The eye-popping cost of eggs has some people thinking about raising their own chickens. Zack Harold brings us the story of one woman who has spent the last decade trying to make that easier in West Virginia.
“Play God and Destroy the World” is the opening track from Amythyst Kiah’s new album, Still + Bright. The album follows 2021’s Wary + Strange, and features guest spots by S.G. Goodman, Billy Strings and others.
Amythyst Kiah spoke with Inside Appalachia from her home in Johnson City, Tennessee.
Nappy By Nature Hair Salon
A normal day at Nappy By Nature Salon with sisters styling hair with their daughters. From left to right: Tunisia Beatty, Rakyra Bonner, Tina Beatty and Robin Bonner.
Photo Credit: Traci Phillips/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
We spend a lot of our lives at home or at work, but there are other spots that are just as important to who we are. They’re Third Places.
A third place can be a coffee shop or a basketball court, or any place where people get together and connect. In Black communities, hair salons can be spaces where women feel united and accepted.
Folkways Reporter Traci Phillips takes us to a hair salon in Charleston, West Virginia’s west side.
Filipino Hospitality With A North Carolina Flair
Hidden away from the main streets of Asheville, Neng Jr.’s is getting noticed nationally.
Photo Credit: Margaret McLeod Leef/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Asheville, North Carolina, is known as one of Appalachia’s cultural hubs — and that extends to the city’s dining scene. But Asheville was hit hard by Hurricane Helene. Dozens of its restaurants and bars were drowned in water, mud and debris.
Some may never reopen, while others are beginning to find their way back — including Neng, Jr’s, which serves up Filipino cuisine. After several months of hard work, Neng Jr.’s reopened in January.
Last Spring, Folkways Reporter Margaret McLeod Leef found her way to the restaurant, which is tucked away in an alley. She brought us this story.
Torli Bush’s Book, Requiem For A Redbird
Requiem for a Redbird by Torli Bush.
Courtesy Photo
There is a rich tradition of Black Appalachian poets and writers. One of the newest is Torli Bush, who grew up in Webster Springs, West Virginia.
Bush has won poetry slams in the region, and now has a new book, Requiem for a Redbird. Producer Bill Lynch spoke with Bush about the book.
——-
Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Amythyst Kiah, John Blissard, Jett Holden, The Local Honeys, Jeff Ellis and Dinosaur Burps.
Bill Lynch is our producer. Abby Neff is our associate producer. Eric Douglas is our executive producer. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our Audio Mixer is Patrick Stephens. We had help this week from Folkways Editor Jennifer Goren.
You can send us an email: InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.
The eye-popping cost of eggs has some people thinking about raising their own chickens. Zack Harold brings us the story of one woman who has spent the last decade trying to make that easier in West Virginia.
On this episode of The Legislature Today, the House of Delegates passed a bill Tuesday that would allow data centers to establish microgrids — self-contained sites that generate their own power. The bill is one of Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s legislative priorities. It is also of interest to Chris Hamilton, president of the West Virginia Coal Association. Our Energy & Environment Reporter Curtis Tate speaks with Hamilton about issues the coal industry is facing at home and abroad.
The last few years have seen a new wave of indie rock music emerging from the Mountain South. It’s distinguished by a Southern rock sound, and lyrics drawn from observations about living in the region. We’re talking about acts like Wednesday and MJ Lenderman — and Fust, a group that’s based in Durham, North Carolina with deep Appalachian roots. Fust has a new album. It’s called “Big Ugly.” Inside Appalachia Host Mason Adams recently spoke with Fust singer and songwriter Aaron Dowdy.