James P. Leary was born and raised in northern Wisconsin and, since the early 1970s, has focused his research on the folklore of the Upper Midwest's diverse peoples, with particular emphases on musical and narrative performances, on pluralism and creolization, and on public folklore. Leary earned a B.A. in Literature from the University of Notre Dame (1972), an M.A. in Folklore from the University of North Carolina (1973), and a Ph.D. in Folklore and American Studies from Indiana University (1977). Currently Professor of Folklore and Scandinavian Studies and Director of the Folklore Program at the University of Wisconsin, Leary has done research and production for numerous festivals, museum exhibits, radio programs, documentary sound recordings, and films regarding the folk artistry of Upper Midwesterners. His publications include Minnesota Polka , Yodeling in Dairyland: A History of Swiss Music in Wisconsin , Down Home Dairyland (with Richard March),So Ole Says to Lena: Folk Humor of the Upper Midwest, Polkabilly: How the Goose island Ramblers Redefined American Folk Music, and Wisconsin Folklore .