Appalachian Migration Music Links

Whether you are a fan of country, bluegrass, and old-timey mountain music or not...there is nothing quite like a song to tell the story of Appalachia.  Appalachia has given birth to some of the most amazing musicians, and so many of them have payed tribute to the mountains through their works.  Some of these works even deal specifically with migration from Appalachia.  If you want to understand the Appalachian migration experience better, or if you just want to close your eyes, lean back and reminisce about your own past memories of the region...these tunes can be the perfect way.  So here are a few links for how to purchase some of my favorite songs about Appalachia and those who left.  Happy listening!

"Appalachian Memories" by Dolly Parton (This is my all time favorite song about Appalachia!  If you want to understand what Appalroot Farm is all about...I feel like this beautiful song captures my sentiments.  If you only purchase one song from this whole list, this would be the one I recommend.  Even if you aren't a country music fan, this song sums up the migration experience so well that you really should take a listen.)-http://www.amazon.com/Appalachian-Memories/dp/B001EVVKHG

"Readin', Rightin', Rt. 23" by Dwight Yoakam (I'm partial to this song because Route 23 was the road we usually travelled to get back to my grandparents' farm in Eastern Kentucky.  And...confession time...there may or may not be a line in this song that makes me cry like a baby every time I hear it.)- http://www.dwightyoakam.com/songs/readin-rightin-rt-23

"Hills of Home" by Hazel Dickens- https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/a-few-old-memories/id470815853

"Rank Strangers" by The Stanley Brothers (I have so many memories of my dad singing this song when I was growing up.  Anyone who left Appalachia will likely relate to the lyrics.)- http://www.amazon.com/Rank-Strangers/dp/B003ME2U2W

"I Wanna Go Home" by Sundy Best (If you like a little more rock to your music, and your roots happen to be in Eastern Kentucky, you might enjoy this one.)- https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bring-up-the-sun/id805708556

"East Kentucky Home" by The SteelDrivers- https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-steeldrivers/id380427232

"South of Cincinnati" by Tommy Webb- http://www.amazon.com/South-of-Cincinnati/dp/B0013YXZ9A

My dad pickin' an old bluegrass tune