From 1970 to 1974, Ethel Raim and Martin Koenig conducted fieldwork for the Smithsonian Festival as program directors for Balkan and Slavic cultures. Their research brought them to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, and New York, as well as Yugoslavia and Greece. For Ethel and Martin, Ralph Rinzler's reputation preceded their meeting him. Raised on Folkways records and as music editor of Sing Out! Magazine, Ethel had heard about Ralph and his work with legendary artists Bill Monroe, the Balfa Brothers, and Doc Watson.