We are proud to present Tennessee 101: The History of Tennessee Music. This series will be lead by co-conveners Dr. Langston Wilkins and Dr. Shawn Pitts.

Before joining academia, Dr. Langston Wilkins worked as a public folklorist at the Tennessee Arts Commission and Humanities Tennessee, where he assisted artists, musicians, and craftspeople. His research interests include urban folklife, hip hop culture and African American music. He recently joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Shawn Pitts, a chiropractor by vocation, is co-founder of Arts in McNairy in Selmer. He has worked to preserve and present the music, material culture, and foodways of West Tennessee, with special interest in rockabilly, broom making, and slug burgers.