiron and Real World String Band- recorded on WEKU SC-CT-940-008

Blanche Coldiron at Sue Massek’s home August 1996

Blanche Coldiron Sue, Karen, and Jim SC-CT-940-006

Blanche Coldiron with Sue Massek and Family SC-CT-940-007-A

Blanche Coldiron with Sue Massek and Family SC-CT-940-007-B

Blanche Coldiron, Jim and Ray on Radio at WEKU Richmond Ky SC-CT-940-005

Blanche Coldiron, Jimmy and Pat 1998 SC-CT-940-002

Blanche Coldiron, Pat and Lisa SC-CT-940-004