David Holt: The stories and song of Appalachia

http://www.ted.com Folk musician and storyteller David Holt plays the banjo and shares photographs and old wisdom from the Appalachian Mountains. He also demonstrates some unusual instruments like the mouth bow -- and a surprising electric drum kit he calls "thunderwear."
TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers are invited to give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes -- including speakers such as Jill Bolte Taylor, Sir Ken Robinson, Hans Rosling, Al Gore and Arthur Benjamin. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, politics and the arts. Watch the Top 10 TEDTalks on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/top10

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[stuffisgd]

I wonder how suzzy got that black eye.

[EvanChaim]

I think that mouth bow produces a sound simmilar to the aborigonal diggere doo.

[mobilechief]

@stuffisgd She hit the lighting.

[jazz31162]

Texas Born David Holt Rocks:)

[jfelipino]

@elphish12 an awesome, inspiring story! i hope to see him some day :)

[elphish12]

Almost three years ago, I accidentally attended David Holt concert in Asheville, North Carolina. I had never heard old time music before but I fell in love that day and every day since then I have fallen more in love with this music. Today I am an Appalachian ballad singer and clogger and dating an old-time fiddler. Almost every aspect of my life today is different and richer than it was before, and it's all because of this man who introduced me to this wonderful music. Thank you.

[elkrobber]

@felixq78 200 years, what are you on abou?t the mouth bow is one of the oldest instruments, probably at least 15,000 years old

[moonshineminx1]

Full agreement here on the Omagh festival comments-Laura Boosinger and Josh Goforth are also fantastic performers in their own right. Hope they all come back again.

[RichieWoods001]

@TravelingFolkGuitar It's not often that acts get a full standing ovasion in the main marquee during the afternoon sessions, (at least I haven't seen so). So it would be a shame to think he won't be back, and I know again I would speak for all who attended. Professional, Encouraging, Contented are just some of the words to describe this man..

[TravelingFolkGuitar]

@RichieWoods001 I was there man, and I totally agree. Here's hoping he will return to Ireland soon!

[felixq78]

@EvanChaim You mean Didgeridoo which is a wind instrument. The only similarity is that they both have a constant pitch

The mouth bow is more like the Jew's Harp which is smaller and uses a metal band instead of a string.

The didgeridoo has a much deeper resonance, it's an ancient instrument with deep spiritual significance goes back 50,000 or more years while this mouth bow is relatively new 200 years maybe and sounds more like a comedy prop.