In the original notes to this recording, Mike Seeger writes, "The songs on this album were recorded by commercial companies and the Library of Congress in the southeastern mountains between 1925 and 1935, and show the first attempts of the hill musicians to 'make a hit' with old traditional songs that had been in the mountains since pioneer days. Formed in 1958 by Mike Seeger, John Cohen, and Tom Paley, the Ramblers introduced the regional styles of southern ballads, blues, string bands, and bluegrass to northerners yearning for a sound and an experience not found in mainstream music. NLCR participated in the old-time music revival, and continued to directly influence many later musicians such as Ry Cooder, Bob Dylan and Jerry Garcia.