Rhythm and blues music, Gospel music, Apprenticeship programs, Soul music, Fiddle tunes, Old-time music, African Americans--Appalachian Region, Fiddling, and Folk music--West Virginia
Master blues and gospel singer Doris Fields aka Lady D performs "Take This Hammer" at an Apprenticeship Showcase at the West Virginia Humanities Council
Date:
2019-01-16
Creator:
Keller, Mike
Subject:
Rhythm and blues music, Apprenticeship programs, African Americans--Appalachian Region, Concerts, Gospel music, and Soul music
Folklife Apprenticeship Program participants Doris Fields aka Lady D and Xavier Oglesby perform at the West Virginia Humanities Council
Date:
2019-01-16
Creator:
Keller, Mike
Subject:
Gospel music, Concerts, Folk music--West Virginia, Soul music, Rhythm and blues music, Apprenticeship programs, and African Americans--Appalachian Region
Portrait of Dem 2 Brothers grill master Ron Blanks
Date:
2019-11-22
Creator:
Patrick, Wendel
Subject:
African American cooking, Food industry and trade--Employees, foodways, Restaurants--United States, African Americans--Appalachian Region, and Barbecuing
![["On the evening of Wednesday, January 16, 2019, The West Virginia Folklife Program hosted a showcase of their Folklife Apprenticeship Program, featuring master gospel and blues musician Doris Fields (aka Lady D) with apprentice Xavier Oglesby, and master old-time fiddler John D. Morris with apprentice Jen Iskow. The free event was held from 5:30-7:30pm at the historic MacFarland-Hubbard House, headquarters of the West Virginia Humanities Council (1310 Kanawha Blvd. E), in Charleston. The evening included musical performances by the two pairs and a question-answer session, followed by a reception.Doris Fields, who performs as Lady D, is known as West Virginias First Lady of Soul. A West Virginia native, she began singing in church choir as a child and has performed original and traditional blues, gospel, R&B, and soul across the state and country, including for the Obama for Change Inaugural Ball. Xavier Oglesby grew up singing in the black Pentecostal church and has performed in local a capella and theatre groups. He recently recorded voiceovers for the New River Gorge African American Heritage Auto Tour. Both Fields and Oglesby reside in Beckley.John D. Morris, of Ivydale, is an acclaimed West Virginia fiddler and tradition bearer who has been honored by the Augusta Heritage Center, the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, the West Virginia Fiddler Award, and a National Heritage Fellowship for his role in sustaining the tradition. Jen Iskow, of Thomas, is a West Virginia University alumni, community organizer, artist, and designer at Beartown Design Studio. She has studied with numerous masters of Appalachian old-time fiddle.The West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program offers a stipend to West Virginia master traditional artists or tradition bearers working with qualified apprentices on a year-long in-depth apprenticeship in their cultural expression or traditional art form. These apprenticeships aim to facilitate the transmission of techniques and artistry of the forms, as well as their histories and traditions. 2018 was the first year of the biennial Folklife Apprenticeship Program.Read more about the apprenticeship pairs on the West Virginia Folklife blog:https://wvfolklife.org/2018/12/03/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-doris-fields-aka-lady-d-xavier-oglesby-blues-black-gospel/https://wvfolklife.org/2018/11/09/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-john-morris-jen-iskow-old-time-fiddling-and-stories-of-clay-county/"]](/thumb/4224ApprenticeshipShowcasePhoto00111619 "John D. Morris' fiddles")
![["On the evening of Wednesday, January 16, 2019, The West Virginia Folklife Program hosted a showcase of their Folklife Apprenticeship Program, featuring master gospel and blues musician Doris Fields (aka Lady D) with apprentice Xavier Oglesby, and master old-time fiddler John D. Morris with apprentice Jen Iskow. The free event was held from 5:30-7:30pm at the historic MacFarland-Hubbard House, headquarters of the West Virginia Humanities Council (1310 Kanawha Blvd. E), in Charleston. The evening included musical performances by the two pairs and a question-answer session, followed by a reception.Doris Fields, who performs as Lady D, is known as West Virginias First Lady of Soul. A West Virginia native, she began singing in church choir as a child and has performed original and traditional blues, gospel, R&B, and soul across the state and country, including for the Obama for Change Inaugural Ball. Xavier Oglesby grew up singing in the black Pentecostal church and has performed in local a capella and theatre groups. He recently recorded voiceovers for the New River Gorge African American Heritage Auto