Participation Type
Performance
Session Title
A Mighty Fine Memory: Stories and Tunes from the Fiddler of Banjo Branch
Presentation #1 Title
A Mighty Fine Memory: Stories and Tunes from the Fiddler of Banjo Branch
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
This documentary presents the life and work of Madison County Master Fiddler, Roger Howell. A recent recipient of the Brown Hudson Award by the North Carolina Folklore Society, and his over 500 tunes Memory Collection of Fiddle Tunes, Roger Howell is a cultural treasure whose work to preserve fiddle tunes, stories, and the history of Western North Carolina is a huge contribution to the region. In 2014, the Ramsey Center for Regional Studies at Mars Hill University received a grant to create this documentary from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership. The film was premiered at the Bascom Lamar Lunsford "Minstrel of Appalachia Festival," on October 3, and we have plans to submit it to many film festivals in the coming year.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Hannah Furgiuele graduated from Appalachian State in 2010 with an M.A.. in Appalachian Studies and in 2003 with B.A. in Visual Arts and Environmental Studies from Oberlin College. She currently directs the Bascom Lamar Lunsford "Minstrel of Appalachia" Festival at Mars Hill University and is the Program Coordinator for the Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies at Mars Hill. She is also a freelance photographer and musician in Western North Carolina.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Rebecca Branson Jones is a freelance videographer, editor, and banjoist from the rural piedmont of North Carolina. Jones holds a BS in Broadcast Media and MA in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University. She has interned at Appalshop in Whitesburg, KY, working with Mimi Pickering and at Florentine Films (Ken Burns) in New Hampshire working on the Roosevelts, The Address, and Country Music. Rebecca has also taught courses at the college level including Exploring the Documentary Form and Bluegrass Traditions at Appalachian State University.
A Mighty Fine Memory: Stories and Tunes from the Fiddler of Banjo Branch
This documentary presents the life and work of Madison County Master Fiddler, Roger Howell. A recent recipient of the Brown Hudson Award by the North Carolina Folklore Society, and his over 500 tunes Memory Collection of Fiddle Tunes, Roger Howell is a cultural treasure whose work to preserve fiddle tunes, stories, and the history of Western North Carolina is a huge contribution to the region. In 2014, the Ramsey Center for Regional Studies at Mars Hill University received a grant to create this documentary from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership. The film was premiered at the Bascom Lamar Lunsford "Minstrel of Appalachia Festival," on October 3, and we have plans to submit it to many film festivals in the coming year.
