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I posted a thread over on the Knoxville thread..and it really took off and became successful. It's inspired me to find out more about the entire Appalachian region and the music tradition.
It seemed at one time, another generation...people knew their musical instruments and were avid, amazing musicians...giving us a rich musical tradition.
Is some of that still alive in WV? Sounds like Knoxville is Americana, Kentucky is bluegrass. How about WV? Is music still something strongly in the culture?
I posted a thread over on the Knoxville thread..and it really took off and became successful. It's inspired me to find out more about the entire Appalachian region and the music tradition.
It seemed at one time, another generation...people knew their musical instruments and were avid, amazing musicians...giving us a rich musical tradition.
Is some of that still alive in WV? Sounds like Knoxville is Americana, Kentucky is bluegrass. How about WV? Is music still something strongly in the culture?
American culture is blessed with an amazing variety (in depth, breadth, and quality) of musical traditions. I can assure you that traditional Appalachian music is alive and well throughout the mountains, and especially in West Virginia. But, the music "industry" is largely centered in Nashville... not in Knoxville.
People had to create their own entertainment before tv was invented. All of my elders could/can play multiple instruments. The guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and harmonica, are never dusty. Mom sits in with the piano and organ, and my Uncle is thrilled with his modern keyboard.
Bluegrass is alive, but not embraced much by the younger set. I know whole families that are all talented bluegrass pickers, sometimes they even let me bring my old dobro and join in. It's not often I'm asked to bring my trumpet. In season, it's not hard to find outdoor bluegrass festivals to fill your weekends.
My youngest plays guitar and trombone, his son is learning the trumpet this year, my nephew is on the saxophone.
There's a radio station that I can only pick up from the farm, it's all traditional bluegrass and the music fits where I am. We have family gatherings at the farmhouse and haven't felt the need to reconnect the tv and telephone there for some reason. There's a large barn in that neighborhood, built specifically for Friday night 'sings', the attitude is y'all come, and bring everyone. If you don't come, they might just come and drag you. If you say you have work to do, they may help get it done so you can join in. Strangers are welcomed.
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My apologies for getting carried away below. I'll remove the Youtube links if they are creating problems with this post.
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Goose Creek Symphony was a favorite in the 70s, they're not your average bluegrass band, however. After all, they do have a set of drums and electricity most of the time, with a piano, organ, saxophone, and horn. Fun lyrics with a bit of a message and great pickin', their songs include a mix of traditional bluegrass, country, and country rock. Last I heard, the band still makes appearances in West Virginia.
Uncle Pen, In My Father's Likeness, Broken Goose Creek Down, Whupin' It, The Gospel, You Get a Line, Miana and Me, Rush on Love, Cindy, The Light of Love, Hot Dog Daddy, Back Here, I Won't Go Through That Again, Higher on the Mountain (incorrect title and the correct one escapes me), Finale for a Symphony (this is 'Higher on the Mountain'), Goin' Home, These Hills..Ode to Flea Bob, Still Dumb, Fitful Sleep, Oso Special, Sally Goodin, Don't Classify Me, Saturday Night at the Grange, The World We're Livin' in Today, Mercedes Benz, :
I'll admit to getting a little choked up during These Hills - Ode to Flea Bob.
Had to sign up to get more than three songs, I thought it was worthwhile, and it's free to boot. Thanks for making me search, I may have found my favorite website!
Edit: Correction... I played nearly every song on my first visit to the Lala website . When I returned, it would only give me 30 second samples with an offer to buy MP3s.
Last edited by Two-Rivers; 01-18-2010 at 03:55 PM..
Reason: editing
I saw Goose Creek at Piedmont Park in Atlanta in the early 70's. I have that album.
Come to our Vandalia Gathering. I don't consider WV music bluegrass, but there are a lot of young pickers and fiddlers there. As well as old ones. Augusta Heritage is great too. Vandalia Gathering
If you live near Weston you can listen to bluegrass on WHAW AM 980 they have some fine stuff especially the show that airs 10-11am on Mondays. WOTR in Lost Creek 96.3 FM also has a lot of great bluegrass on the radio as well.
There is both a traditional mountain and a bluegrass following in West Virginia and sometimes they overlap. And, while the music isn't that popular (yet) with many young people it is starting to catch on some, especially in the Morgantown area. By the way... the Mountain Stage scheduled for March
21st. at the WVU Creative Arts Center in Morgantown will have the Grascals and Patty Loveless among others.
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Great Question!