Tour. Both Fields and Oglesby reside in Beckley.John D. Morris, of Ivydale, is an acclaimed West Virginia fiddler and tradition bearer who has been honored by the Augusta Heritage Center, the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, the West Virginia Fiddler Award, and a National Heritage Fellowship for his role in sustaining the tradition. Jen Iskow, of Thomas, is a West Virginia University alumni, community organizer, artist, and designer at Beartown Design Studio. She has studied with numerous masters of Appalachian old-time fiddle.The West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program offers a stipend to West Virginia master traditional artists or tradition bearers working with qualified apprentices on a year-long in-depth apprenticeship in their cultural expression or traditional art form. These apprenticeships aim to facilitate the transmission of techniques and artistry of the forms, as well as their histories and traditions. 2018 was the first year of the biennial Folklife Apprenticeship Program.Read more about the apprenticeship pairs on the West Virginia Folklife blog:https://wvfolklife.org/2018/12/03/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-doris-fields-aka-lady-d-xavier-oglesby-blues-black-gospel/https://wvfolklife.org/2018/11/09/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-john-morris-jen-iskow-old-time-fiddling-and-stories-of-clay-county/"]](/thumb/4224ApprenticeshipShowcasePhoto00311619 "Audience at the Folklife Apprenticeship Showcase held at the West Virginia Humanities Council's MacFarland-Hubbard House, 2 of 2")
![["On the evening of Wednesday, January 16, 2019, The West Virginia Folklife Program hosted a showcase of their Folklife Apprenticeship Program, featuring master gospel and blues musician Doris Fields (aka Lady D) with apprentice Xavier Oglesby, and master old-time fiddler John D. Morris with apprentice Jen Iskow. The free event was held from 5:30-7:30pm at the historic MacFarland-Hubbard House, headquarters of the West Virginia Humanities Council (1310 Kanawha Blvd. E), in Charleston. The evening included musical performances by the two pairs and a question-answer session, followed by a reception.Doris Fields, who performs as Lady D, is known as West Virginias First Lady of Soul. A West Virginia native, she began singing in church choir as a child and has performed original and traditional blues, gospel, R&B, and soul across the state and country, including for the Obama for Change Inaugural Ball. Xavier Oglesby grew up singing in the black Pentecostal church and has performed in local a capella and theatre groups. He recently recorded voiceovers for the New River Gorge African American Heritage Auto Tour. Both Fields and Oglesby reside in Beckley.John D. Morris, of Ivydale, is an acclaimed West Virginia fiddler and tradition bearer who has been honored by the Augusta Heritage Center, the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, the West Virginia Fiddler Award, and a National Heritage Fellowship for his role in sustaining the tradition. Jen Iskow, of Thomas, is a West Virginia University alumni, community organizer, artist, and designer at Beartown Design Studio. She has studied with numerous masters of Appalachian old-time fiddle.The West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program offers a stipend to West Virginia master traditional artists or tradition bearers working with qualified apprentices on a year-long in-depth apprenticeship in their cultural expression or traditional art form. These apprenticeships aim to facilitate the transmission of techniques and artistry of the forms, as well as their histories and traditions. 2018 was the first year of the biennial Folklife Apprenticeship Program.Read more about the apprenticeship pairs on the West Virginia Folklife blog:https://wvfolklife.org/2018/12/03/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-doris-fields-aka-lady-d-xavier-oglesby-blues-black-gospel/https://wvfolklife.org/2018/11/09/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-john-morris-jen-iskow-old-time-fiddling-and-stories-of-clay-county/"]](/thumb/4224ApprenticeshipShowcasePhoto01411619 "Doris Fields aka Lady D performs at an Apprenticeship Showcase at the West Virginia Humanities Council")
