Ncta board chairman george holt’s tribute to joe wilson

He was 76 years of age. He had been in ill health in recent years, undergoing two kidney transplants, and suffering heart problems as well. Joe died in the hospital in Winston-Salem, NC. Though a professional champion of folk and traditional music of every kind, his work went largely unnoticed by all but a few of the artists, music lovers, and cultural traditions he embraced.

Joe was a tireless supporter of the music of the Blue Ridge region, being born and raised in East Tennessee, though his work at NCTA involved the preservation and archival of all sorts of folk music and arts, those of American origin, and of the many immigrant and native peoples who have lived here.

Joe Wilson became Executive Director of the National Folk Festival Association in With the board of directors, Wilson changed the name of the organization to the National .

He was very influential in many different areas of the music business for many years. He was a great friend to me and so many musicians around the world. He will be missed. He was a great friend to many musicians, including me, and through his vision, writings, and natural intellect, he changed the way many thought about presenting traditional music.

In a tribute to Joe Wilson written by Barry Bergey, who served for 29 years as a folk and traditional arts specialist in the NEA and was the director of its Folk and Traditional Arts .

His accomplishments are too many to list in a single post, from the Crooked Road to the revolving National Folk Festivals, but please do yourself a favor and become acquainted with this national treasure. It is very unlikely he will be replaced in my lifetime. Joe will never be replaced and I feel lucky to have lived on the same planet and at the same time as Mr.

I got to hear Joe stories from the man himself. Rest in Peace Joe. You earned it fair and square.