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Wreck of the Old 97
The wreck of the Old 97 occurred on September 27, 1903, when the Southern Railway freight train called the Fast Mail (or "Old 97") left the tracks and crashed at the Stillhouse Trestle outside...
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Rye Cove Cyclone
The Rye Cove Cyclone is the deadliest tornado in Virginia history. Part of an unusual outbreak of tornadoes across the eastern United States on May 2, 1929, it hit the Rye Cove School in the...
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Bristol Sessions (1927), The
The Bristol Sessions occurred in 1927 when the Victor Talking Machine Company brought a field unit to Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia, to record musicians from the region. Victor held the sessions on the...
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Cline, Patsy (1932–1963)
Patsy Cline was a singer whose biggest hits—"Walkin' After Midnight," "I Fall to Pieces," and "Crazy"—embody the so-called Nashville Sound, a synthesis of country and popular music. Born Virginia...
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Letter from Jacob Rubsamen to Thomas Jefferson (December 1, 1780)
In a letter to Thomas Jefferson, dated December 1, 1780, Jacob Rubsamen encloses an extract of a letter by a Hessian officer who had visited Monticello and heard Jefferson and his wife, Martha Wayles...
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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph (April 4, 1790)
In a letter dated April 4, 1790, Thomas Jefferson instructs his daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, to "not neglect your music" and to remain attentive to her husband, Thomas Mann Randolph Jr.Tue, 15...
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Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Giovanni Fabbroni (June 8, 1778)
In a letter dated June 8, 1778, Thomas Jefferson complains to Giovanni Fabbroni, an Italian naturalist and economist, about the state of music in Virginia. He also encloses a table of British soldiers...
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Sound in Jefferson's Virginia
Sound in Thomas Jefferson's Virginia included natural, man-made, and melodic noises. The areas surrounding Monticello, the Albemarle County estate of Jefferson, and the city of Charlottesville,...
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Edwards, Thomas J. "Tommy" (1922–1969)
Thomas J. "Tommy" Edwards was a singer and songwriter best known for his 1958 chart-topping single "It's All in the Game." Edwards showed musical promise early, hosting a Richmond radio show in his...
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Carter, Sara (1898–1979)
Sara Carter was a member of the Carter Family, a trio that helped to pioneer what became known as country music. Born and raised in Southwest Virginia, Sara Dougherty sang and played the autoharp from...
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Carter, Maybelle (1909–1978)
Maybelle Carter was a member of the Carter Family, a trio that helped to pioneer what became known as country music. Born in Scott County, in Southwest Virginia, she grew up playing music and learning...
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Carter, A. P. (1891–1960)
A. P. Carter was a song collector and member of the Carter Family, a trio that helped to pioneer what became known as country music. Born in Scott County, in Southwest Virginia, Carter worked as a...
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Cash, June Carter (1929–2003)
June Carter Cash was a country and folk singer and the wife of Johnny Cash. Born in southwestern Virginia, she was the daughter of Maybelle Carter, who with her first cousin Sara Carter and Carter's...
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Blind Billy Death Notice, Richmond Daily Dispatch (April 23, 1855)
In this short item, published on April 23, 1855, The Richmond Daily Dispatch reports on the death of the African American fifer known as Blind Billy. Fri, 05 May 2017 11:41:18 EST
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Billy or Blind Billy (ca. 1805–1855)
Billy or Blind Billy was a fifer. Born enslaved in Lynchburg, he was the property of Howell Davies, and Billy's obituary reported that he became free through a subscription raised by the townspeople....
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