![["On the evening of Wednesday, January 16, 2019, The West Virginia Folklife Program hosted a showcase of their Folklife Apprenticeship Program, featuring master gospel and blues musician Doris Fields (aka Lady D) with apprentice Xavier Oglesby, and master old-time fiddler John D. Morris with apprentice Jen Iskow. The free event was held from 5:30-7:30pm at the historic MacFarland-Hubbard House, headquarters of the West Virginia Humanities Council (1310 Kanawha Blvd. E), in Charleston. The evening included musical performances by the two pairs and a question-answer session, followed by a reception.Doris Fields, who performs as Lady D, is known as West Virginias First Lady of Soul. A West Virginia native, she began singing in church choir as a child and has performed original and traditional blues, gospel, R&B, and soul across the state and country, including for the Obama for Change Inaugural Ball. Xavier Oglesby grew up singing in the black Pentecostal church and has performed in local a capella and theatre groups. He recently recorded voiceovers for the New River Gorge African American Heritage Auto Tour. Both Fields and Oglesby reside in Beckley.John D. Morris, of Ivydale, is an acclaimed West Virginia fiddler and tradition bearer who has been honored by the Augusta Heritage Center, the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, the West Virginia Fiddler Award, and a National Heritage Fellowship for his role in sustaining the tradition. Jen Iskow, of Thomas, is a West Virginia University alumni, community organizer, artist, and designer at Beartown Design Studio. She has studied with numerous masters of Appalachian old-time fiddle.The West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program offers a stipend to West Virginia master traditional artists or tradition bearers working with qualified apprentices on a year-long in-depth apprenticeship in their cultural expression or traditional art form. These apprenticeships aim to facilitate the transmission of techniques and artistry of the forms, as well as their histories and traditions. 2018 was the first year of the biennial Folklife Apprenticeship Program.Read more about the apprenticeship pairs on the West Virginia Folklife blog:https://wvfolklife.org/2018/12/03/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-doris-fields-aka-lady-d-xavier-oglesby-blues-black-gospel/https://wvfolklife.org/2018/11/09/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-john-morris-jen-iskow-old-time-fiddling-and-stories-of-clay-county/"]](/thumb/4224ApprenticeshipShowcasePhoto01511619 "Master blues and gospel singer Doris Fields aka Lady D performs \"Take This Hammer\" at an Apprenticeship Showcase at the West Virginia Humanities Council")
![["On the evening of Wednesday, January 16, 2019, The West Virginia Folklife Program hosted a showcase of their Folklife Apprenticeship Program, featuring master gospel and blues musician Doris Fields (aka Lady D) with apprentice Xavier Oglesby, and master old-time fiddler John D. Morris with apprentice Jen Iskow. The free event was held from 5:30-7:30pm at the historic MacFarland-Hubbard House, headquarters of the West Virginia Humanities Council (1310 Kanawha Blvd. E), in Charleston. The evening included musical performances by the two pairs and a question-answer session, followed by a reception.Doris Fields, who performs as Lady D, is known as West Virginias First Lady of Soul. A West Virginia native, she began singing in church choir as a child and has performed original and traditional blues, gospel, R&B, and soul across the state and country, including for the Obama for Change Inaugural Ball. Xavier Oglesby grew up singing in the black Pentecostal church and has performed in local a capella and theatre groups. He recently recorded voiceovers for the New River Gorge African American Heritage Auto Tour. Both Fields and Oglesby reside in Beckley.John D. Morris, of Ivydale, is an acclaimed West Virginia fiddler and tradition bearer who has been honored by the Augusta Heritage Center, the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, the West Virginia Fiddler Award, and a National Heritage Fellowship for his role in sustaining the tradition. Jen Iskow, of Thomas, is a West Virginia University alumni, community organizer, artist, and designer at Beartown Design Studio. She has studied with numerous masters of Appalachian old-time fiddle.The West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program offers a stipend to West Virginia master traditional artists or tradition bearers working with qualified apprentices on a year-long in-depth apprenticeship in their cultural expression or traditional art form. These apprenticeships aim to facilitate the transmission of techniques and artistry of the forms, as well as their histories and traditions. 2018 was the first year of the biennial Folklife Apprenticeship Program.Read more about the apprenticeship pairs on the West Virginia Folklife blog:https://wvfolklife.org/2018/12/03/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-doris-fields-aka-lady-d-xavier-oglesby-blues-black-gospel/https://wvfolklife.org/2018/11/09/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-john-morris-jen-iskow-old-time-fiddling-and-stories-of-clay-county/"]](/thumb/4224ApprenticeshipShowcasePhoto01611619 "Folklife Apprenticeship Program participants Doris Fields aka Lady D and Xavier Oglesby perform at the West Virginia Humanities Council")
