New Music From West Virginia

Posted by Mary Rayme Aug 24, 2007

I had the pleasure of going to The Purple Fiddle in Thomas, West Virginia this week to hear an old-time country band, The Sweetback Sisters. This nouveau country band features the sweet and sassy vocals of Emily Miller and Zara Bode. They like to describe themselves as, "Honky tonk for the modern day cowboy and girl". I gotta say, I thought of Patsy Cline upon hearing Zara Bode's voice that harmonizes impeccably with the sweet voice of Emily Miller. The Sweetback Sisters have a new EP called Bang! I recommend buying multiple copies since you will want to give this shot of musical bliss to all of your friends. It's that good. Jesse Milnes plays a hot-lickin' acoustic guitar and swinging fiddle, along with Ross Bellinoits' lightning fast, telecaster interjections. Stefan Amidon is a solid, jiving drummer and Joe Dejarnette is the cartoonishly good bass player.

Emily Miller learned her craft from her mother Valerie Mindel. I was lucky enough to catch this amazing mother-daughter duo at a concert at the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins this summer. There is nothing like related voices harmonizing and the new CD, In the Valley, 2006, by Emily Miller and Val Mindel is an instant classic.

Next up is The Weight of Light by The Ginsangers, a band that also has a mother-daughter combo of voices in Connie Townsend and Rose Bell. This pleasing and soulful CD contains some excellent original songs and a great cover of the Hank Williams song, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. Dave Parker as co-songwriter and solid guitarist rounds out the band nicely.

We are lucky to live in such a musical neck of the woods! Now get out there, people, and listen to live music and BUY the CDs.