Tom Dooley is not a musical artist or band, but a popular American folk song often associated with artists like The Kingston Trio. The song, rooted in a 19th-century murder ballad from North Carolina, became a massive hit in 1958, propelling The Kingston Trio and the folk revival movement into the national spotlight. The Kingston Trio's version is known for its distinctive banjo accompaniment and tight, three-part vocal harmonies, setting a template for many subsequent folk groups. The song's popularity and influence on folk music are undeniable, contributing significantly to the genre's resurgence in the mid-20th century.