The story behind Grandpa Jones Ginseng Hoe

Grandpa Jones Ginseng Hoe - photo by Jessica Bray

Kentucky natives, Grandpa Jones and the banjo-picking comedian David "Stringbean" Akeman, were nationally famous entertainers, and close friends.  They lived near one another in a rural area a few miles north of Nashville.

They hunted and fished together for years, and they also roamed the mountains in search of ginseng, the mystic herb which has for generations been dug in the Southern Appalachian Mountains and exported mainly to China, where it was (and is) highly prized - and very expensive.

This is the hoe which belonged to Stringbean, and which he and Grandpa carried on their journeys into the mountains digging "sang."  Early one morning, Grandpa went to "String's" house for such a trip and discovered the brutally murdered bodies of both String and his wife.  (Grandpa later commented, "It was a tragedy that sent shock waves among old-time music people across the country.")  One of the items found on the person of Stringbean was a check in the amount of $27.00 which he had received for some ginseng he had sold.

After the murders, a public auction was held at the home place - so close to the Jones' home that Ramona could hear the chant of the auctioneer.  Grandpa had gone hunting, and the person handling the estate called and told her to come up and get any personal items she wanted.  She choose the frying pan that they had used to fry the fish they caught together, and she choose this this ginseng hoe as a remembrance of the times String and Grandpa went digging ginseng.  Grandpa was pleased and kept it all these years but never used it again.  (This 'sang hoe was given to me by Grandpa in January, 1993.)

These days, the ginseng hoe is on display at the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, Tennessee, along with many other artifacts of musicians throughout Appalachia.  More information on the museum can be found by going to www.museumofappalachia.org.  Be sure to check out our story behind Grandpa Jones' shotgun that is on display by clicking here.

The wooden tree swing

Remember the days of our childhood when we could sit in a swing and let our troubles and worries drift away? There was always someone there to push you along at first until you learned how to do things in life by yourself. No matter how old you get, there will always be someone to push you along in life, whether it be your parents, step-parents, siblings, friends, spouse, or someone else. You are never alone in this thing called life.

Who are the Coon Creek Girls?

Coon Creek Girls - Photo by famed Berea, KY photographer Coley Ogg

When you think of Appalachian mountain music, you cannot help but think of the Coon Creek Girls.  The Coon Creek Girls were an all-female string band based out of Kentucky.

Founding member was Lily Mae Ledford, born in Pilot, Kentucky.  Ledford learned to play on an old discarded fiddle belonging to "Gran'pappy Tackett," who was a famous old-time fiddler of the Kentucky mountains, as was her father, White Ledford. She told the story of how she made her first fiddle bow from a willow switch and a generous portion of the tail of "Ole Maudie," "Gran'pappy's" white mare.

Lily Mae Ledford had formed the Red River Ramblers with her sister, Rosie, and brother, Cayden.  After auditioning for talent scouts in 1935, Lily May Ledford was asked to appear on the famous WLS Chicago Barn Dance.  It was there that John Lair took interest in becoming her manager.  John Lair would also become the founder of Renfro Valley Barn Dance.

When John Lair moved on to Renfro Valley, he wanted to manage an all female string band with Lily May Ledford as the lead.  Lily May Ledford would become one of the founding members of the Renfro Valley Barn Dance.  That original group of the Coon Creek Girls were Lily May Ledford, her sister Rosie, as well as Evelyn "Daisy" Lange, and Esther "Violet" Koehler.  Evelyn and Esther received their nicknames to keep up with the flower name theme.  Lily May Ledford played unique tuning and claw-hammered style of banjo.  Rosie Ledford played guitar, Violet on mandolin, and Daisy on bass.

The Coon Creek Girls made their debut on October 9, 1937 from the Cincinnati Music Hall.  They would begin performing on the Renfro Valley Barn Dance and would do so for fifteen years.  

They would produce their first album in 1938 on the Vocalion label in Chicago.  One of their most popular songs was "How Many Biscuits Can You Eat?"  They were even invited to perform at the White House in 1939 for the King and Queen of England and President and Mrs. Roosevelt.

The group would disband as Evelyn Lange and Esther Koehler would move to Dallas the following year.

