Biography
Born around 1919 in Pulaski, Virginia, Matokie Slaughter developed an old-time style centered on clawhammer banjo that featured both upward and downward strokes. During the 1940s she performed regularly on local radio, though her infrequent vocals led many listeners to conclude that the player was male. A pair of appearances on County Records clawhammer banjo anthologies in the 1960s introduced her playing to the wider old-time community, after which she performed at numerous festivals and dedicated events. With her sister Virgie Worrell Richardson and Alice Gerrard she formed the Back Creek Buddies, whose album Saro appeared on Marimac Records in 1990. Matokie Slaughter died on December 31, 1999.