Roscoe Holcomb

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Roscoe Holcomb
Roscoe Holcomb in 1962
Background information
Birth name Roscoe Halcomb
Born (1912-09-05)September 5, 1912
Origin Daisy, Kentucky, USA
Genres Folk, bluegrass, country, gospel, old-time music
Occupation(s) Miner, construction worker, Farmer, Musician
Instruments Banjo, Guitar, Harmonica
Years active 1958–1978

Roscoe Holcomb, (born as Roscoe Halcomb[1] September 5, 1912 – died February 1, 1981) was an American singer, banjo player, and guitarist from Daisy, Kentucky. A prominent figure in Appalachian folk music, Holcomb was the inspiration for the term "high, lonesome sound," coined by folklorist and friend John Cohen. The "high lonesome sound" term is now used to describe bluegrass singing, although Holcomb was not, strictly speaking, a bluegrass performer.

Life and performance style[edit]

Holcomb's repertoire included old-time music, hymns, traditional music and blues ballads. In addition to playing the banjo and guitar, he was a competent harmonica and fiddle player, and sang many of his most memorable songs a cappella.


A coal miner, construction laborer and farmer for much of his life, Holcomb was not recorded until 1958, after which his career as a professional musician was bolstered by the folk revival in the 1960s. Holcomb gave his last live performance in 1978. Due to what he described as injuries he sustained during his long career as a laborer, Holcomb was eventually unable to work for more than short periods, and his later income came primarily from his music. Suffering from asthma and emphysema as a result of working in coal mines, he died in 1981 at the age of 68.



Holcomb's discography includes:[3]


External links[edit]