During the summer and fall of 1981 Appalachian State students Deborah Thompson and Randi Silnutzer traveled throughout southern West Virginia documenting the musical culture local to the area in and around Summers County. The project resulted in 23 hours of oral histories and music featuring musicians versed in the traditions of gospel, old time fiddle tunes, bluegrass, and country. Musicians recorded included Ralph and Rhodetta Jones, Ernie Davis, Elva Johnson, Eddie Cales, Joe Meadows, Mabel and Michelle McCoin, Jim Costa, Terry Upton, Josh Arnold, Kathleen Lilly, and Herman Lively. The collection also contains recordings of community events such as the Summers County Singing Convention and the Community Benefit Concert at Jumping Branch Elementary School. AC.202: Summers County, West Virginia Music Project presents a number of oral histories and performances which capture the musical heritage of the central and southern portions of the Appalachian region.
Picture of a tape and its transcript
