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American Songwriter

partner publisher · 245.7K followers
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Born 81 Years Ago Today in North Carolina, the High School English Teacher Who Became a Grammy-Winning Country Music Star

On this day (November 10) in 1945, Yvonne Vaughn was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina. Today, she’s better known as country singer Donna Fargo, who kicked off a string of four straight No. 1 hits with 1972’s “The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A.”. Among the...

Mt Airy, NC · 3d

appalachianhistorian.org

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Austinville, Wythe County: Chiswell’s Lead Mines, the American Revolution, and the Civil War

Appalachian Community Histories – Austinville, Wythe County: Chiswell’s Lead Mines, the American Revolution, and the Civil War. Along the New River in southwestern Virginia, the small community of Austinville occupies a place in American history far greater than its size might suggest. Long before the community acquired its present name, the surrounding hills contained one of the most important lead deposits in colonial America, providing a mineral that would become essential to frontier settlement, the American Revolution, and the Civil War. The mines helped sustain armies, attracted entrepreneurs and skilled laborers, and established an industrial settlement whose influence extended well beyond the mountains of Virginia.

Austinville, VA · 1d

appalachianhistorian.org

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Hillsville, Carroll County: Cranberry Plains, the 1912 Courthouse Tragedy, and the 1931 Fire

Appalachian Community Histories – Hillsville, Carroll County: Cranberry Plains, the 1912 Courthouse Tragedy, and the 1931 Fire. Along the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia, Hillsville has served as the center of government, commerce, and community life in Carroll County for more than 180 years. Its Main Street, courthouse, and surrounding neighborhoods preserve a history that reaches back to the days of stagecoach travel, when the settlement was known as Cranberry Plains and farmers brought their produce to a growing mountain trading post.

Hillsville, VA · 1d

whqr.org

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Renowned Virginia-based luthier makes his 1,000th guitar

Renowned Virginia-based guitar maker Wayne Henderson is being recognized after completing his 1,000th guitar. During his 60-year career, Henderson has made countless contributions to music makers across the country and around the world. He's built guitars by hand for a Who’s Who list of pickers, including Doc Watson, Ricky Skaggs...

Wilkesboro, NC · 1d
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appalachianhistorian.org

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Cana, Carroll County: Moravian Churches, Mountain Schools, and the Apple Industry

Appalachian Community Histories – Cana, Carroll County: Moravian Churches, Mountain Schools, and the Apple Industry. Along the southern edge of Carroll County, Virginia, where the Blue Ridge Mountains descend toward the North Carolina Piedmont, the community of Cana developed through generations of farming, religious activity, education, and commerce. Situated near the state line along the corridor now followed by U.S. Route 52, Cana became closely connected with nearby Mount Airy, North Carolina, while retaining the institutions and traditions of its mountain surroundings.

Carroll County, VA · 1d

appalachianhistorian.org

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Woodlawn, Carroll County: From a Historic School to Agricultural Education and Appalachian Music

Appalachian Community Histories – Woodlawn, Carroll County: From a Historic School to Agricultural Education and Appalachian Music. In the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia, between the communities of Galax and Hillsville, lies Woodlawn, a Carroll County community whose history reaches well beyond its rural roads and surrounding farmland. For generations, Woodlawn was a place where families gathered around churches, schools, businesses, and agricultural traditions, while musicians carried the sounds of the mountains into homes and eventually recording studios across the country.

Carroll County, VA · 1d

WVNS

partner publisher · 37.4K followers

Mercer County Veterans Museum honors veterans for Veterans Day

PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) — The Mercer County Veterans Museum in Princeton recognized Veterans Day on Tuesday, November 11, 2026. Director George Williams said while their normal staff were off for the holiday, members of the board of directors volunteered their time to make sure the museum could be open for Veterans Day. He said former […]

Princeton, WV · 1d

Only In Your State

partner publisher · 18.2K followers

The Virginia Town Where Moonshiners Left Their Mark

History runs deep in Virginia, as made evident by the 3,300 registered historic places in the state. But some histories are more well-known than others, and one example of a little-known chapter in Virginia’s history can be discovered in the small town of Boones Mill. About a century ago, it was part of one of […]

Boones Mill, VA · 2h

WDBJ7.com

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New River Valley artist says drawing helped him out of addiction and homelessness

NEW RIVER VALLEY, Va. (WDBJ) - Joe Casso says drawing pulled him out of addiction and homelessness. Casso, who lives in the New River Valley, now draws on everything he can find and sells his work at events across the region. “Drawing is a peaceful place for me to not...

Roanoke, VA · 1d

WSLS

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Christiansburg Veterans Day Parade honors community heroes

CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – The Christiansburg community organized a Veterans Day Parade celebration on Wednesday morning to show their appreciation. This all began at 10 a.m. along Main Street and was followed by a commemorative ceremony near the Montgomery Central War Memorial. Participants say its also a chance for younger...

