This week's premiere broadcast of Mountain Stage was recorded on the campus of West Virginia University at the Canady Creative Arts Center. On this episode, we hear live performances from Duke Robillard Band, Cedric Burnside, Sam Weber, Las Cafeteras, and The Black Feathers.
Home » June 7, 1905: Fiddler French Carpenter Born
Published
June 7, 1905: Fiddler French Carpenter Born
Listen
Share this Article
Fiddler French Carpenter was born in Clay County on June 7, 1905.
For generations, the Carpenter family was renowned for its musical ability, and French may have been the best of the lot. He learned most of his music directly from his father, Tom, a fiddling preacher.
Tom had learned from his father, Sol, one of the most influential fiddlers in central West Virginia.
Here’s a clip of French Carpenter playing “Camp Chase,” which his grandfather Sol supposedly came up with to win a fiddle contest and his freedom from a Union prison during the Civil War.
French Carpenter died in 1965, shortly before his 60th birthday. Another Clay County fiddler, Wilson Douglas, continued the Carpenter music tradition for the rest of the 20th century.
The deadline to file a federal aid claim over personal property damaged in August 2023 flooding incidents is April 1. West Virginia residents of several counties can receive grants for damages not covered by insurance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided guidance to residents seeking federal aid after floods ravaged several counties in southern and central West Virginia in August.
Flooding throughout the day Monday caused significant damage to roads, houses and bridges in central and southern West Virginia. There have been no deaths reported so far due to flooding. Officials are still working to assess damage. Many houses were flooded, and some were washed away.