Elkins and Randolph County have rich musical traditions that are appreciated by locals and well-known to enthusiasts, but are not always apparent or easily accessible to visitors. Ben Duvall-Irwin, a old-time music enthusiast, set out to put on an old-time music showcase.
Ben Duvall-Irwin found several local musicians to play for the showcase. He secured an arts mini-grant from the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History. Those funds ensured the musicians would be paid for their time and the concert would be free to the public.
Local musicians Jesse Milnes & Emily Miller played, as well as Josh Wanstreet & Phil Jones. “Anyone who’s been to a folk concert knows that most traditional musicians spend about half as much talking about the songs and where they come from as they do playing them,” said Ben. The concert featured several songs passed down from prominent musicians who lived in the Appalachian Heritage National Heritage Area, like NEA National Heritage Fellow Melvin Wine from Braxton County, and the legendary Hammons family from Pocahontas County whose songs are played all over the country thanks to the work of Dwight Diller (also a Pocahontas County Native).
See a video recording of Jesse & Emily performing ‘John Henry’ together from the concert.