Never to give up, Lily Mae and her sister, Rosie, were joined by their sister, Minnie, known as "Black Eyed Susan."  They continued to perform together with others until around 1957.  Lily Mae Ledford continued on as a solo act until her passing in 1985.

During the 1980s, John Lair created the New Coon Creek Girls.  They included Pam Gadd on banjo & guitar; Wanda Barnett on guitar & fiddle; Vicki Simmons on bass & banjo; and Pam Perry Combs on mandolin & guitar.  They continue to perform throughout Kentucky and the Appalachian region.

In 2004, the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame honored the Coon Creek Girls by inducting them into their Hall of Fame.  There is also a display of the group at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Renfro Valley, Kentucky.  Needless to say, they made a huge impact in the world of Appalachian Music, as well as the beginning of Kentucky country music history.  Below is a video of them performing, "How Many Biscuits Can You Eat?"

Dolly Parton proves to be the Rhinestone Queen of Country Music with Kentucky tour stop

Dolly Parton at Norton Center for the Arts - photo by Jessica Bray

From the moment she took the stage at the Norton Center for the Arts Tuesday night, Dolly Parton was full of sass and sparkle for her only Kentucky performance on the Pure & Simple tour.  Needless to say, music fans went through a musical journey with stories and jokes told by the Rhinestone Queen.

Pine Mountain State Resort Park to host 40th Annual Great American Dulcimer Convention

Pine Mountain State Park will be hosting the 40th Annual Great American Dulcimer Convention on September 23-24, 2016.  This long running musical event is made up of both free learning workshops during the day Saturday and must-see evening concerts Friday & Saturday. Come early on September 24 and enjoy the Frontier Night Buffet in the park’s Mountain View Restaurant as well, featuring buffalo and elk entrees.

Watch the funeral for Dr. Ralph Stanley

Special thanks to WYMT of Hazard, Kentucky, for airing the funeral for Dr. Ralph Stanley.  They have graciously uploaded the service on Youtube.  Below is that video.  

Dr. Ralph Edmond Stanley, age 89 passed away Thursday, June 23, 2016 at his residence. He was a lifelong resident of Dickenson County and was of the Primitive Baptist Faith. He was a 1945 graduate of Ervinton High School and a World War II Veteran of the United States Army. Dr. Stanley was a member of the Clintwood Masonic Lodge #66 and a member of the Kazim Shrine in Roanoke, Virginia . He was preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Lucy Jane Stanley; four brothers, Carter Stanley, Morgan Stanley, Lansing Stanley, and Doc Stanley; four sisters, Ruby Rakes Eubank, Buford Tate, Georgia Armes, and Hattie Stanley; several nieces and nephews, and many loyal Clinch Mountain Boys.

Survivors Include:
His Wife: Jimmi Stanley

Two Daughters: Lisa Joy Stanley Marshall and her husband, Bryan, and Tonya Carletta Stanley Armes and husband Jason.

One Son: Ralph Edmond Stanley II and wife, Kristi

One Step Son: Michael Ray Cheek and wife Tonya
One Brother: Freddie Stanley and wife, Joan of Abingdon, Virginia

Seven Grandchildren: Amber Dawn Stanley, Nathan Edmond Stanley, Evan Matthew Stout, Alexis Faith Marshall, Ashley Hope Marshall, Taylor Brooke Stanley, and Ralph Edmond Stanley III

One Great Granddaughter: Makenzie Paige Stanley

The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at the Hills of Home Park, Smith Ridge Section, McClure, Virginia at 5:00 p.m with a Masonic Service to begin at 6:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow with Frank Newsome and Eva Murphy officiating. VFW Post 8979 will conduct a VFW graveside service with entombment to follow.  Fans are asked to bring a lawn chair if they plan on attending the services.

Pallbearers will be Nathan Stanley, Bryan Marshall, Walter Carlton, Evan Stout, Jason Armes, Ralph Stanley II, and Ralph Stanley III.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Ricky Skaggs, Josh Turner, Jim Lauderdale, Dewey Brown, Ralph Murphy, Bobby Hammons, and any Clinch Mountain Boy present.


In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shriner’s Childrens’ Hospital or St. Judes.

