Country music and its adjacent genres of old-time and bluegrass have entered a renaissance of Black artistry. Beyonce’s release of her country album has brought a brighter spotlight to Black roots of the genre. This presentation looks at the roots and routes that constitute a broad arena of musical sensibilities called ‘American Roots Music'. It is crucial to recognize that this renaissance is not a modern phenomenon, but the result of over 150 years of white cannibalization of African American music. The constellations of musical styles that are evoked by ‘American Roots’ can be traced by instruments such as banjo, fiddle, guitar, and harmonica being performed in a variety of spaces. These musical practices are fortified by Africanisms, or the aesthetic similarities between African and African American culture. This zoom presentation will walk participants through sonic examples of country music’s Black roots and offer an analysis of Beyonce’s new album from the point of view of a Black banjo researcher.