
Ethnomusicologist, musician, author, husband, Dad. Director at Smithsonian Center for Folklife & Cultural Heritage. Opinions are mine. #folklife
Baltimore, MD
Joined January 2015
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Cliff Murphy retweeted
Who else is excited for the release of The Original Louisville Slugger? Author @murphy_cliff, (whose recent book 'Ink' is an amazing look at the life of NFL pioneer and music producer J. Mayo “Ink” Williams) had these kind words to say about 'The Original Louisville Slugger.'
Cliff Murphy retweeted
"History is a scaffolding for understanding how we got here."
@murphy_cliff (@SmithsonianFolk) answers questions about his #newbook on the UIP blog
press.uillinois.edu/wordpres…
#NationalVinylRecordDay
Cliff Murphy retweeted
"The illustrious story of one indefatigable Black American who was as adept on the gridiron as he was at recording blues hits."
Thanks for the great review, @newcity!
@murphy_cliff's INK: The Indelible J. Mayo Williams (go.illinois.edu/s24murphy) is now available!
Clifford R. Murphy’s new biography, "Ink: The Indelible J. Mayo Williams," tells the illustrious story of one indefatigable Black American who was as adept on the gridiron as he was at recording blues hits.
lit.newcity.com/2024/07/25/o…
Nice review of “Ink” from @newcity! @IllinoisPress
Clifford R. Murphy’s new biography, "Ink: The Indelible J. Mayo Williams," tells the illustrious story of one indefatigable Black American who was as adept on the gridiron as he was at recording blues hits.
lit.newcity.com/2024/07/25/o…
Great to visit with @USUNESCO Ambassador Jean Manes @UNESCO and to discuss #IntangibleCulturalHeritage!
As we continue to increase the @smithsonian and @UNESCO partnership – great to have Dr. Cliff Murphy, Director of @SmithsonianFolk. The Smithsonian represents the very best of Team USA 🇺🇸 across science, education and culture. #DidYouKnow the Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum and research complex? 21 museums, 9 research centers, and affiliates around the 🌎
What’s your favorite?
Cliff Murphy retweeted
“The Center continues to be a force for good and stands as a place to create shared cultural connections and understanding amid a complex world.”
—Director @murphy_cliff
Support this work today: go.si.edu/folklife
Gotta love that 58 min hold time with @GBMCHealthcare billing office. So much time, such bad hold music. Just got an update that it’ll be another 30 min on hold. @GBMCMedia
Cliff Murphy retweeted
Have a passion for the folk arts? We're looking for someone to lead the @NEAarts Folk & Traditional Arts team.
Visit @USAJOBS for more information and to apply: usajobs.gov/job/735758400
Job opening @NEAarts - Director of Folk & Traditional Arts. Great place to work, great co-workers, critical mission. Applications due 7/26. usajobs.gov/job/735758400
Such a great two weeks - and feeling lucky to be part of this crew!!!
That's a wrap on the #2023Folklife Festival! From all of us on staff, to our volunteers, participants, and visitors: thank you.
We hope to see you again next year—same time, same place.
📸 by Sonya Pencheva
Cliff Murphy retweeted
Secretary of the @Smithsonian Lonnie G. Bunch III shares his experience at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the origins of this annual event, and what to expect this summer!
Read the full article in Smithsonian Magazine: s.si.edu/3XthTK3.
Just two days away from the launch of the 2023 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Two weeks, free and open to the public. Come on on out to @SmithsonianFolk - can’t wait!! #2023Folklife
Cliff Murphy retweeted
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival’s concert lineup is live!
Take a look, and check back as we add more artists and descriptions: s.si.edu/concerts
Can’t make it to DC? Several of the concerts on the Ralph Rinzler Main Stage will be livestreamed worldwide.
#2023Folklife
Cliff Murphy retweeted
Congratulations to our “Masters of Tradition” team, including Folklife and @Esri staff, who earned the Innovation and Access Award at the 2023 Smithsonian Education Awards Ceremony last week.
Explore the lives of @NEAarts Heritage Fellows in the map: s.si.edu/storymap
Cliff Murphy retweeted
Anniversary today of Johnny Shines’ death in 1992. I was with him at the 1991 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, where from the narrative stage he wanted to be sure that young visitors understood the history of blues in the context of Black American life. This was not long …1/2
Going through photos I shot at the 1970 Ann Arbor Blues Festival, I thought to make some public for the first time. As a performer I had backstage access and was able to get portraits and candids as well as performance photos. #23
Here is Johnny Shines, on his birthday.
Great to represent @SmithsonianFolk at the @librarycongress #AmericanFolklifeCenter board meeting, along with Jessica Turner @afsfolklorists, @NatalieMerchant, and @broadbandette from @NEAarts!
Thrilled to see Marjorie Hunt, Betty Belanus, and the @SmithsonianFolk Education team recognized by #smithsonianeducation and @SmithsonianSec for “Masters of Tradition”!
Cliff Murphy retweeted
The @NEAarts National Heritage fellowships recognize artistic excellence, lifetime achievement, and contributions to our nation's traditional arts heritage.
Nominate a folk/traditional artist as a 2024 #NEAHeritage Fellow by May 30, 2023.
More info: bit.ly/3zZF9nO
Cliff Murphy retweeted
New People’s Picks, this edition by Eric D. Johnson of @Fruit_Bats 🦇
Diving deep into the Folkways catalog, he shares a playlist of songs and sounds that have inspired him or piqued his curiosity, from Furry Lewis to a chorus of frogs.
Listen / Read: s.si.edu/3nZnVEm

























