Recordings, photographs, and documentation relating to a National Endowment for the Arts and North Carolina Arts Council-funded coastal fieldwork project in Beaufort and Hyde counties, N.C. Included are interviews with Vincent Murray, African-American traditional gospel singer of Belhaven, N.C., and Leon Randolph and Lena Perry, gospel musicians of Washington, N.C., in which they sing gospel songs and discuss their musical backgrounds, the meaning and different styles of gospel music and its role in the church, contemporary and a cappella gospel and local gospel groups. Willis Pippin, Anglo-American old-time string band musician of Washington, N.C., recounts his musical background and his interest in buying and repairing violins. Jake Zwaal, harmonica player of Terra Ceia, N.C., tells of his immigration from Holland, his musical repertoire and style, and the history of the predominantly Dutch Terra Ceia community. Ann Bell of Belhaven, N.C., a self-taught painter, uses her paintings to tell stories of her life, and explains her techniques and style. Bill Ebison, African-American composer, singer, and guitarist of Washington, N.C., demonstrates blues, country, Cajun, gopsel, and jazz styles, and discusses his work as a composer. Also included in the collection are a number of live recordings of church choirs in Beaufort and Hyde counties.
