Larry Worster, Ph.D., holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from St. Lawrence University, a Bachelor's in Classical Guitar, and a master's and Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Colorado. He taught for 38 years at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Having served twice as Department chair, he is currently Professor Emeritus. Worster's background is rooted in the folk and popular traditions of the United States. He was a founding member of the Irish ensemble Colcannon. He currently leads the top rock 'n' roll band in the South Tucson area, as well as perming on the bass with the two big bands of Green Valley. As part of his studies at CU and beyond, he participated in a variety of ensembles from African American gospel choirs and African drumming ensembles to Indonesian gamelans. This textbook is a result of his endless search for a textbook that offered a comprehensive explanation of the music of America's diverse subcultures.