Appalachian music and heritage has always been strong through Ralph Stanley.  He embraced the mountains, the people, and the music.  For 70 years, he stood on stage performing, with most of those years accompanied by his clawhammer banjo picking.  The skies are weeping in the mountains of Virginia as we say goodbye to the legend that passed away on June 23, 2016 at the age of 89.

The Angel Band has called up Ralph Stanley

Dr. Ralph Stanley

Back in 1998, I was fortunate to go to Poppy Mountain Bluegrass Festival with some college friends.  My main mission - to meet Ralph Stanley.  I got to see the frail looking man in a suit, a roll of money nestled in his front pocket, sitting at a merchandise table.  He would talk to anyone that wanted to talk and sign anything that he had for sale.  I was able to purchase a cd, shake his hand, and tell my friends that I got to meet Ralph Stanley.  Later on, he would stand up on the stage with his band, the Clinch Mountain Boys, to sing pure Appalachian gospel and bluegrass tunes that resonated among the crowd.

A couple of years later, I continued to travel to bluegrass festivals in the summer and write more for the college newspaper on music.  I became friends with guitarist, James Alan Shelton, who allowed me to do an interview with Ralph Stanley.  In the summer of 2001, it was blazing hot at the Shriners Bluegrass Festival in Olive Hill, Kentucky.  It would be the first interview that I would conduct with someone in music and it was with Ralph Stanley.  I was doing quite a bit of research on bluegrass music for papers and presentations in college.  The movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou" was a hit on the silverscreen and bluegrass saw a resurgence of listeners and fans.  We spoke about the connection of bluegrass and movies.  Needless to say, I learned quite a bit from Mr. Stanley that day.  Ralph, along with the Clinch Mountain Boys, all signed the coversheet of one of my research papers, much to my surprise.  I did get an A+ on that particular paper.

Later on, Ralph Stanley would perform at Renfro Valley Entertainment Center over the years.  James Alan Shelton said I always had a standing invitation to come out and see them.  I took him up on that offer one cold December evening when they played in the Old Barn.  Afterwards, Ralph Stanley would sit at the merchandise table shaking hands, signing autographs, and greeting fans.  He would sign my mandolin that is now hanging on the wall at my house.

Many fans can tell you that seeing Ralph Stanley sing put a haunted eerie feeling over the crowd.  Everyone would be silenced by the reverend vocal style of Ralph Stanley booming through the speakers.  It didn't matter what music style you liked, but you would easily turn your heard and listen to what he would sing.  It is rare to see someone on stage take command with performing the traditional Baptist hymns.  

Appalachian music and heritage has always been strong through Ralph Stanley.  He embraced the mountains, the people, and the music.  For 70 years, he stood on stage performing, with most of those years accompanied by his clawhammer banjo picking.  The skies are weeping in the mountains of Virginia as we say goodbye to the legend that passed away on June 23, 2016 at the age of 89.

Why I love my hometown of London, Kentucky

McHargue's Mill at Levi Jackson State Park - photo by Jessica Bray

Recently, a young lady, Leslie Smith, wrote some rather harsh things about my hometown of London, Kentucky.  I'm honestly not sure what her reasoning behind the article, but it was full of a fairy tale fantasy of the real life of London, without any solutions to what she portrayed as issues.

Years ago, I left London to attend college at Berea College.  Upon graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in hand, I had a job opportunity in the larger city of Lexington.  I would soon move to Versailles and lived there for 5 years.  However, my heartstrings pulled me back home to London because that is where my family called home.  In fact, whenever someone asked me where I was from, I always said London, Kentucky.  No matter where I roamed, London was always home.

Let's explore Ms. Smith's "factoids" that she presented with the truth:

#1: "London was a small town, definitely not the smallest of course, but was indeed one of the poorest."  According to the American Community Survey from Census.gov, in 2014 28.6% of the population within the city limits of London was below poverty level in the past 12 months. Out of 540 cities listed by the Census, 140 cities were even higher percentage.  So, really, London is not one of the poorest.  Laurel County as a whole had 23.3% of the population below poverty level in the past 12 months in 2014.  Laurel County ranked 75 out of 120 counties in Kentucky. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

#2: "smaller glimmer of hope to escape the small mile radius of those city limits."

