History

In 1982, Jack Tottle launched the Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music program at ETSU — venturing into uncharted academic territory. At the time, no other four-year university had embraced these musical traditions as the foundation for a university curriculum, and many within the academic world were openly skeptical about their legitimacy as a field of study.

What began as a mission to teach students about country and bluegrass music soon evolved into something much broader. Early on, the creation of a spirited “History of Country Music” course opened students’ eyes and ears to the deep roots of modern sounds. As the course unfolded, its importance became clear: many students were encountering the rich heritage of American roots music for the first time. One memorable moment underscored just how much there was to learn — when a student innocently asked, “Oh, did Hank Williams Jr.’s daddy play music too?”

As the program gained momentum, sharing its impact with faculty, staff, and the larger regional community became an essential part of the journey. News of ETSU alumni began to reach far beyond campus, with mentions in publications including Bluegrass Unlimited, Sing Out, Acoustic Guitar, the Chronicle of Higher Education, the U.S. Congressional Record, and even The New York Times.

A standout moment arrived when alumna Jennifer McCarter and her twin sisters signed with Warner Brothers Records, creating a buzz both at ETSU and in the local music scene. Their debut album produced three songs that landed on the national Billboard Country Music charts — two of which reached No. 4 and No. 5. The McCarter Sisters soon found themselves in the national spotlight, appearing on Dolly Parton’s television show and touring as the opening act for Kenny Rogers.

As word spread, ETSU students began showcasing their talents at renowned venues around the world. Performances included academic and cultural events such as the Sonneck Society gathering in Nashville, the Moscow Folk Arts Festival, Washington D.C.’s Kennedy Center and Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards show alongside Ricky Skaggs, NATO Headquarters in Brussels, and multiple venues in Japan — including a memorable concert at the United States Embassy in Tokyo.

The global impact of the program was captured in “Orient Express,” a documentary chronicling the ETSU Bluegrass Band’s pioneering tour of Japan. This film became the first commercially available DVD to spotlight bluegrass and country music scenes abroad. Adding to the international reach, the U.S. Government’s Voice of America filmed the ETSU band at the historic A.P. Carter Fold, interviewing students and producing a special broadcast in Mandarin for audiences across Asia.

In recent decades, ETSU’s Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music program has transformed from a regional pioneer into a nationally and internationally recognized leader for traditional music studies. Early on, dynamic media coverage and high-profile performances helped the region rediscover and celebrate its musical heritage, shifting local perspectives and affirming the relevance of Appalachian music in a contemporary, global context. As a result, what was once dismissed as “old-fashioned” music is now celebrated as a living art form, earning prestige far beyond its Appalachian origins and prompting a new sense of pride within East Tennessee’s Tri-Cities community.

The program’s reach and influence have broadened dramatically. Students now travel from across the United States and abroad to attend, drawn by both the program’s musical reputation and its innovative academic model. The curriculum has evolved continuously to stay relevant, adding new courses, expanding Celtic and Old-Time programming, increasing international collaborations, and developing cutting-edge tracks in audio production and the bluegrass music industry. The department’s move to the Department of Appalachian Studies in 1999, the addition of a minor in 2005, and the establishment of the B.A. degree in 2010 marked important milestones. In 2013, the M.A. in Appalachian Studies was launched, further expanding opportunities for advanced scholarship and creative work.

Most recently, ETSU achieved accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) for its Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music program — the highest standard for collegiate music programs — cementing its commitment to academic excellence and professional preparation. This recognition affirms what the music industry and higher education have already discovered: ETSU serves as a gold standard for university-based roots music education. Alumni have earned Grammy awards and top honors from the IBMA, the Academy of Country Music, and the Country Music Association, while many graduates continue to shape the music industry as award-winning performers, educators, and scholars. The program’s legacy is visible not only in its tradition and artistry, but in the vibrant, diverse community it has fostered and the renewed appreciation of Appalachian music both at home and on the global stage.