Jazz Worship Allen Chapel 9/19/21

Charlie McClendon talks about his early life, his career backing up major-label pop stars and why he's given it up to join the church in these interviews conducted on February 26, 2013 at his Hampton, Virginia home. 

Charlie McClendon's early life and career

Joe Pug Workshop

Darrell Scott Workshop Floyd Fest 11

Peter Rowan Workshop

Darrell Scott on the porch stage with Jon Lohman at FloydFest in 2012. 

Darrell Scott Workshop at FloydFest 11

Gin Burris sings a track from Wind and Rain on the Crooked Road Series.

Gin Burris: Oh the Wind and Rain

South Boston-based sculptor and tobacco auctioneer Bob Cage is heard here auctioning tobacco on August 1, 2007. Cage passed away on November 19, 2014. 
Recording by Jim Crawford

Bob Cage: Tobacco Auction Chanting (2007)

Virginia folklorist Jon Lohman hosts a guitar workshop with Jorma Kaikonen, Larry Keel with Barry Mitterhoff and Nate Leath at FloydFest X in 2011. 

Workshop: Jorma Kaukonen and Larry Keel with Barry Mitterhoff and Nate Leath at FloydFest X (2011)

The Virginia Folklife Program presented an event—part book talk, part concert—for the Virginia Festival of the Book on March 21 featuring Gregg D. Kimball and musician-scholar Corey Harris that explored the tumultuous life of Jimmie Strothers, a little-known Virginian blues musician.

Corey Harris and Gregg Kimball | Virginia Festival of the Book 2025

David Grisman performs live at FloydFest X in 2011. 

David Grisman live at FloydFest X (2011)

07 Medley of Russian Folk Melodies

Ballad singer Elizabeth LaPrelle performs at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion in 2010. 

Elizabeth LaPrelle live at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion (2010)

Ricky Scaggs workshop with Jon Lohman on the Virginia Folklife Program stage at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion in 2010. 

Ricky Scaggs Workshop at Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion (2010)

This is the first episode in a two-part series exploring food traditions, continuity, change, and future possibilities on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Featuring excerpts from a collection of over 30 oral history interviews with Shore residents. Produced by the Virginia Folklife Program and With Good Reason of Virginia Humanities. 

Root Down to Move Forward (Part 1)

This is the second episode in a two-part series exploring food traditions, continuity, change, and future possibilities on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Featuring excerpts from a collection of over 30 oral history interviews with Shore residents. Produced by the Virginia Folklife Program and With Good Reason of Virginia Humanities. 

Root Down to Move Forward (Part 2_

Justin Black of Headwaters Down and co-curator for Riverlore hosts a storytelling set featuring  Chris Semtner from the Poe Museum on Poe's swim on the James, Ingrid Shannon discussing the beginning of recreational boating on the James, and Will Gemma to tell his version of paddling the entire James (to make Headwaters Down) and how it changed his perspective on the James River.Presented on the Riverlore Stage, Virginia Folklife Area, Richmond Folk Festival, 2025. 

Riverlore Story Hour with Justin Black and Friends

Horace Scruggs shares songs and histories of the river economies of Central Virginia and how African American history is part of Virginia’s river story. Presented on the Riverlore Stage, Virginia Folklife Area, Richmond Folk Festival, 2025.

How Rivers Shaped The Land - Carving Out An Inclusive Narrative (Horace Scruggs)

Trevor McKenzie and Julie Sheperd-Powell share songs, stories, and footwork from their collaboration with Tom Hansell, “Ancient New.” Presented on the Riverlore Stage, Virginia Folklife Area, Richmond Folk Festival, 2025. 

Ancient New Exploring the Oldest River in North America

Three Riverlore artists and leaders in their indigenous communities — Allyson Gray (Pamunkey), Brad Hatch (Patawomeck) and Autumn Morningstar Custalow Alfaro (Mattaponi) — were in conversation with Siera Hyte (Cherokee Nation) for "Indigenous Virginia Craft Revivals" on Saturday, October 11, 2025, Virginia Folklife Area, Richmond Folk Festival. They discuss their work as native artists, creators, and professionals and challenges to sustaining inherited traditions. Siera is the Schiller Family Curator of Indigenous American Art for the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Indigenous Virginia Craft Revivals

Keith Anderson, Chief, Nansemond Indian Nation and Nikki Bass, Assistant Chief, Nansemond Indian Nation, join Jamie Brunkow, Director of Advocacy and River Ecology for the James River Association in conversation about their tribe’s restoration work and future plans. 

Indigenous River Stewardship

Malcolm Smith, together with Dayne and Cassidy Shelor, share songs and stories chronicling how the New River was a conduit for music, shaping the sound of Southwest Virginia and beyond. Presented on the Riverlore Stage, Virginia Folklife Area, Richmond Folk Festival, 2025. 


Tales and Tunes of Virginia’s Rivers

Andrew Alli, James River Park Superintendent (and RFF musician!), designer Katie Lemmert, and Tricia Pearsall, member of the Historic Falls of the James Scenic River Advisory Committee and James River Outdoor Coalition. 
Moderated by Justin Doyle, James River Association’s Community Conservation Manager. A discussion panel presented by the James River Association on the Riverlore Stage, Virginia Folklife Area, Richmond Folk Festival, 2025.

Building a River for All

Elizabeth LaPrelle performs on the Porch stage at FloydFest 11 in 2012. 

Elizabeth LaPrelle at FloydFest 11 (2012)

Workshops from Stage 341 at HoustonFest in Galax on June 9 and 10, 2017.

Six String Soldiers

Shadowgrass, Jonah, Grayson and Ben Riddle and Fiddlin Carson Peters

Cabin Creek Boys perform at the Richmond Folk Festival in 2017.

Cabin Creek Boys Richmond Folk Festival 2017

Mama Girl interviewed at her home in Painter, Virginia by Virginia state Folklorist Jon Lohman.

Mama Girl Explains The Voice

Sherman Holmes performs at the Front Porch in Charlottesville with Cora Harvey Armstrong, Phil Wiggins, Jared Pool and Almeta Ingram-Miller.

The Sherman Holmes Project | Front Porch, March 2018

Grandma's Hands

The online home for the Virginia Folklife Program's audio collection. 

Virginia Folklife

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