Do they not teach geography and geometry with measure of units in high school?  London city limits stretches quite a bit.  Looking at the maps on the Kentucky Cabinet Transportation website, starting with Hal Rogers Parkway (KY-80) from the intersection with KY-192 (about milepoint 4.021) to Ridings Mitchell Creek Road near Exit 41 (milepoint 9.975 ), that makes the city limits to be 5.954 miles.  Then let's go from KY-192 where it intersects at I-75 (milepoint 18.19) to where it ends at KY-80 (milepoint 21.821), making the city limits to be 3.631 miles. I could add more streets, but I think you get the point that we have more than 1 mile radius of the city limits.

London City Limits - from Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

#3: "Growing up in a small, Eastern Kentucky town meant nobody grew up in neighborhoods, we all grew up in hollers and everybody had an uncle that was in jail for making meth."

You cannot drive along a stretch of road without seeing subdivisions, from Cross Keys to Crooked Creek to Sunshine Hills.  Over the years, many farms that use to raise tobacco, hay, corn, cattle, and more were sold off to build into small communities.  East Bernstadt has its own Independent School system with houses surrounding it.  Sublimity area is full of houses surrounded.  What about Keavy, Hazel Green, Lily, and so much more? Those areas had their own high school until everything grew fast to form Laurel County High School and eventually North Laurel and South Laurel.  By the way, please name one holler in London.  I'm sitting here looking at a map of all of the little map dots in Laurel County.  I have yet to see "holler" behind any of them.  However, I can tell you that Butcher Holler is over in eastern Kentucky and was home of Loretta Lynn.  As far as everybody had an uncle in jail for meth, I have quite a few uncles and not one of them has spent time in jail, nor made meth.

#4: "…education was simply not a priority in London, Kentucky.."

One look at the Laurel County Schools website, you will see the following headlines:

* McDaniel Learning Center Named in State Top Programs

* South Laurel FCCLA "Environmental Ambassadors" win State--Headed to Nationals!

* North Laurel Environthon Team Wins State--Going to Nationals!

* SLMS Band to Perform at KMEA State Conference

* SLHS Teacher Wendell Worley named to Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame

* SLMS Academic Team Advances to State

* Three Laurel County Teachers Receive Campbellsville Excellence in Teaching Award

Also, 74.3% of those that were of school age graduated with a high school diploma or higher from the 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.  If education was not a priority, would we have award winning teachers, students, and a high percentage of those graduating from high school?  Also, students now have the opportunity to receive college credits for free while in high school thanks to partnerships with Somerset Community College, as well as our newly built Center for Innovation.

Also from Laurel County Schools website, "U.S. News and World Report annually selects the highest achieving U.S. schools. Using the 2014-2015 completion data they began by evaluating 28,561 public high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia according to a comprehensive ranking methodology. Among those ranked, North Laurel High School qualified to receive the Silver Ribbon which made them eligible for a state ranking. Of the 92 Kentucky schools selected, NLHS ranked number 27."  (But then again, Ms. Smith says that education is not a priority.)

#5: "A mere 250-something students, including myself, managed to walk across the makeshift stage in our gymnasium to receive our diplomas..." 
I honestly don't know if she tried to make it as though we put up a flatbed trailer and have graduates walk across. From the photos below, you can see that the stages at the 2016 North Laurel High School and 2016 South Laurel High School graduation ceremonies were very tastefully done.  Did she expect pyro fireworks as each student's name was called out?  You might also note that students did NOT receive their diplomas on the stage.  Instead, they received them in front of the stage.

North Laurel High School 2016 Graduation

South Laurel High School 2016 Graduation

Ms. Smith also mentions that there were over 200 to drop out of her class upon graduation.  If that was the case, then why does the US Census show that the enrollment from 2010 to 2014 increased from 2083 to 3023 for those enrolled in high school?  That is 940 students in 10 years added.

Why did I move back to London?

For those of us that moved away and came back, there are many reasons as to why.  Not only was my family here, but you had the best sense of community.  When someone's family passes away, you can bet there will be a crowd to pay their respects, to call and check on the spouse and children, and offer to help in any way.  My family experienced that with the loss of several loved ones over the years.  Your neighbors stop by and mow the lawn or offer to watch the children because they care.

