Jan Davidson

Jan Davidson was the longest-serving director of the John C. Campbell Folk School, the oldest and largest folk school in the United States.

Biography Davidson grew up in Murphy, North Carolina. He learned to play music as a kid by watching people who played at local gas stations. Davidson sings and plays guitar, banjo, harmonica, dulcimer, autoharp, and fiddle, and worked at Pinewoods Camp as a staff member. One of his songs was recorded by Pete Seeger. Davidson received his Master of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His minor was folklore. In 1968 he traveled to Sweden as a UNC campus ambassador. He also studied folklore at the University of Edinburgh. Davidson was one of the creators of the off-Broadway musical "Diamond Studs: The Life of Jesse James," which premiered at Westside Theatre in 1975. He also performed in the cast. For two years he toured as the musical director for the show "Appalachia Sounding." In 1980, Davidson's play "Rise and Fight Again," won the Guliford Prize and was staged at Carolina Theatre.

In 1981, Davidson served as the first artist in residence for Brunswick Community College and helped to set up the Brunswick Arts Council. Jan married his wife, Nanette, by 1982. Davidson served on the North Carolina Arts Council around 1992.

Davidson joined the staff of the John C. Campbell Folk School as director in 1992. He co-produced the documentary “Sing Behind the Plow” with UNC-TV. The film earned nominations for two regional Emmy awards.