The character of the strolling minstrel is a favorite of fans of renaissance culture--the singing bard who tells tales to children and gathered crowds. Later, though, during and after the days of slavery, 'minstrel' came to be associated with blackface shows, in which white and black performers would darken their faces with burnt cork and perform outrageous skits mimicking black culture and stereotypical mannerisms. Music biographer Nick Tosches wrote a book about influential minstrel singer Emmett Miller in 2001. Miller came from a vaudeville background, though he's credited with inspiring such country legends as Hank Williams, Bob Wills, and Jimmy Rodgers. The most famous blackface singer of his time, though, was certainly Al Jolson.

Notable Artists: Emmett Miller, Honey Wilds, Al Jolson