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Blair Pathways: A Music CD of the West Virginia Mine Wars
Blair Pathways is a music history project, the aim of which is to produce a music CD that tells the story of the West Virginia Coal Mine Wars. We utilize rare and never-before recorded historic coal-field music to form this narrative, bringing the story of America's largest labor uprising to music and history lovers everywhere. In addition to the CD, Blair Pathways will provide a written narrative, interactive map and music archives in order to form a well-rounded understanding of these coal wars.
The Blair Pathways Project is neither a compilation of contemporary songs nostalgically referencing historic events, nor is it a general review of an era via a particular music genre. This CD, as directly as possible, sources music from West Virginia and Appalachian coal mining wars to illustrate the major events, battles and themes of this time period. With styles ranging from Italian folk song, English balladry, African-American gospel, American hymn-tunes and more, the songs and instrumentals we utilize reflect the diversity of West Virginia's Mine Wars history. Nationally-recognized musicians are committing their time and energy to help bring this project to life. Our full list of musicians includes: Carolina Chocolate Drops' Dom Flemons, ballad-singer Elizabeth Laprelle, award-winning banjo player Brett Rattliff, Tim Eriksen, Jubal's Kin, Sam Gleaves, Reverend Bob Jones, Bernice Jones, the Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers, Wayne Erbsen, Jamie Laval, Elaine Purkey, Jason Shelton and the First UU Choir of Nashville, 2/3 Goat and Morgan O'Kane.
These mine wars, fought for union recognition and better conditions generally, culminated with a 10,000-15,000 march and battle on Blair Mountain, WV in August of 1921. Blair Mountain deserves to be recognized and preserved as a historic site. That is why Blair Pathways is designed to educate as well as entertain. You donations will not only help produce the CD, but fund the development of high-school lesson plans as part of the Blair Lesson Plan Project. Your money will also help develop our comprehensive media including a historic narrative, online map and archives, which will supplement these lesson plans and be available to the general public to enhance appreciation of the story of the mine wars. Most importantly, Blair Pathways is not-for-profit. Proceeds from this project will go to the Blair Community Center and Museum in Blair, WV.
Last fall, Blair Pathways raised $4,000 through grassroots funding, and now we need $6,000 to finish this project. Your money will help pay our artists for their time and effort, fund the development of our online media, pay licensing fees and, of course, help us print the CD! (The materials used to make our CD packs will utilize partially-recycled board and 100% recycled CD trays to reduce environmental impact.)
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1920983118/blair-pathways-a-music-cd-of-the-west-virginia-min
The Blair Pathways Project is neither a compilation of contemporary songs nostalgically referencing historic events, nor is it a general review of an era via a particular music genre. This CD, as directly as possible, sources music from West Virginia and Appalachian coal mining wars to illustrate the major events, battles and themes of this time period. With styles ranging from Italian folk song, English balladry, African-American gospel, American hymn-tunes and more, the songs and instrumentals we utilize reflect the diversity of West Virginia's Mine Wars history. Nationally-recognized musicians are committing their time and energy to help bring this project to life. Our full list of musicians includes: Carolina Chocolate Drops' Dom Flemons, ballad-singer Elizabeth Laprelle, award-winning banjo player Brett Rattliff, Tim Eriksen, Jubal's Kin, Sam Gleaves, Reverend Bob Jones, Bernice Jones, the Northern Kentucky Brotherhood Singers, Wayne Erbsen, Jamie Laval, Elaine Purkey, Jason Shelton and the First UU Choir of Nashville, 2/3 Goat and Morgan O'Kane.
These mine wars, fought for union recognition and better conditions generally, culminated with a 10,000-15,000 march and battle on Blair Mountain, WV in August of 1921. Blair Mountain deserves to be recognized and preserved as a historic site. That is why Blair Pathways is designed to educate as well as entertain. You donations will not only help produce the CD, but fund the development of high-school lesson plans as part of the Blair Lesson Plan Project. Your money will also help develop our comprehensive media including a historic narrative, online map and archives, which will supplement these lesson plans and be available to the general public to enhance appreciation of the story of the mine wars. Most importantly, Blair Pathways is not-for-profit. Proceeds from this project will go to the Blair Community Center and Museum in Blair, WV.
Last fall, Blair Pathways raised $4,000 through grassroots funding, and now we need $6,000 to finish this project. Your money will help pay our artists for their time and effort, fund the development of our online media, pay licensing fees and, of course, help us print the CD! (The materials used to make our CD packs will utilize partially-recycled board and 100% recycled CD trays to reduce environmental impact.)
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1920983118/blair-pathways-a-music-cd-of-the-west-virginia-min
Links to a nice short video explaining the project. They are just a few dollars short of their goal if you want to help out! Please K&R if you like it!
(I have no personal involvement in this project. I think a friend may be a contributing musician - not sure.)
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Everybody needs to see this! Thanks for posting! 
I didn't really know where to post it, but I thought people would be interested. 
I think it's a great idea!