Abstract ID: 3.18686 | Accepted as Poster | Requested as: Talk | TBA | TBA

Like many mountain regions around the globe, the southern Appalachian Mountains in the United States are known as a wellspring for musical traditions. Joe Wilson, music scholar and former director of the National Council for Traditional Arts, acknowledged the diverse cultural significance of the Appalachian subrange of the Blue Ridge stating: “The music of this region is historic, known by millions… its roots are grounded in the British Isles, in Europe, and in Africa” (2017, 3). While deeply connected to a diverse and expansive history, these music styles are still a functional part of communities and are constantly being reimagined in the 21st century, playing a crucial role in social and environmental movements in the region. This presentation acknowledges Appalachia’s music traditions as a form of creative placemaking. As defined by the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts, placemaking “requires partnership across sectors, deeply engages the community, involves artists, designers and culture bearers, and helps to advance local economic, physical, and/or social change, ultimately laying the groundwork for systems change.” Through grassroots organizations and programs such as Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) and the Mountain Music School, Appalachian music traditions have been an active part of revitalizing arts in regional communities as well as in recovery efforts from natural disasters such as Hurricane Helene. Music as a form of placemaking has been leveraged by many contemporary environmental groups, including the central Appalachia-based POWHR (Protect Our Water Heritage Rights) Coalition. POWHR’s key struggle has been against the building of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a fracked gas pipeline whose construction has devastated communities and environments across southern and central Appalachia. This presentation further shows how power is situated at the center of contestations over natural resources, environment, and economy–revealing the ways that power holders disregard local ways of knowing that are imbued with cultural value. While the fight was ultimately unsuccessful in stopping the pipeline, it was successful in building community, reinforcing a strong sense of place, and valuing local knowledge. For residents along the path of the pipeline, protecting the environment goes hand in hand with protecting their cultural heritage.