Sen. Byrd donates prized fiddle
WV Sen Robert C. Byrd has donated his favorite fiddle to the WV Music Hall of Fame. The fiddle - the first to be given to anyone outside his family - was made in 1887 in a maggini pattern with mother of pearl ebony inlay. Byrd’s name is inscribed on the fingerboard and the seal of the U.S. Senate is beautifully inlaid on the back in scrimshaw mother of pearl. The fiddle was given to Sen. Byrd by his staff while he was Senate Majority leader in the late-’70s.
“Music has always been an important part of West Virginia’s culture - and certainly an important part of my own life,” Byrd said. “The state’s musical heritage is both rich and varied, and musicians from across West Virginia have had a profound influence on the music of our great country.
“I’m proud to have one of my fiddles become part of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame’s permanent collection,” he added. “There is a special bond between a musician and his favorite instrument. This fiddle has brought me much joy and pleasure over the years, and comfort during trying times. Music is a salve for the human soul, and for me, it comes closest to expressing the inexpressible. Recognizing West Virginia musicians who have contributed so much to enriching the lives of others is an idea that is long overdue, and I am proud to be a part of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame."
The fiddle is currently on display at the Cultural Center in Charleston.
An article about the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame is the lead story in the May issue of Sing Out! magazine (www.signout.org). The magazine, which for more than half a century has focused on musical heritage and traditional songs, featured a four-page spread with nine photos. Accompanying the piece is tablature for the song “That Little Lump of Coal,” one of the songs in the listening station for the exhibit.
Copies of the “Sing Out!” article may be obtained by contacting the WV Music Hall of Fame at 304/342-4412 or mlipton@gmail.com.
The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame was well-represented at the International Folk Alliance conference, held in Memphis, Tennessee, February 20-23, 2008 (www.folk.org). Hall of Fame board members John Lilly, Todd Burge, and Tim O'Brien were joined by 2007 Hall of Fame inductee Hazel Dickens for the four-day gathering of folk music dj's, booking agents, promoters, journalists and performers. Organizers estimate that more than 2,000 people attended the event.
A highlight was the festive West Virginia Music booth in the conference exhibit hall. The booth was shared by Lisa Best of Proper Records and served to promote the release of the New CD recording, Always Lift Him Up: A Tribute to Blind Alfred Reed. Also on display were the DVD recording of the two-hour November 2007 Hall of Fame induction ceremony, several Hall of Fame promotional items, and the attractive vertical display of Music of the Coalfields.
The booth saw heavy foot traffic during its three-hour exhibition time, with particular interest generated by the presence and accessibility of inductee Hazel Dickens, who enthralled a steady stream of visitors with her friendly smile and conversation. Tim O'Brien led a lively jam session at the booth on Saturday, generating further visibility. In all, hundreds of people stopped by the booth, approximately 40 Blind Alfred Reed CDs were given to disc jockeys for airplay, about a dozen Hall of Fame t-shirts were distributed along with numerous other promotional items, raising awareness about the Hall of Fame, West Virginia, and its music.
On Saturday, John Lilly interviewed Hazel Dickens for 90 minutes, in front of a live audience of approximately 100 people. Hazel was sharp and witty, and accented her interview by performing a few songs live, accompanied by West Virginia musicians Tracy Schwarz and Ginny Hawker. Elsewhere, throughout the event, Tim O'Brien, Todd Burge, John Lilly, and Kathy Mattea also performed live, further heightening awareness of West Virginia music.
Word of the Blind Alfred Reed tribute continues to spread.
The CD will soon be available at Tamarack in Beckley.
- Since the release of the CD we’ve heard from one of Reed’s five grandsons and one of his great granddaughters. Denny Reed, a longtime musician who lives in New Jersey, lived with his grandfather for a time and has his fiddle. “Goldenseal” editor John Lilly will be interviewing him for a possible feature story. We hope that Denny will attend the HoF’s ’08 induction ceremony. Meanwhile, Denny’s daughter Tina has sent copies of some photos. Look for the interview and photos on the HoF website.
- WV Public TV interviewed Kathy Mattea and Tim O’Brien about their involvement in the Blind Alfred Reed tribute while the two were in town for a “Mountain Stage” appearance March 30. This footage will be added to footage that was shot during the recording of the CD in a segment of “Outlook.”
- Singer/songwriter/impresario Todd Burge will be producing a special for WV Public Radio featuring the music of Blind Alfred Reed which will include segments of Denny Reed’s interview. The Blind Alfred Reed show will be a special addition to Burge’s monthly radio show, “Songwriter Night with Todd Burge.” (www.songwriternight.com)
- Look (or listen) for an upcoming piece on NPR’s “All Things Considered” about the Blind Alfred Reed CD.
- A tour to publicize the Blind Alfred Reed CD is in the works. With some luck, Kathy Mattea, Tim and Mollie O’Brien, Larry Groce, Don Dixon, John Lilly, Todd Burge and Michael Lipton will be playing a number of venues in October including the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA. We’re hoping that the Department of Tourism will help publicize the shows.
- The HoF is also checking into getting the Blind Alfred Reed CD placed in College and University Libraries and the DVD of the induction ceremony used in the state’s music education curriculum.
The Alfred Reed family photos were generously provided by Tina Wilson, Reed’s great-granddaughter.
Alfred Reed with his grandchildren Mary and Denny
Alfred Reed playing guitar for his youngest son Collins, circa 1921
Alfred and his wife Rose in their later years
Alfred Reed’s sister Rose, who was also blind
Reed’s first four children Savannah, Arville (who performed with his father), Tess, and Pansy “Violet”