Lockie and Johnnie Coates were pillars of their community and widely respected. Lockie kept everyone connected through her network of friends at church and by regularly calling everyone she knew to check on them and see how they were doing. They lived in a house that was built around a large one-room cabin constructed before the Civil War. Over the years it was expanded to accommodate the needs of the six successive generations who raised their families there. Lockie and Johnnie have both passed away now, but you'll meet their son Dale Coates and daughter, Yvonne Coates Cantrell, and hear stories about growing up in the home, their parents, and life on the family farm in the remote mountains of western North Carolina.
Dale, Yvonne, and Dale’s wife, Iva Jean will sing a couple of acapella gospel songs standing in the living room of the old home place, the walls covered with family photographs. The interview with Dale and Yvonne is augmented with video clips that show the farm today. Also included are black and white images I made over the years of Lockie and Johnnie, who were two of my favorite people. You’ll hear Lockie tell stories, in her own voice, from recordings I made with her decades ago. We think you'll really enjoy getting to know this wonderful and kind family.
The black and white images used in the episode are taken from my files and books, The Face of Appalachia: Portraits from the Mountain, On Earth’s Furrowed Brow: The Appalachian Farm in Photographs, and Hands in Harmony: Traditional Crafts and Music in Appalachia. The latter features a 22-song music CD including tunes used in our episodes.
We hope you enjoy this episode as we continue to honor the people, vibrant culture, and strong traditions of Appalachia.
23 авг 2024
