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A woman with long hair sits outdoors by a tree, playing a mountain dulcimer on her lap. She is wearing a patterned dress and appears focused on the instrument. The photo is black and white.

Jean Ritchie, long-time singer and researcher of traditional songs from her native Appalachia and their connections to British balladry, passed away last Monday at the age of 92. Jean introduced the mountain dulcimer to many, and played a significant role in the folk-music revival of the 1960s. Her songs were recorded by Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris among others. As a remembrance to Jean, the next KZSC Backroads folk show (Sunday 6/7/15, noon-2pm) will feature a documentary about her music. The segment to be aired is part of the “Southern Songbirds” radio series that honors the women of early country and old-time music, through the courtesy of Coast Ridge Productions.

KZSC 88.1 Santa Cruz logo with silhouettes of trees above the text and stylized ocean waves beside the numbers.
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