Western North Carolina Musical Legacies: Hidden In The Melodies Of Life

Book excerpt: For many readers, this book series will introduce people in the Western North Carolina community and tell of their musical experiences, struggles, triumphs, tragedies, hopes, and dreams. For some, it will awaken memories of faces and gathering places where music took center stage from basement blue lights to strobe lights to foot-stomping praises in church. Musical gifts were passed from generation to generation. For others, this journey will connect streetlight dreams with the stage of Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theater, and the Grand Ole Opry. A few groups and several individuals were fortunate to obtain national recognition. Many performed beyond the borders of the State of North Carolina. Some gave a lifetime of musical service and died before any documented recognition, and others remain dedicated silent partners whose voices and musical gifts continue to ring out, yet are hidden in the melodies of life.