Every year I try to make it to the Appalachian Studies Conference. It is unlike other academic conferences I've been to, namely because it's this wonderful stew of professors, activists, locals, and pretty darn good musicians. I always leave feeling energized, hopeful, and rededicated to Appalachia as a subject, a culture(s), and homeplace.
Highlights of this year in no particular order included: (1)getting to visit Blacksburg for the first time, (2) being a part of a panel on seed libraries, (3) seeing friends from grad. school, (4) drinking Ale-8, (6) eating a slice of pizza big as most pizzas at a place called Benny's, (7) having some tunes with Reba and Michael Kline, and (8), the Alan Jabbour Memorial Jam, where I had the pleasure of meeting and jamming with Dean Reed.
I posted earlier in this blog about how much Alan Jabbour helped me along as a young fiddler scratching away at old tunes. So, it was very cool to get to meet the son of Alan's mentor Henry Reed. Dean can play a mean guitar, and his energy and joy was infectious at the jam.
I feel very blessed when I meet people like him, that are eager to share their experiences and interests. It's a huge part of why I am interested in Appalachian Studies at all.
Highlights of this year in no particular order included: (1)getting to visit Blacksburg for the first time, (2) being a part of a panel on seed libraries, (3) seeing friends from grad. school, (4) drinking Ale-8, (6) eating a slice of pizza big as most pizzas at a place called Benny's, (7) having some tunes with Reba and Michael Kline, and (8), the Alan Jabbour Memorial Jam, where I had the pleasure of meeting and jamming with Dean Reed.
I posted earlier in this blog about how much Alan Jabbour helped me along as a young fiddler scratching away at old tunes. So, it was very cool to get to meet the son of Alan's mentor Henry Reed. Dean can play a mean guitar, and his energy and joy was infectious at the jam.
I feel very blessed when I meet people like him, that are eager to share their experiences and interests. It's a huge part of why I am interested in Appalachian Studies at all.