The Library of Congress has included Original Folkways Recordings of Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley, 1960-1962 in the most recent additions to the National Recording Registry. Each year since 2002, 25 recordings have been added based on their “cultural, artistic and historic importance to the nation’s aural legacy.”

Born in 1895, Appalachian musician Clarence Ashley’s earlier recordings were rediscovered in the 1950s through Harry Smith’s influential Anthology of American Folk Music. Ralph Rinzler later recorded Ashley along with the young, virtuosic guitarist Arthel “Doc” Watson. These recordings helped introduce the world to Watson and played an important role in the folk revival of the 1960s.

This is Smithsonian Folkways’ sixth recording on the National Recording Registry, which now includes 375 entries.

• “This Land is Your Land” by Woody Guthrie (2002)
• Anthology of American Folk Music compiled by Harry Smith (2005)
• Freight Train and Other North Carolina Folk Songs and Tunes by Elizabeth Cotten (2007)
• You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song by Ella Jenkins (2007)
• Talking Union by Pete Seeger, the Almanac Singers and the Song Swappers (2010)
• Original Folkways Recordings of Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley, 1960-1962) by Doc Watson and Clarence Ashley (2012)

Click here for the complete list of recordings added this year.