Coon songs, big shows, and black stage stars of the Ragtime era -- The spirit of the smart set -- Blues for the sideshow tent -- Under canvas : African American tented minstrelsy and the untold story of Allen's New Orleans Minstrels, the Rabbit's Foot Company, the Florida Blossoms, and Silas Green from New Orleans

The explosion in popularity of ragtime music in the early part of the twentieth century opened up previously unthought-of opportunities for black performers. However, these opportunities were stymied by systematic racism at every turn. This volume closely traces the mass popularity of so-called coon songs during the early years of rag, to their eventual transformation into the original blues music listened to and loved by millions around the world