| Join your host, Goldenseal
editor, John Lilly for an evening of riveting Appalachian literature,
music, and dance. Lilly is recognized and respected as
a musician, folklorist, and as editor of Goldenseal magazine. His
interest in old-time and early country music began early on and led him
to learn guitar and mandolin. A versatile performer, John sings (and yodels)
in the style of Jimmie Rodgers, can play Carter-style with the best of
them, and also has a diverse repertoire of traditional tunes that he has
learned from old-time musicians across the region. Through his work with
the Augusta Heritage Festival and the Division of Culture and History,
John has gained tremendous knowledge of the history and context of the
traditional culture of West Virginia. We are pleased to welcome John back
to the Festival as he hosts both the Friday and Saturday evening concerts
for the third year in a row.
Marilou Awiakta takes the stage, reading some of her poetry. This evening marks the end of her week-long residency at Shepherd College. To learn more about Ms. Awiakta and her work, visit her website. Ginny Hawker, Kay Justice and Tracy Schwarz: Music of the Original Carter Family – this trio of talented traditional musicians pay tribute to music of the Carter Family, the first family of country music. The spirits of Sara, Maybelle, and A.P. seem to linger in the room as the voices and instruments of this trio blend in amazing harmonies ranging from sad and lonesome ballads to foot-stomping, joyful gospel numbers. Ginny Hawker is the President of the WV State Folk Festival, co-coordinator of Augusta’s Vocal Week, and one of the region’s best traditional singers. Tracy Schwarz is a multi-instrumentalist who has been teaching, recording and performing traditional music for more than 30 years, contributing to the preservation of both traditional string and vocal music. Like his wife Ginny, Tracy is an instructor and performer at the Augusta Heritage Festival. Kay Justice is the Vocal Leader at Mars Hill and a regular instructor during Augusta’s Vocal Week. She and Ginny have recorded four albums together and are well-recognized for their accomplishments in harmony singing. Jake Krack and Doug Van Gundy – Two extraordinary fiddlers, Jake and
Doug carry on the musical traditions practiced by their elders over a century
ago. 16-year-old Jake Krack has been featured on Garrison Keillor’s
Prairie Home Companion as well as on CNN and has performed at the
Kennedy Center. He has participated in the Augusta program as both a student
and guest instructor, after apprenticing to Melvin Wine and other West
Virginia master fiddlers. Doug Van Gundy is a true Renaissance Man:
an accomplished old-time musician who learned to play fiddle from Mose
Coffman; a well-recognized Appalachian poet; teacher; and successful game
show celebrity (you may recognize him from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?).
Together, they represent a bright future for traditional West Virginia
music! To learn more about Jake and Doug, visit Jake’s website: http://www.jakekrack.com/
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