Question

Why did the banjo become popular in Appalachian music?

Answer 1

In fallout it said something about them being easy to make and that they were the soul of West Virginia.

Answer 2

The banjo spread from slave culture to the wider American culture through the blackface minstrel shows that first became popular among white audiences in the 1830’s and 1840’s. White rural musicians realized that the banjo made an effective accompaniment to the fiddle for square dance tunes, and for singing.

Hope this helps!