Friday, April 06, 2007

Bill Ferris wins Guggenheim

A hearty congratulations to Bill Ferris for earning a Guggenheim Fellowship for his important work on the Mississippi Blues.

Ferris, who chaired the NEH from 1997 to 2001, is associate director for the Center for the Study of the American South at UNC. A folklorist specializing in the work and culture of blues musicians, he has interviewed thousands of musicians, written or edited 10 books, and created 15 documentary films.

Last fall, he received a lifetime achievement award at an international film festival in Prague.

You can sample some of Ferris' documentary filmmaking at Folkstreams (hosted by ibiblio).

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