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Doo-Dah

Stephen Foster and the Rise of American Popular Culture

by Ken Emerson

Paperback, 400 pages, Perseus Books Group, List Price: $18.95 |

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Stephen Foster and the Rise of American Popular Culture
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Ken Emerson

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Book Summary

Offers a study of the classic songwriter whose works included "Oh, Susanna," a man whose music helped to create American popular culture

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Author Interviews

The Lyrics And Legacy Of Stephen Foster

Fresh Air

If you've ever hummed "Camptown Races" or "Oh! Susanna," then you're familiar with 19th century songwriter Stephen Foster. But the lyrics in Foster's songs often contained condescending racial ideas. Music historian Ken Emerson, the author of a Foster biography, has annotated many of the songwriter's lyrics in a new book, Stephen Foster & Co.

The Lyrics And Legacy Of Stephen Foster

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