The West Virginia Music Hall of Fame

I'm winging my way to my hometown of Charleston, West Virginia to emcee the first annual West Virginia Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony (this Friday, November 16th) and I'm thrilled to high Almost Heaven! The Governor will be there and so will Senator Robert C. Byrd (the only senator to speak out against Dubya's bid for absolute power back when everyone else was quaking in their boots.) Did you know Bill "Lean On Me" Withers was from West Virginia? I didn't until WVMHoF founder Michael Lipton told me. Withers is one of the living inductees along with Grand Ole Opry star Little Jimmy Dickens (pictured above), Pulitzer-Prize-winning classical composer George Crumb, singer Hazel Dickens (whose songs can be heard in the amazing Oscar-winning documentary Harlan County, U.S.A.) and songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler whose hits include Johnny and June Carter Cash's "Jackson."

This night is gonna be hotter than a pepper sprout! Each and every living inductee is scheduled to attend and I'm told that everyone back in West-By-God is super excited about this. It's even going to be broadcast on West Virginia Public Television! YEEEE-HAW! Country star and West Virginia native Kathy Mattea is going to be there as both a presenter and performer as well as folk singer and musicologist Mike Seeger and Alison Krauss. (Oh God, I hope she brings Robert Plant!)

The deceased inductees are traditional country singer Molly O'Day, pioneering singer-songwriter Blind Alfred Reed (whose songs have recently been recorded by several artists including yours truly for a tribute CD available at the ceremony), Chuck Berry's former pianist Johnnie Johnson (a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and, I'm told, the Johnnie in "Johnnie B. Good), fiddler Clark Kessinger and jazz saxophonist Leon "Chu" Berry who played with Cab Calloway.

As you can see, West Virginia isn't just about hillbilly music! (Even if we are mighty proud of that heritage.) Musicians from all genres spring from them thar hills! Hmmm... I wonder if one day Bongwater might be inducted? We did write a song called "Mystery Hole" about one of the more infamous attractions in the state.

For more info on the event check out my L.A. Woman column in the November "hard copy" issue of PAPER.

For more info on the WVa Music Hall of Fame and the inductees click here. (Where you can also hear the beautiful voices of The Nichols Family -- my new favorite singing group!)

P.S. L.A. Woman will be a Mountain Mama for a couple of weeks and will consequently be New Media-free! So have a great Thanksgiving and see ya'll after the 28th!