music

Playing mountain music: David Holt on TED.com

Posted by: Tedstaff

Folk musician and storyteller David Holt plays the banjo and shares photographs and old wisdom from the Appalachian Mountains. He also demonstrates some unusual instruments like the mouth bow — and a surprising electric drum kit he calls “thunderwear.” (Recorded March 2004 in Monterey, California. Duration: 25:31.)

Watch David Holt’s talk on TED.com, where you can download this TEDTalk, rate it, comment on it and find other talks and performances from our archive of almost 350 TEDTalks — including more talks about music.

Get TED delivered:
Subscribe to the TEDTalks video podcast via RSS >>
Subscribe to the iTunes video podcast
Subscribe to the iTunes audio podcast
Get updates via Twitter >>
Join our Facebook fan page >>

Subscribe to the TED Blog >>

Tags for this story:
Related stories:

music

10 talks that involve highly unusual instruments10 talks that involve highly unusual instruments

Posted By Liz Jacobs

Music comes in all shapes and sizes, as these talks illustrate. From an electric drum suit called “thunderwear” to an ancient stringed wheel to an arresting rare organ, the instruments featured in these talks reshape our soundscape and offer inspiration in the cacophonous world around us. David Holt plays mountain music In this amiable talk […]

Entertainment

Thomas Dolby retires as musical director of TED ConferencesThomas Dolby retires as musical director of TED Conferences

Posted By Emily McManus

Thomas Dolby, TED’s longtime musical director, has retired from his post. Dolby recently returned to recording after a break of nearly two decades, and has been enjoying a personal musical renaissance with the release of his new album, A Map of the Floating City, and a worldwide concert tour. Over the past 12 years, Dolby […]

Comments (3)

  • Jenny Hopper commented on Apr 22 2009

    I have been following Holt for some time, he is truely a inspiration to anyone who see him and understands him. Awesome guy !

  • Martin Shadwell commented on Jan 15 2009

    Very uplifting. If I’m honest I’ve always been a fan of the Banjo. David Holt has a very interesting story to tell, imagine finishing college and coming home to tell your parents you wanted to be a banjo player. Crazy.
    Martin

  • Robert Koopman commented on Mar 8 2009

    A very talented musician, and what a nice story Holt has too.
    Robert