Murfreesboro, TN - WGNS’ Bart Walker recently uncovered a touching story that bridges generations through the enduring legacy of old-time music. It centers on 30-year-old Rutherford County native Daniel Taylor Rothwell, whose musical journey has been deeply shaped by the influence of Uncle Dave Macon—the first true superstar of the Grand Ole Opry.

Macon was born in 1870 in Smartt Station, Tennessee, David Harrison “Uncle Dave” Macon—also known as “The Dixie Dewdrop”—was a banjo virtuoso, vaudeville entertainer, and folk humorist who became the Opry’s first vocal star in 1926. His spirited performances and signature “clawhammer” banjo style helped bridge 19th-century folk traditions with the emerging sounds of country music in the early 20th century.

Rothwell, who grew up immersed in this musical heritage…his grandfather, Thomas Maupin, created a powerful impression on the infant’s mind…

Recently, Daniel was gifted a banjo once owned by Uncle Dave Macon. As the story unfolded, it was revealed that Rothwell had actually played that very banjo as a teenager years earlier…

Rothwell recalled the moment with emotion. Walker then drew a parallel to the classic hymn “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” noting how the circle of tradition continues to widen as it connects new generations to the roots of American music.

That circle came full swing during a special performance this past weekend, when Rothwell, banjo in hand, played in the traditional clawhammer style while his 87-year-old grandfather, Thomas Maupin—a national champion buck dancer and recipient of the National Heritage Fellowship—took the stage. The crowd was spellbound, witnessing not just a performance, but a living legacy.

Indeed, the circle remains unbroken—and from the heart of Rutherford County, its rhythm echoes far beyond.

Full Daniel Rothwell conversation with WGNS’ Bart Walker (June 14, 2025):

Here is the complete interview with Daniel Taylor Rothwell telling how he got the Uncle Dave Macon banjo, and how his grandfather, Thomas Maupin, National Champion Buck dancer and National Heritage Fellowship honoree, pushes young Daniel in a stroller to area festivals.

(NOTE: This moving moment in local musical history happened at a Celebration of Life remembrance for Thom Christy. Thom and his wife Gloria have a passion for preserving Uncle Dave Macon's impact on music then and now.)