Songwriting in Contemporary West Virginia

Travis D. Stimeling is associate professor of music history at West Virginia University, where he also directs the WVU Bluegrass and Old-Time Bands. His previous books include Cosmic Cowboys and New Hicks: The Countercultural Sounds of Austin’s Progressive Country Music Scene, The Country Music Reader, and Fifty Cents and a Box Top: The Creative Life of Nashville Session Musician Charlie McCoy, published by WVU Press.

Travis Stimeling has painted a representative, pointedly contemporary portrait of West Virginia songwriters."" - Jewly Hight, author of Right by Her Roots: Americana Women and Their Songs""West Virginia’s hills are alive with the sound of music. And with Travis Stimeling as Mountain State music tour guide, audiences can now explore the work of songwriters who call these coalfields, creeks, and cities their home."" - Joni Deutsch, host of Change of Tune on West Virginia Public Broadcasting