Our town of London hosts a lot of free events for everyone to enjoy.  We have a strong London Downtown group, as well as Chamber of Commerce.  From 5k walks, car shows, parades, live concerts, and well even the World Chicken Festival, we form a community to spend time with each other.  We just celebrated our 80th Laurel County Homecoming last year. 

Thanks to the Restaurant Sales Tax, our community was able to rebuild the Rotary Park to include children with disabilities.  There are plans for a dog park, as well as more walking paths.  We also have a Wellness Park that has a skate park, splash pad, swings, walking paths and more.  Levi Jackson State Park will also have a new Treetop Aerial Adventure Park coming soon.

Car Show in London, Kentucky - photo by Jessica Bray

Any time a family is in need or has a hardship, strangers will stop what they are doing and lend a hand or donate.  When several students were afflicted with cancer over the last few years, our community came together with cookouts, car washes, t-shirt sales, and more to help the financial burden of medical bills.

In my community, when a hearse carrying someone's loved one passes on any road, you can bet that every car stops to pay their respects.  In the years I lived in Lexington, no one did that because they were too busy living their own life.

I love the quirkiness of London and telling people where I'm from.  I always make sure to let them know that we are the Cycling Capital of Kentucky and host the Redbud Ride to over 1000 bicyclists worldwide.  The honeybun was invented here.  Singer songwriter, Darrell Scott is from here.  He wrote "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive," that fellow Kentuckian, Patty Loveless made famous.  London is the hometown of several athletes, doctors, musicians, politicians, writers, and much more.

London is very historic with Levi Jackson State Park, as well many historic trails that run through the town, including the Boone Trace and Wilderness Road.  Russell Dyche was instrumental of a lot of improvements in Laurel County.

Our job force is pretty strong as many business have relocated to London.  We have AISIN Automotive, London Cookie Factory, Wal-mart Distribution Center, and so many other industry.  London is also a great place to start a small family owned business.  Several long serving restaurants include Weaver's Hot Dogs, Dairy Dart, and the BP Auto Truck Stop (definitely stop by there for some good home cooking if you are coming down I-75.)

Furthermore, how can one not forget about the beautiful views of London and Laurel County?  It is always fun to take a drive down to Laurel Lake or any of the back roads to see the pure beauty that nature has given us.  The sounds of birds chirping away as you sit on your front porch are more peaceful than the hustle and bustle of a larger city.

Laurel County barn - photo by Jessica Bray

Hopefully Ms. Smith will learn that it doesn’t pay to write such fiction of a hometown that many of us have grown to love, and come back to even when we moved away.  While yes, we do have some that are afflicted with drugs, domestic violence, and other crimes, London is a good community to live in.  Our people are passionate and are willing to lend an extra hand no matter how big or small the need.

If you are from London, what are your favorite things about our community?

Appalshop to celebrate 30th anniversary of Seedtime on the Cumberland

On June 3-4th, Seedtime on the Cumberland continues its annual tradition of bringing musical entertainment in the mountains of southeastern Kentucky.  Hosted by Appalshop, the event is free and open to the public at the Appalashop headquarters in Whitesburg, Kentucky.

Scheduled to perform include Lee Sexton, Jericho Woods, Amythyst Kiah, Chris King, Larry Sigmon and Martha Spencer, The Local Honeys, Michael & Carrie Kline, Nikos Pappas, Sam Gleaves, Saro Lynch Thomason, The Price Sisters, Kevin Howard, Brett Ratliff, Bill & The Belles, and Sunrise Ridge.

Seedtime on the Cumberland furthers Appalshop’s mission through the presentation and broadcasting of Appalshop’s work to the general public intensively over one weekend each year. Seedtime’s goal is to "be a mirror for the mountain people and communities. To remind folks here of our cultural riches and traditions of the true vine that make this region vibrant and always growing. Seedtime on the Cumberland brings the arts of the community to the community, and, by broadcasting this festival live on the airwaves of WMMT and on the internet at www.wmmt.org, we present ourselves to the entire world."

Friday's schedule starts at 5:00 p.m. on the Main Stage with Rich Kirby & Nate Polly, Kevin Howard, Nikos Pappas, Sunrise Ridge, Bill & The Belles, and Brett Ratliff closing it out at 10:00 p.m.  In the Cowan Community Theatre, there will be a screening of "After Coal" by Tom Hansell.

