This week, ballads tell stories about all kinds of real-life events, but after Hurricane Helene, one group of ballad singers felt some topics were still too raw. Also, the author of a new book on ancient Ohio credits a former grad student with introducing him to the region’s mysterious earthworks. And, the legacy of Affrilachian poet Norman Jordan includes a summer camp for teens to study their heritage.
Television Premiere: "Traveling the Mountain Music Trail"
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West Virginia Public Broadcasting is proud to announce the premiere broadcast of “Traveling the Mountain Music Trail,” a 30 minute travelogue guiding viewers through the five-county region of eastern West Virginia that makes up the “Mountain Music Trail.”
Watch “Traveling the Mountain Music Trail” on Sunday, April 3 at 7p.m. and again on Friday, April 15 at 10:30p.m.
The culmination of a year-long collaboration with “Wild, Wonderful West Virginia” and producers from WVPB and “Mountain Stage,” the project also includes an interactive digital map that showcases vignettes, musicians, venues and other points of interest specific to Monroe, Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Randolph and Tucker counties.
“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 this program 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.
Credit Vasilia Scouras
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The Hans Creek String Band performs at a Monroe County Ruritan Picnic.
This week’s Inside Appalachia features storytellers from around the region, including author, television host and five-time West Virginia Liars Contest winner Bil Lepp. Here he is back in 2019, telling a story during a Mountain Stage performance at the West Virginia Culture Center.
The WVPB News Department was honored with Overall Excellence in the Radio Small Market category. Us & Them, which is hosted by Trey Kay, was honored with Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the episode Us & Them: Black West Virginians With Substance Use Disorder Face Unique Challenges. Regional winners automatically move on to the national round for consideration.
Our Song of the Week is “The False Lady,” performed by Dublin-born singer-songwriter and guitarist John Doyle and Manchester-born flute, whistle, and uilleann pipes maestro Michael McGoldrick.
