Abstract:
The Carolina Chocolate Drops, a group of three young musicians, have rediscovered and are keeping alive the traditions of African American string bands of the Piedmont. The group's name is derived from a 1920s string band, The Tennessee Chocolate Drops. The group has been mentored by legendary musician, Joe Thompson, who at age 88, received one of eleven National Heritage Awards bestowed by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2007.