Saturday's schedule on the Main Stage starts at 11:00 a.m. with Pick & Bow, Sam Gleaves, Lee Sexton, Chris King & Nigel Jones, The Local Honeys, The Price Sisters, Larry Sigmon & Martha Spencer, Carcassone Square Dance, Amythyst Klah, and Jericho Woods.  Over in the theatre, there will be a Grow Appalachia Workshop, Ethnobotany Workshop with Dr. Sunshine Brosi, Appalshop Archive Screening, Appalachian Media Institute Film Screenings, and the Roadside Theatre.  In the Conference Room, the Southern Appalachian Writers Cooperative will be having a broadcasted reading.  There will also be a group sing with Michael and Carrie Kline.

Thursday at 6:30 p.m., there will be Feedtime on the Cumberland at the Farmer's Market.

On Saturday, there will be a Shapenote Sing Workshop from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church.  For over two hundred years, communities of people across the country (and now around the world) have come together to sing these hauntingly beautiful hymns. The first hour, from 10 to 11, will be a singing school taught by Dr. Ron Pen of the University of Kentucky. We'll learn some history of shapenote, and learn how to sing it. Then for the next two hours, from 11 to 1, we'll have a regular sing, where anyone can call and lead a song, or just sing or listen. Anyone can take part in the singing -- no experience, note-reading ability, or "talent" needed!

Also on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., there will be a Seedtime Hike. Join Pathfinders of Perry County for a Seedtime Hike on Pine Mountain. This hike is suitable for all ages, and kids are especially welcome (must be accompanied by adult). This year's hike will feature Trail Talks, a series of very short, interactive talks on watersheds, geology, bears, trees, and history! The hike itself is about 2 miles roundtrip, and of moderate difficulty (lots of elevation changes, but a mostly good trail). Bring water, wear sturdy shoes (tennis shoes are fine), and be prepared to learn lots of cool new stuff! Meet at the old Letcher County High School at 10:30 to carpool, or at Wylie's Last Resort at 11 a.m. to start hiking.

Be sure to check out the Seedtime on the Cumberland website with schedule and performer information at www.seedtimefestival.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/seedtimefestival.

Corbin natives made history with Bristol sessions

Sometimes you never know what you will learn while on Facebook.  The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Tennessee, shared a photo of Alfred G. Karnes of Corbin, Kentucky. The caption included, "88 Years Ago Today: On July 29, 1927, two gifted musicians from Corbin, Kentucky -- Alfred G. Karnes and B. F. Shelton -- arrived in Bristol, ready to record with Ralph Peer. Their recordings, such as "Where We'll Never Grow Old" and "Darlin' Cora," became some of the most significant and influential country music recordings the Bristol Sessions produced.  Alfred G. Karnes, later in life; image courtesy of the Karnes family."  That photo is to the right.

Curiosity got to me as I wanted to find out some more information on Alfred G. Karnes and Ernest Phipps.  After a little bit of digging, I found out that both men were preachers from Corbin area.  Their recording sessions in 1927 and 1928 in Bristol were the earliest recorded examples of Anglo-American gospel music.

Members of the Free Holiness Pentecostal Church, along with Ernest Phipps, recorded six songs in each session.  According to the Encyclopedia of Appalachia, "The resulting twelve commercial recordings, with their evangelical lyrics, repetitions, strong rhythms, improvised harmonies, hand clapping, and guitar backup, provide a rare record of the fervent, intense Holiness style of gospel singing heard in many Appalachian churches in the early twentieth century."

Those recordings were, "Do, Lord, Remember Me," "Old Ship of Zion," "Don't Grieve After Me," "If the Light is Gone Out of Your Soul," and "Bright Tomorrow."  The last two sold 12,000 copies and was in print until the 1930s.  Ernest Phipps would pass away on April 17, 1963.

Alfred G. Karnes was born in Virginia, but moved over to the Corbin, Kentucky, area.  During his recordings in the Bristol sessions, he did it solo.  He recorded 13 songs, with only 4 released including "To the Work," "I am Bound for the Promised Land," "When they Ring the Golden Bells," and "Called to the Foreign Land."  Karnes passed away on May 18, 1958.

Click here for a complete listing of Alfred G. Karnes and Ernest Phipps from the Discography of American Historical Recordings.