![["On the evening of Wednesday, January 16, 2019, The West Virginia Folklife Program hosted a showcase of their Folklife Apprenticeship Program, featuring master gospel and blues musician Doris Fields (aka Lady D) with apprentice Xavier Oglesby, and master old-time fiddler John D. Morris with apprentice Jen Iskow. The free event was held from 5:30-7:30pm at the historic MacFarland-Hubbard House, headquarters of the West Virginia Humanities Council (1310 Kanawha Blvd. E), in Charleston. The evening included musical performances by the two pairs and a question-answer session, followed by a reception.Doris Fields, who performs as Lady D, is known as West Virginias First Lady of Soul. A West Virginia native, she began singing in church choir as a child and has performed original and traditional blues, gospel, R&B, and soul across the state and country, including for the Obama for Change Inaugural Ball. Xavier Oglesby grew up singing in the black Pentecostal church and has performed in local a capella and theatre groups. He recently recorded voiceovers for the New River Gorge African American Heritage Auto Tour. Both Fields and Oglesby reside in Beckley.John D. Morris, of Ivydale, is an acclaimed West Virginia fiddler and tradition bearer who has been honored by the Augusta Heritage Center, the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, the West Virginia Fiddler Award, and a National Heritage Fellowship for his role in sustaining the tradition. Jen Iskow, of Thomas, is a West Virginia University alumni, community organizer, artist, and designer at Beartown Design Studio. She has studied with numerous masters of Appalachian old-time fiddle.The West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program offers a stipend to West Virginia master traditional artists or tradition bearers working with qualified apprentices on a year-long in-depth apprenticeship in their cultural expression or traditional art form. These apprenticeships aim to facilitate the transmission of techniques and artistry of the forms, as well as their histories and traditions. 2018 was the first year of the biennial Folklife Apprenticeship Program.Read more about the apprenticeship pairs on the West Virginia Folklife blog:https://wvfolklife.org/2018/12/03/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-doris-fields-aka-lady-d-xavier-oglesby-blues-black-gospel/https://wvfolklife.org/2018/11/09/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-john-morris-jen-iskow-old-time-fiddling-and-stories-of-clay-county/"]](/thumb/4224ApprenticeshipShowcasePhoto01711619 "Blues and gospel singer Xavier Oglesby performs with Doris Fields aka Lady D at an Apprenticeship Showcase at the West Virginia Humanities Council")
![["On the evening of Wednesday, January 16, 2019, The West Virginia Folklife Program hosted a showcase of their Folklife Apprenticeship Program, featuring master gospel and blues musician Doris Fields (aka Lady D) with apprentice Xavier Oglesby, and master old-time fiddler John D. Morris with apprentice Jen Iskow. The free event was held from 5:30-7:30pm at the historic MacFarland-Hubbard House, headquarters of the West Virginia Humanities Council (1310 Kanawha Blvd. E), in Charleston. The evening included musical performances by the two pairs and a question-answer session, followed by a reception.Doris Fields, who performs as Lady D, is known as West Virginias First Lady of Soul. A West Virginia native, she began singing in church choir as a child and has performed original and traditional blues, gospel, R&B, and soul across the state and country, including for the Obama for Change Inaugural Ball. Xavier Oglesby grew up singing in the black Pentecostal church and has performed in local a capella and theatre groups. He recently recorded voiceovers for the New River Gorge African American Heritage Auto Tour. Both Fields and Oglesby reside in Beckley.John D. Morris, of Ivydale, is an acclaimed West Virginia fiddler and tradition bearer who has been honored by the Augusta Heritage Center, the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, the West Virginia Fiddler Award, and a National Heritage Fellowship for his role in sustaining the tradition. Jen Iskow, of Thomas, is a West Virginia University alumni, community organizer, artist, and designer at Beartown Design Studio. She has studied with numerous masters of Appalachian old-time fiddle.The West Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program offers a stipend to West Virginia master traditional artists or tradition bearers working with qualified apprentices on a year-long in-depth apprenticeship in their cultural expression or traditional art form. These apprenticeships aim to facilitate the transmission of techniques and artistry of the forms, as well as their histories and traditions. 2018 was the first year of the biennial Folklife Apprenticeship Program.Read more about the apprenticeship pairs on the West Virginia Folklife blog:https://wvfolklife.org/2018/12/03/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-doris-fields-aka-lady-d-xavier-oglesby-blues-black-gospel/https://wvfolklife.org/2018/11/09/2018-master-artist-apprentice-feature-john-morris-jen-iskow-old-time-fiddling-and-stories-of-clay-county/"]](/thumb/4224ApprenticeshipShowcasePhoto01811619 "Blues and gospel singer Doris Fields aka Lady D performs with Xavier Oglesby at an Apprenticeship Showcase at the West Virginia Humanities Council")