Christiansburg, VA · 2d

WSLS

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Roanoke College plans to demolish historic Salem home as residents push to save it

SALEM, Va. – A historic home near Roanoke College could soon be demolished, but some Salem residents are asking the college and city leaders to consider other options for the property. The house at 102 N. Market St. dates to the mid-1800s and is believed to have been built...

Salem, VA · 1d

WDBJ7.com

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HOMETOWN ENTERTAINMENT: Holiday market, concerts and comedy planned in Roanoke, Lynchburg, Danville and Rocky Mount this weekend

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - A holiday market, live concerts, a family carnival and a comedy show are scheduled in Roanoke, Lynchburg, Danville and Rocky Mount this weekend. The 38th annual Stocked market is happening Friday through Sunday at the Berglund Center. The market is the Junior League of Roanoke Valley’s...

Roanoke, VA · 1d

WSET

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Hundreds attend National D-Day Memorial's Veterans Day ceremony in Bedford

BEDFORD, Va. (WSET) — Hundreds gathered in Bedford for the National D-Day Memorial’s annual Veterans Day ceremony honoring the service and sacrifice of U.S. troops and those who died in uniform. During the observance, two benches were dedicated to honor the wartime service and sacrifice of the Bedford...

Bedford, VA · 2d

wfirnews.com

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Greensky Bluegrass at The Exchange, Harrison Museum’s Cotton Club Cabaret, Salem Museum recognizes Black Civil War soldiers

From the WFIR News room this is your Culture Calendar – With a look at some of the local events coming up this weekend and in the near future. Sponsored by the Roanoke Cultural Endowment. See more at Roanoke Cultural Endowment.org. At the Exchange Music Hall in downtown Roanoke, two evenings with Greensky Bluegrass, this Thursday and Friday. The Harrison Museum of African American Culture presents part two of its three-part Harlem Renaissance Series this Saturday evening at 5:30, Cotton Club Cabaret, honoring that era around 100 years ago, the history, artistry, music and cuisine. At the Salem Museum two new exhibits involving black history in the valley, and a lecture, “We will prove ourselves men,” about black veterans of the Civil War. Hear more on the link below:

Roanoke, VA · 2d

Cardinal News

partner publisher · 12.5K followers

Roanoke native Allen Thompson leads tribute to Todd Snider on Saturday at 5 Points Music Sanctuary

Thompson joins fellow East Nashville, Tennessee, music scene stalwarts Lilly Winwood, Lilly Hiatt, Jon Latham, Rachel Cole and house band The Floorboards. The post Roanoke native Allen Thompson leads tribute to Todd Snider on Saturday at 5 Points Music Sanctuary appeared first on Cardinal News .

Roanoke, VA · 1d

WSET

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The National D-Day Memorial brings generations together to remember the price of freedom

BEDFORD, Va. (WSET) — The messages were simple, written in small hands and delivered with big smiles: "Thank you." For the veterans gathered Tuesday at the National D-Day Memorial, those words carried a meaning that went far beyond a handwritten note or a passing gesture. They were reminders that...

Bedford, VA · 2d

wvpublic.org

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Franklin County Banjo Player Gene Parker Made His Instrument Sing

This story was originally published by Radio IQ and is part of a series reported by students at the Handmade Music School in Floyd County, Virginia. The students are compiling a songbook of tunes and songs played in their community and telling the stories behind the music. This story aired...

Floyd County, VA · 4d

pcpatriot.com

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NRCC Concert Series presents Blue Rock’n Grass and Dixie Bluegrass Boys

The music of Blue Rock’n Grass and Dixie Bluegrass Boys will be featured during New River Community College’s Concert Series event on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Music will begin at 6 p.m. in 117 Edwards Hall at NRCC in Dublin. Highly energetic bluegrass band, Blue Rock’n Grass was...

Dublin, VA · 4d

roanokerambler.com

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"I Commend Them to Your Care": 92 Years After a President's Promise, the Salem VA Is Still Keeping It

On the afternoon of Oct. 19, 1934, Franklin D. Roosevelt arrived in Roanoke by train. At 4 p.m., he stood before a crowd of 40,000 on the campus of a brand-new hospital. On the afternoon of Oct. 19, 1934, Franklin D. Roosevelt arrived in Roanoke by train. At 4 p.m., he stood before a crowd of 40,000 on the campus of a brand-new hospital: 16 buildings in the hills just outside Salem, built for the men who had fought in the First World War and come home to a country still finding out what that war had cost them.

Salem, VA · 3d

NRVNews

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John Hildreth Chronicles a Virginia Mountain Hollow

PEARISBURG, Va. — Musician and composer John Hildreth’s new double album, House of Ghosts, tells the stories of an old house and its surrounding neighborhood in a Virginia mountain hollow, moving between 1917 and the present day, with occasional journeys 1,000 years into the past. Hildreth said the...

Pearisburg, VA · 3d