Like Kentucky history and country music? Be sure to join us on Facebook for more stories and photos.

Bluegrass festival to honor Kentucky singer's 100th birthday

This weekend marks the 100th birthday of David Akemon, better known as Stringbean.  He was an internationally known country music performer on the Grand Ole Opry and Hee Haw.  Stringbean was a native of Jackson County, Kentucky, where they continue to host the annual Stringbean Memorial Bluegrass Festival.  Sadly, Stringbean was killed by robbers in 1973 after he performed on the Grand Ole Opry.

This year's Stringbean Memorial Bluegrass Festival and 100th Birthday Bash will be held at the Stringbean Festival Grounds on June 18-20, 2015.  Many bluegrass musicians will be on hand to perform, including the following:

Thursday June 18th:

3:30 Showcase Stage

4:20 Second Wind Bluegrass

5:10 Ken Shack

6:00 Bear Branch Bluegrass

6:50 Second Wind Bluegrass

7:40 Ken Shack

8:30 Ralph Stanley II

10:00 Bear Branch Bluegrass

Friday, June 19th:

3:30   Showcase Stage

4:20    Phillip Akemon & Flatlick Stringbean’s Nephew

5:10    Fritts Family

6:00    Millers Creek

6:50    Crimson Cross 

8:20    Phillip Akemon & Flatlick Stringbean’s Nephew

9:10    Fritts Family

10:00   Millers Creek

Saturday, June 20th

2:30   Showcase  Stage

3:20   Pete Webb

3:50   Campbell Mercer & Family from Jerusalem Ridge BG Festival       

4:40   Sammy Adkins & Sandy Hook Mt Boys   

5:30   Wilderness Trail 

6:20   Laurel River Line 

7:10   Campbell Mercer & Family from Jerusalem Ridge BG Festival  

8:00   County Judge Executive Shane Gabbard with Representative Marie Rader & Senator Albert Robinson

8:20   Sammy Adkins & Sandy Hook Mt Boys  

9:10   Wilderness Trail      

10:00  Laurel River Line 

Admission for a 3-day pass at the gate is $45.  Single day tickets are $15 each.  Camping with electric is $25 per day, while primitive camping is free with ticket.

For more information, be sure to check out www.stringbeanpark.com, or call 606-287-0600

Stringbean Memorial, Inc. is a non-profit corporation named in honor of David “Stringbean” Akemon, native of Jackson County, Kentucky, who was an internationally known musician and performer at the Grand Ole Opry and the television show, Hee Haw. The mission of Stringbean Memorial, Inc., is to organize, plan and host annual, traditional music and heritage festivals in Jackson County to honor the memory of the legendary “Stringbean”; to preserve and promote traditional Bluegrass and mountain music; to provide opportunities for area youth to explore, develop and expand their musical abilities; and to preserve, through education and demonstration, the area’s cultural heritage. 

Appalachian folk singer Jean Ritchie passes away

American folk singer and Appalachian, Jean Ritchie, passed away on June 1, 2015 in Berea, Ky. She was an author, performer, folk music collector, and loved by many for her historical preservation of the Appalachian culture.

Jean Ritchie was born in December 8, 1922 in Viper, Kentucky.  Ritchie was the youngest of 12 children to Abigail and Balis Ritchie.  She attended Cumberland Junior College in Williamsburg, before graduating from the University of Kentucky.

Ritchie was well known for her folk singing, as well as playing the dulcimer. Her musical style led her to performances on radio and television, as well as playing at major folk festivals.  She was a regular at Woodsongs Ole Time Radio Hour, based out of Lexington, Kentucky.

In 1977, Rolling Stone presented her with a Critics' Award for her album, None But One.  Alan Lomax recorded her for the Library of Congress.  In 1955, she wrote a book about her family called, Singing Family of the Cumberlands.  Ritchie’s composition, My Dear Companion was recorded by Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton in 1987.  In 2002, Ritchie received the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship.

Jean Ritchie is a member of the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Long Island Music Hall of Fame.  The Smithsonian Insitute considered her, "a national treasure, one of America's finest and best known traditional singers."

