Norman Blake is an American music legend. In the world of today's commercialized country music, populated by Nashville's scantily clad models and corporate cowboys, Norman Blake plays real country music. He has championed the music of the rural South for over 40 years. With two of his performances on the double platinum-selling O Brother Where Art Thou? Soundtrack followed by an appearance at New York's Carnegie Hall, Norman continues to garner new listeners while never disappointing long-time fans of old-time music.

Blake was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1938. After leaving school at the age of 16, he began his career as a full-time musician. In the 50's, he was drafted into the military but continued to play the music he loved. On his return to civilian life, Blake resumed his career as a musician. In the 60's, he worked extensively with Johnny Cash and was a regular on Cash's television program. He also appeared on Bob Dylan's Nashville Skyline LP, performed and recorded with Kris Kristofferson and Joan Baez and worked with the late John Hartford as part of the famed Aeroplane Band. He earned a Gold Record for his participation on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's legendary Will the Circle Be Unbroken album.

Since the early 70's, Norman Blake has built his career as a solo artist and has recorded over two dozen albums, many with his wife, Nancy. In the 90's, four of Norman and Nancy's releases received Grammy Award nominations in the Best Traditional/ Folk Recording category. Today, he continues to perform old-time country gems as well as original songs that sound as timeless as those in the traditional repertoire. As a guitarist, Norman Blake is a revered and highly respected talent. Flatpicking Guitar Magazine bestowed upon Blake legendary status and included his name on their First Name Club of guitarists (players who are recognizable by just the mention of their first names). Everything Norman Blake does, whether it's songwriting, picking, or singing, is simple and straightforward, deeply steeped in tradition, and firmly rooted in rural Americana. Ohio University Public Radio's Mark Hellenberg spoke with Norman Blake by phone from his home in Rising Fawn, Georgia.