Wild, Wonderful West Virginia and Mountain Stage, in Collaboration with Local Partners, to Host Mountain Music Trail Vignette Premieres
Series of videos promote West Virginia’s musical heritage in five counties along U.S. Route 219.
PREVIEW: https://youtu.be/LofHtA8I-pk
Charleston, WV, (September 25, 2015) — Wild, Wonderful West Virginia and Mountain Stage– a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting–in collaboration with local partners will host a series of video premiere events showcasing venues and musicians along the Mountain Music Trail during the month of October.
“We are thrilled to come together with Mountain Stage and local partners to showcase the Mountain Music Trail,” Commissioner of Tourism Amy Shuler Goodwin said. “Music is a significant part of West Virginia’s cultural identity and these videos will encourage folks to not only explore the Mountain Music Trail, but other destinations along Route 219 as well.”
The Mountain Music Trail consists of venues throughout five counties in eastern West Virginia that came together to promote and present the traditional music, dance, and folkways of the Allegheny Mountain region. Several months ago, the West Virginia Public Broadcasting production team took to the road to capture the essence of the trail which runs through Tucker, Randolph, Pocahontas, Greenbrier and Monroe counties as part of a partnership between Wild, Wonderful West Virginia and Mountain Stage, a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting to promote the Mountain Music Trail.
“This partnership with Wild, Wonderful West Virginia allowed us the opportunity to meet the people who make up these colorful communities all along the Mountain Music Trail,” Associate Producer of Mountain Stage Vasilia Scouras said. “We are honored and excited to help showcase the cultural traditions and musical landscape that make this mountainous 200-mile heritage trail one of a kind and unique to West Virginia.”
All Mountain Music Trail premiere events are free and open to the public. Each will feature local food and a Mountain Music Trail Sampler featuring local musicians and bands.
UPCOMING PREMIERE DATES
Thursday, October 8, 6:30 p.m.
Pocahontas County Opera House
818 Third Ave.
Marlinton, WV 24954
Performances by:
Sugar Run: Music rooted in traditional Appalachian, bluegrass, old-time, ancient ballads and Cajun. Sugar Run’s songs of humor and peppy fiddle riffs are suitable for flat-footin’, square dancing, and foot tapping. More info: https://www.sugarrunband.com/
The Elk River Ramblers: The Elk River Inn’s house band plays with a foundation in old-time and celtic music, but also branches out into bluegrass, klezmer, and contemporary pop. More info: https://www.reverbnation.com/theelkriverramblers
The Young and Restless Pickers: A young group of students led by Trevor Hammons, the youngest in a long-line of old-time musicians in Pocahontas County, like to pick on old-time tunes with traditional instruments.
Contact: Cara Rose, Pocahontas County CVB, 304-799-4636, crose@pocahontascountywv.com
Wednesday, October 14, TBA
Augusta Heritage Center
Timm’s Lounge, lower level of Madden Student Center
Davis & Elkins College
100 Campus Dr.
Elkins, WV 26241
Performances by:
Jesse Milnes and Emily Miller: The duo performs country and old-time music, singing close harmony with Jesse’s unique finger-picked guitar style and a healthy dose of old-time fiddling. More info: https://www.emmyandjesse.com/
Davis & Elkins Appalachian Ensemble: This student performance group presents traditional music and dance from the Appalachian region and beyond, ranging from old-time, jazz and Irish music with flatfooting, tap dancing and harmonizing to go along with their different styles. More info: https://www.facebook.com/appalachianensemble
Contact: Brenda Pritt, Randolph County CVB, 304-636-2780, bpritt@randolphcountycvb.com
Thursday, October 15, 7 p.m.
The Purple Fiddle
21 East Ave.
Thomas, WV 26292
Performances by:
Rebecca Wudarski- The bouncing, bright and lively folk music honors the integrity and musicianship of traditional music while offering modern offbeat songwriting and beautiful gutsy arrangements of old folk favorites. More info: https://www.rebeccawudarski.com/
Aurora Celtic – Old-time, original and traditional music for guitar, fiddle, Irish flute, whistle, mandolin and tenor banjo that bridges the cultures of Scotland, Ireland and Appalachia. More info: https://www.auroracelticmusic.com/
Contact: Jessica Scowcroft, Tucker County CVB, 304-259-5315, jessica@canaanvalley.org
Wednesday, October 21, 6:30 p.m.
Ames Clair Hall (operated by the Monroe Co. Historical Society)
65 North St.
Union, WV 24983
Performance by:
The Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys One of West Virginia’s longest-running bluegrass bands which showcases traditional bluegrass banjo playing, sweet mandolin strumming and vocals that have become the group’s signature sound. More info: https://mountainmusictrail.com/the-black-mountain-bluegrass-boys/
Contact: Allison Tomlinson, WVU Extension Service, 304-772-3003, info@travelmonroe.com
Thursday, October 22, 6:30 p.m.
Carnegie Hall
105 Church St.
Lewisburg, WV 24901
Performance by:
Black King Coal- Songs range from 50s style rock and roll to country anthems all with a West Virginian twist that will have you stomping and clapping the whole way through. More info: https://www.facebook.com/blackingcoal
Contact: Beth Gill, Greenbrier County CVB, 304-645-1000, bgill@greenbrierwv.com
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This post was last updated on September 25, 2015