What inspired you to pursue the history of folk music in southern West Virginia?

Well, I grew up in southern West Virginia.

I'm from Logan, and I've played music ever since I was a little kid.

When I got to college here at WVU in 1978, I started meeting people who played more traditional music.

And then when I would go home in the summers, I would try to find people to play more traditional music with.

When I was 29 or so, I finally took up the fiddle.

and I had learned this one fiddle tune that was called Young Edward.

Why did you feel it was so important to add to that record and maybe elevate some of the names of the people who had created this music?

Chris Haddock joins us now.

This is Chris Haddock in Morgantown, West Virginia, where I am a folk singing professor at West Virginia University.

My reason for visiting with you on the Great American Folk Show today is to share some information about the rich but little-known folk music history of the southern West Virginia coalfield counties of Logan, Lincoln, and Mingo.

For many, the mention of West Virginia brings to mind a variety of negative stereotypes that I won't even go into here.

For others, West Virginia means the Hatfields and McCoys.

For some, it means coal and a labor history centered around the West Virginia Mine Wars.

And for others still, it means a rich Appalachian culture full of artisans, crafters, back-to-the-landers, and musicians.