Inside Appalachia Has New Theme Music

When the Inside Appalachia team talked with West Virginia composer Matt Jackfert about new theme music, it seemed like a tall order. The team was looking for something that’s true to the Appalachian roots but doesn’t sound like a stereotypical tune. 

Jackfert, who is host of WVPB’s Classical Music program, said that the theme music came to him after he woke up from a nap. He says he pulled from his experience as a native to come up with something that is new and fresh for Inside Appalachia.

After putting together some electronic demos, he called on local musicians to help bring it to life. They developed the Inside Appalachia Theme as well as six other tunes that listeners will begin hearing throughout the show. Artists who lent their talents to the music include:

• John Query on percussion
• Joseph Cevallos on violin, alto recorder, jaw harp
• Jim Lange, who is host of WVPB’s quirky music show Eclectopia,  on guitar

  Credit Eric Douglas / West Virginia Public Broadcasting

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  West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Shortly after they brought it to life in a recording, he listened and talked about some of the tunes with host Jessica Lilly.

Here’s an extended version of the conversation. 

About Inside Appalachia

Inside Appalachia tells the stories of Appalachia. Host Jessica Lilly leads listeners on an audio tour of the region’s rich history, our food, our music and our culture. We also talk with people who are dealing with the realities facing Appalachians — from the opioid addiction epidemic, to loss of jobs, to unreliable water systems and problems with public education. 

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with help from public radio stations in Kentucky, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West Virginia. 

Inside Appalachia airs at 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays across the West Virginia Public Broadcasting radio network. It also airs on public and commercial radio stations throughout the region. 

Additionally, Inside Appalachia is a popular podcast where, as Lilly frequently points out, “you can listen to the show on your own time.” Inside Appalachia is available as a podcast at wvpublic.org, through iTunes or however you get your podcasts. Just search “Inside Appalachia”. 

You also can hear the theme music and other new tunes on the Inside Appalachia podcast. Subscribe to the show to hear more.