In her personal life, she married George Pickow and they had two sons, Peter and Jonathan.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations be sent to Appalachian Voices. Appalachian Voices is an award-winning, environmental non-profit committed to protecting the land, air and water of the central and southern Appalachian region, focusing on reducing coal’s impact on the region and advancing our vision for a cleaner energy future. 

Jean Ritchie Albums

• Traditional Songs of Her Kentucky Mountain Family (1952)
• Kentucky Mountains Songs (1954)
• Field Trip (1954)
• Courting Songs (1954)
• Shivaree (1955)
• The Singing Family of the Cumberlands (1955)
• Children's Songs & Games from the Southern Mountains (1956)
• Songs from Kentucky (1956)
• American Folk Tales and Songs (1956)
• Saturday Night and Sunday Too (1956)
• The Ritchie Family of Kentucky (1958)
• Riddle Me This (1959) (with Oscar Brand)
• Carols for All Seasons (1959)
• British Traditional Ballads, Vol 1 (1961)
• British Traditional Ballads, Vol 2 (1961)
• Ballads (2003; vol 1 and 2 above, issued on a single CD)
• Ballads from Her Appalachian Family Tradition (1961)
• Precious Memories (1962)
• The Appalachian Dulcimer: An Instructional Record (1963)
• Jean Ritchie and Doc Watson Live at Folk City (1963)
• Time For Singing (1966)
• Marching Across the Green Grass & Other American Children's Game Songs (1968)
• Clear Waters Remembered (1974)
• Jean Ritchie At Home (1974)
• None But One (1977)
• Christmas Revels. Wassail! Wassail! (1982)
• O Love Is Teasin' (1985)
• Kentucky Christmas, Old and New (1987)
• The Most Dulcimer (1992)
• Mountain Born (1995)
• High Hills and Mountains (1996)
• Childhood Songs (1997)
• Legends of Old time Music (2002, DVD)

Barns - a lost piece in time of Appalachian history

What is it about a barn that tugs at the heartstrings of memories? The other night, I was sitting down after dinner watching the Barnwood Builders tv show on Great American Country.  Actually, I had dvr several episodes to watch them all at once.  Something that caught my eye and that was the fact that people throughout Appalachia were selling their barns to be torn down and re-purposed by this group.  They took the wood to use inside houses and other structures.  However, it was sad that quite a few of these barns seemed to be in great condition.  The owners just didn't want to have the hassle of the upkeep of the barn.

Barns have been a part of my family for generations.  I look back at photos of my grandparents that passed away two years ago.  Over time, you saw quite a few photos of them standing out in front of their weathered red barn.

My own family built a simple black and white tobacco barn that is still being used today.  My favorite memory was when WLEX's weather guy, Bill Meck, came down to our farm in 1999 for "Bill's Backyard BBQ."  He had never seen a tobacco plant up close until he visited our farm.  He also just had to get a photo in front of our barn with the painted smiley face.

Out on KY-30 as you leave London and head towards McKee in Jackson County, there once stood a barn with the Mail Pouch Tobacco advertisement.  Sadly, after years of wear and tear and a heavy wind storm, it blew over.

Then throughout the southern US, you would see barns that would advertise to "See Rock City" or to "Eat KFC."  Dotted across the countryside in Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky, barn quilts would appear with trails formed to view the beauty of the country side, as well as the artwork of the homemakers that painted the quilts.

As they dot along the highway, be sure to take a closer look at the very object that is becoming rare to see - the all American wooden barn.

Check out more adventures and insights by subscribing, or you can follow me over at Facebook.

Thompson Square participate in 69th Annual Santa Train

Thompson Square - by Earl Neikirk/Bristol Herald Courier

Throughout the hills of Kentucky, the 69th annual Santa Train rolled through handing out gifts to children. With 14 stops across Eastern Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee, thousands gathered to say hi and see the man in red. The 110 mile route included hot country music duo, Thompson Square.

According to Shawna Thompson, “just to see the kids faces when you’re throwing stuff off the back of the train with Santa, it’s great. And it’s our first time on a train."

Over 20 tons of food, toys, and other gifts worth about $1 million were given to those in the region. Different stops are made to help those in need. The long running tradition of the Santa Train has been in part of CSX Transportation, as well as in conjunction of several country music stars over the years.

Past honorary gift handlers include Patty Loveless, Alison Krauss, and Wynonna Judd.