Participation Type
Panel
Session Title
Session 3.09 (Economic Development) Economic Development on a Banjo String
Session Abstract or Summary
A discussion of the cultural and economic value of music trails.
One panelist is confirmed. Others are invited.
The mountains of North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia have long been a musical mixing bowl, combining a variety of European and African elements into new genres. Of course, country music and bluegrass are rooted in those mountains, and what we call old time music persists in informal and commercial forms across the region. But the music has also influenced and been influenced by blues, popular music, show tunes and even classical music. In some circles, at least, the music of the mountains was long seen as inferior, an anachronism – a curiosity at best, an embarrassment at worst. Now many people realize the music is not only a vital and important part of Appalachian and American culture, it’s an economic opportunity. Virginia’s Crooked Road, West Virginia’s Mountain Music Trail, Tennessee’s Blues to Bluegrass Trail, Kentucky’s proposed Beaten Path Bluegrass Music Trail and the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina all seek to preserve and promote traditional music, but some of them also aim to strengthen local and regional economies, not only through tourism, but by promoting local products and promoting the region as a good place to live and to start a business. I propose a panel – made up of representatives of the organizations behind some of these trails – to discuss the cultural and economic aims and impacts of these music trails and related tourism and economic development efforts.
Presentation #1 Title
The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
The Crooked Road is a 333-mile route through Southwest Virginia that connects nine major venues and a growing number of affiliate events and organizations serving 19 counties. Its goal is to bolster the region's economy by promoting traditional music, but it is also part of a larger effort to build the region's economy. The website myswva.org says they're here to help if "you own a company, want to start a company, want to work for a different company, or just want to come for a visit and be someone’s company." "If you’re looking for a career change and great place to live, we can help … The bottom line is this, Southwest Virginia is an amazing place to live and work with a high quality of life and a low cost of living. So if you're thinking about changing your view from the tall guy babbling in the next cubicle, to a lofty mountain vista complete with babbling brook, Southwest Virginia is here to rescue you."
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Tim Thornton teaches Appalachian Literature at Virginia Western Community College. His coverage of Appalachian music, efforts to promote it and its economic impact has appeared in regional newspapers and magazines and on public radio.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Jack Hinshelwood is an accomplished musician and the executive director The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Ned Savage roamed Latin America and the Western U.S. before canoeing from the headwaters of the New River in Western North Carolina to the Gulf of Mexico. Now he’s in Tucker County, West Virginia, where he’s helping to develop the Mountain Music Trail.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Rob Bell is director of programs for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership, a nonprofit based in Asheville which coordinates the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina initiative in cooperation with the North Carolina Arts Council.He has a passion for music and plays old-time guitar and banjo.
The Crooked Road: Virginia's Heritage Music Trail
The Crooked Road is a 333-mile route through Southwest Virginia that connects nine major venues and a growing number of affiliate events and organizations serving 19 counties. Its goal is to bolster the region's economy by promoting traditional music, but it is also part of a larger effort to build the region's economy. The website myswva.org says they're here to help if "you own a company, want to start a company, want to work for a different company, or just want to come for a visit and be someone’s company." "If you’re looking for a career change and great place to live, we can help … The bottom line is this, Southwest Virginia is an amazing place to live and work with a high quality of life and a low cost of living. So if you're thinking about changing your view from the tall guy babbling in the next cubicle, to a lofty mountain vista complete with babbling brook, Southwest Virginia is here to rescue you."
