Lee Sexton (second from right) is a master of the drop-thumb banjo and has played at square dances for three generations. Members of both his father’s and mother’s families were musicians; the late Roscoe Holcomb of Leatherwood Creek was his cousin.

Throughout his lengthy musical career, Lee has been an essential figure in the musical life of his community. He has played everything from front porches and community dances to radio stations, festivals, and college campuses. He is a regular at Appalshop’s annual Seedtime on the Cumberland Festival and the Hindman Settlement School’s Family Folk Week. He was featured in the Appalshop music video “Whoa Mule,” shown on Country Music Television and the Nashville Network, and appeared in the Hollywood film Coal Miner’s Daughter, based on the life of Loretta Lynn. In 1999, Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton presented Lee with a Governor’s Award in the Arts.

Several recordings by Lee and his band are available on Appalshop’s record label, JuneAppal.

Program 534

Host Chip Polston travels to Hindman for Appalachian Family Folk Week, an annual celebration of the traditional arts and culture of the region. (#534)