Jean Ritchie, the "Mother of Folk," almost single-handedly revived the Appalachian dulcimer for national audiences. She inspired musicians from Bob Dylan to Joni Mitchell to Emmylou Harris. Happy birthday, Jean. Your work lives on today. 📷 Appalshop Archive

James “Pigmeat” Jarrett was born in GA & made his career in Cincinnnati— but spent the years in between in a mining camp in KY. The only album he ever released was on our record label, June Appal Recordings. On his birthday, we remember him AND his music. Rest in power, Pigmeat.

Toni Cade Bambara is probably best known for her writing, but she was a filmmaker too. She produced at least a film a year for almost a decade, amplifying black voices & those of people on the margins. Today, we know documentary film is just as powerful. Rest in power, Toni.

Many of the musicians on our record label & in our documentaries made music for change. Sam Cooke did too. A civil rights activist, he's probably best known for his song "A Change Is Gonna Come." Rest in power, Sam.

Appalshop is on Bluesky! Join us over there and follow us @appalshop.bsky.social. We'll see you there! 👋🦋☁️ #appalachia #appalachians #appalachianmountains #mountain #mountainlife #mountainpeople #mountainstories #mountainart #mountainmusic #easternkentucky #bluesky