Meet our Presenters David Holt

David Holt

Every young man dreams of a life of adventure. In 1968, David Holt found his lifes journey in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. With a passion to become an old-time banjo player, David travelled to remote mountain communities like Kingdom Come, Kentucky and Sodom Laurel, North Carolina searching for the best traditional musicians. Holt found hundreds of old-time mountaineers with a wealth of folk music, stories and wisdom.

For over three decades, Davids passion for traditional music and culture has fuelled a successful performing and recording career. He has earned four Grammy Awards and performed and recorded with many of his mentors including Doc Watson, Grandpa Jones, Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff and Chet Atkins. Today he tours the country perfoming solo, with Doc Watson and with his band The Lightning Bolts.

In 1975, Holt founded and directed the Appalachian Music Program at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina. It is the only program of its kind in which students study, collect and learn traditional music and dance.