Folk music emerged out of regionally distinct environments. Traditional and oral cultures were tied down together in this type of music which is an honest musical expression by people. Ethnologists and music collectors John and Alan Lomax offered a novel nuanced interpretation of folk song when they were authorised by Library of Congress to collect folk songs from across the country. They emphasised the malleability of folk music as the balladeers created new songs out of old ones to suit a current situation making amendments to both tone and content. Alan Lomax’s contribution later culminated in thirteen volume Southern Journey (1959-1960) on the Folkways label. The urban modernity wanted to preserve regional culture so they developed
