Cahan, in 1981. The group performed at many folk festivals including the Smithsonian Institution's Festival of American Folklife and the National Folk Festival, and was wildly popular in their home county of Surry. In 1988, East received the Brown-Hudson Folklore Award from the North Carolina Folklore Society which honors individuals who contribute to the "appreciation, continuation, or study of North Carolina folk traditions" for his continuation of old-time folk music. In 1990, East received the North Carolina Folk Heritage Award, which honors North Carolina's most prominent folk artists. Earnest East died on January 8, 2000. Since his death, Mac Snow has kept up East's family's tradition of the New Year's square dance. East's music has continued to be an important representation of folk, and an important contribution to the continuation of North Carolina folk traditions. References 1916 births 2000 deaths American folk guitarists American male guitarists American folk singers Appalachian culture Singers from North Carolina Old-time musicians People from Surry County, North Carolina Musicians from Appalachia Country musicians from North Carolina 20th-century American guitarists 20th-century American singers Guitarists from North Carolina 20th-century American male musicians