The Virginia-born Holland spoke four languages and was fascinated by European music, particularly the guitar, and helped popularize the instrument by publishing books on guitar music, how to play guitar based on traditional European styles, and arranging music for guitar. Holland was also a civil rights advocate who helped the Underground Railroad and spent his life working to bring African-Americans into mainstream American culture (Zick).
Francis "Frank" B. Johnson
(1792 -1844)
One of the very few popular and successful African-American musicians before the Civil War. He was the first African-American to have his work published as sheet music, the first to perform in public, the first to lead racially integrated concerts, and the first American of any race to lead a musical ensemble that presented concerts in other countries—including in England to celebrate the coronation of Queen Victoria. Despite racial animosities, Johnson’s popularity rivalled the white performers of the time (Zick).