![["Ron Blanks is the grill master at Dem 2 Brothers and a Grill restaurant on Charleston's West Side. Blanks was photographed by producer Wendel Patrick as part of the Out of the Blocks podcasts two episodes on Charlestons West Side. Learn more: https://wvfolklife.org/2020/01/17/out-of-the-blocks-podcast-highlights-charlestons-west-side-west-virginia-folklife-hosts-listening-party-february-12/"]](/thumb/4224BlanksRonPhoto001112219 "Portrait of Dem 2 Brothers grill master Ron Blanks")
![["Rev. Ronald English of Charleston, West Virginia was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1944. He grew up in the community surrounding the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Atlanta and his family was close with the family of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. English is a graduate of Morehouse College and served as ministerial assistant to Drs. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sr. He delivered a prayer at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Rev. English was called to the First Baptist Church of Charleston in 1972 where he served for 21 years. He now serves as an interim minister in Charleston and is a consultant in healing and restorative justice.In this interview with state folklorist Emily Hilliard and American Friends Service Committee West Virginia Economic Justice Project director Rick Wilson, Rev. English speaks about his relationship with Dr. King, his work as a pastor and community leader in Charleston, and his mindfulness practice."]](/thumb/4224EnglishRonaldPhoto0019419 "Portrait of Rev. Ron English")
![["Rev. Ronald English of Charleston, West Virginia was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1944. He grew up in the community surrounding the Ebenezer Baptist Church of Atlanta and his family was close with the family of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. English is a graduate of Morehouse College and served as ministerial assistant to Drs. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sr. He delivered a prayer at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Rev. English was called to the First Baptist Church of Charleston in 1972 where he served for 21 years. He now serves as an interim minister in Charleston and is a consultant in healing and restorative justice.In this interview with state folklorist Emily Hilliard and American Friends Service Committee West Virginia Economic Justice Project director Rick Wilson, Rev. English speaks about his relationship with Dr. King, his work as a pastor and community leader in Charleston, and his mindfulness practice."]](/thumb/4224EnglishRonaldPhoto0029419 "Rick Wilson and Rev. Ron English")
![["Doris A. Fields, aka Lady D, known as West Virginias First Lady of Soul is an R&B, soul, and blues musician and songwriter living in Beckley. She is the founder and organizer of West Virginias Simply Jazz and Blues Festival and previously hosted the weekly Simply Jazz and Blues radio show on Groovy94 in Beckley. In 2008, Fields original song Go Higher won an online contest sponsored by the Obama Music Arts and Entertainment Group. She performed the song as a headliner at the Obama for Change Inauguration Ball with President Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama in attendance."]](/thumb/4224FieldsDorisPhoto0013817 "Portrait of Doris Fields aka Lady D")
![["Doris A. Fields, aka Lady D, known as West Virginias First Lady of Soul is an R&B, soul, and blues musician and songwriter living in Beckley. She is the founder and organizer of West Virginias Simply Jazz and Blues Festival and previously hosted the weekly Simply Jazz and Blues radio show on Groovy94 in Beckley. In 2008, Fields original song Go Higher won an online contest sponsored by the Obama Music Arts and Entertainment Group. She performed the song as a headliner at the Obama for Change Inauguration Ball with President Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama in attendance."]](/thumb/4224FieldsDorisPhoto0023817 "Doris Fields aka Lady D at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Charleston, WV")