Down From The Mountain: Coalfield Musician to Perform

April 3, 2003

     Carl Rutherford, guitarist, will perform his unique mountain style of playing on April 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Panther’s Den.

     Rutherford picks the guitar with his thumb and first finger, a style he learned from his instrument-oriented family. Raised with guitar, banjo, organ, and piano players, Rutherford became interested in music at an early age and was influenced by his family’s styles of playing.

     While working as a coal miner in McDowell County, WVa., Rutherford struggled among the other miners to avoid injuries and death until he moved to California, where he became involved as an activist for workers’ rights.

     After returning to West Virginia, Rutherford joined Big Creek People in Action, a group that works to ease the struggles of the community, through education and reform.

     Today, Rutherford writes and performs songs about the struggles of coal miners in the distinct coalfield mountain style.

     The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Elaine Carter at (540) 365-4347.

     Ferrum College is a four-year, private, co-educational, liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Ferrum offers a choice of nationally recognized bachelor’s degree programs at a cost well below the national average for private colleges. For more information on Ferrum, visit www.ferrum.edu. # # #