When my best friend moved back to West Virginia when I was still in elementary school, I knew I had to go visit the Mountain State that I had heard so much about. After several summer visits with my family I quickly found a sort of second home away from Connecticut where I've lived my entire life. The images of the town of Keyser, the people, the vast woodlands and easy going way of life really hit me and has never left. Since those early days I've returned with my own kids and they too got an idea of how I felt about "The Friendliest Town In The USA" as the sign plainly states as you drive into town on Route 220. This song is dedicated to Margaret and Richard Campbell, my friend's parents who are no longer with us, but have made a lasting impression of kindness, family values, tough love, backwoods wisdom and southern hospitality.

Update (2023): Many thanks to my esteemed music partner and friend, Nat Daniels, for re-mastering and producing the updated track for this song.

Lyrics:  
Keyser West Virginia by Craig Durgy

If you’re out some Sunday and you check your map
Headin’ south through Maryland and the Cumberland Gap
On Route 220 where the valley comes to view

You can smell that paper mill, miles away
As the road descends into the Mountain State
Past a parkin’ lot full of cars at the Chat n’ Chew

When you cross that bridge where the North Branch flows
And you see that sign that everyone knows
There ain’t no doubt it’s Keyser, and it’s true

That it’s the, friendliest town in the, friendliest town in the,
Friendliest town…in, Keyser West Virginia,
In the whole U.S.A. 

You can ride on down along New Creek Drive
Or take a golf cart ride at the Polish Pines
And on Green Mountain someone’s huntin’ for deer 

On Friday nights in the early fall
The Golden Tornado gonna move that ball
On Saturday they say how 'bout them 'eers!

Green tomatoes in a frying pan
String beans, bacon and chicken, man!
Or try some Stray Cat wings with a couple of beers. 

That it’s the, friendliest town in the, friendliest town in the,
Friendliest town…in, Keyser West Virginia,
In the whole U.S.A. 

Here in West Virginia, Lord you know I love this mountain state
Allegheny air gets in ya, 
And man those pines at Dolly Sods look great 

Some folks work at the ABL
West Vaco also pays pretty well
And Pot State College has lots to offer too

You can be a local or from out of town
Maybe up from Dallas or from Boston down
You'll get a wave from a lotta folks that ya never knew

And if you get the urge and the highway calls
Take a day trip down to Blackwater Falls
It’s West-By-God-Virginia, through and through!

That it’s the, friendliest town in the, friendliest town in the,
Friendliest town…in, Keyser West Virginia,
In the whole U.S.A.

Keyser West Virginia

these are short songs ,poems more than musical songs really,that are meant to emphasize the lyrics that address what I think are critical issues for all of us : our relationship to each other/the planet/ourselves.. so please have a listen and let me know your thoughts. nothing fancy/cell phone recordings/take care be safe
I am now on Spotify.com ,Apple music,U-tube,Deezer as Dave Scamurra .please visit

Need help with you Backing Vocals, Time Alignment, Pitch Correction or production or Mixing!?   Message me.   I'm Singer/Songwriter/Instrumentalist and Producer focused on many Genres.  Co Owner of Gentle Rain Records and Part of the Duo https://soundcloud.com/DanielsDurgy

Singer/Songwriter concentrating on traditional country, folk and pop rock. Working as part of the duo Daniels & Durgy; https://soundcloud.com/danielsdurgy

Since i no longer have a Pro Status, my minutes are limited--Many songs had to be deleted from this page--But they have been migrated to Bandcamp--in form of albums--That is a work in progress--The half life series(which are songs with short term stays on soundcloud) will find its permanent home on Bandcamp in the form of an lp- Followers and listeners are hard to come by on Bandcamp for reason that are unclear, but if you get a chance please give that music a little Love-- Thanks to all my soundcloud Friends new and old:) see links below! cheers jeff g--

