Jerry Zolten

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Jerry Zolten is an American writer and advocate of roots music. He is known as the author of a book tracing the 75-plus year career of the African-American Dixie Hummingbirds gospel group and their influence on both sacred and secular music. He is an associate professor at Penn State University.

Zolten was also instrumental in resurrecting the career of The Fairfield Four, producing two CDs, Wreckin' the House/Live at Mt. Hope I (Dead Reckoning) and, by their bass singer Isaac Freeman, Beautiful Stars (Lost Highway). Among his public radio productions are Chimpin' the Blues [1], a history of early blues and pre-blues co-hosted with underground cartoonist Robert Crumb, In the Spirit [2], a history of African American gospel music, and Boppin' With Pekar [3], an overview of jazz history with Harvey Pekar of American Splendor and special guest, artist Phoebe Gloeckner.