Two song writers, two kindred spirits... that found each other by pure happenstance and great fortune, to collaborate and create music together.
To see our separate artist pages, please click on the following links:
Nat Daniels   https://soundcloud.com/natdaniels
Craig Durgy  https://soundcloud.com/durge

@JTSunrise was born in Chicago, IL (the City of Blues) in 1968. JT grew up on a rural horse farm at Cuba Township near Fox River Grove, along the C&NW tracks, about an hour by train outside the city. Summer nights before the internet were for sleeping outside and watching stars, singing and playing guitar to his girlfriends, and hitching trains from his backyard. Anywhere JT went, he had his acoustic guitar slung around his back. JT also learned bass and banjo, and started a folk band in high school, playing house parties and school concerts and busking the commuter train station in Barrington, IL.

His teenage years took him around the world and to Tempe, AZ in 1987, (age 19) where he lived in the same building (and jammed often) with Spiral Stairs, a seminal guitarist who would later form the band Pavement. JT played acoustic sets at the legendary Sun Club. During this time, Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms (JT’s record store clerk friend) did his sound.

Seattle Music Era

Arriving in Seattle in 1992 with his Tempe barista girlfriend PJ (now wife), JT immersed himself in a city alive with music innovation. This was to become known as a time when Seattle bands reshaped the musical landscape. Amidst the scene, JTSunrise carved a niche and performed shows, blending busking music with the amplified Seattle sound, his Tempe-styled lyrical command, and the soul of Chicago street blues.

His performances became the background of Seattle’s music venues, from the intimate setting of **Art Bar** to the historic **OK Hotel**, where grunge legends made history. He captivated audiences at **Sit & Spin**, a venue combining a laundromat with a bar and live music, and found a true home at the **Lake Union Pub**, a legendary punk dive bar that embraced him as their own. Each chord, each lyric, carried the weight of personal experience.

Musical Influences and Style

JTSunrise draws from icons like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Billy Bragg, alongside bands he admired in Tempe such as Gin Blossoms and Dead Hot Workshop. The bands at the Sun Club and Long Wongs in Tempe, AZ shaped his sound and approach. These influences, coupled with the music scene in 1990s Seattle (including Elise Sauer, Obe-Wan Kenobe, and everyone to ever perform at the Lake Union Pub), molded his blend of folk, punk, country blues, and acoustic pop.

Signature Songs and Contributions

Among his many contributions to the musical landscape, a few songs stand out:
- **"Saint James Infirmary"**: A haunting rendition of the classic ballad.
- **"Biscuit Roller Blues"**: A soulful, gritty track that showcases blues roots.
- **"Kevin Song"**: A heartfelt, melodic piece that resonates deeply with listeners.
- **"Cure For Pain"**: A Morphine song that explores themes of struggle and redemption.
- **"Mama Tried"**: A tribute to Merle Haggard, blending acoustic blues with heartfelt emotion.
- **"O Danny Boy"**: A timeless ballad, rendered with sincerity and grace.
- **"Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"**: A fusion of folk and rock.

Prolific Output

JTSunrise has a substantial discography on SoundCloud, with over 200 tracks available. This includes a mix of original songs, raw covers, and collaborations with other artists. His music spans genres like folk, bluegrass and country blues, cowboy country, and 90s acoustic rock, reflecting his diverse influences.

Commitment to Seattle’s Artistic Community

JTSunrise’s influence extends beyond music. His commitment to authentic Seattle art is evident in his participation and support of local artists and musicians. As of 2024 he remains a licensed Pike Place Market busker, a role that allows him to share handmade music directly with the community any time, creating intimate, memorable experiences for locals and visitors.

Thanks everyone for support! 

Find other Art  and Videos by #JTSUNRISE: IG, YouTube, X, TikTok, BlueSky interweb media @JTSunriseMusic
www.linkedin.com/in/jtsunrise-music-1528072b0

writer 
song+life=Peace 
#MahsaAmini  ✌✊

Keyser West Virginia

Durge