TOP PHOTO: The Cumberland Gap Folkfest is dedicated to preserving and sharing the cultural traditions of our part of the world. 

Campbell County musicians and artisans Joseph Hensley and Tony Branam demonstrated at Saturday’s Folkfest in Cumberland Gap. The pair showed off their luthier skills, alongside the master luthier and fiddle player Keith Williams whom the pair had apprenticed under as part of the Tennessee Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program.

CUMBERLAND GAP, TN (WLAF) – Tennessee Folklife Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program participants showcased their talents at the Cumberland Gap Folkfest on Saturday. 

Campbell County musicians and artisans Joseph Hensley and Tony Branam showed off their luthier skills, alongside the master luthier and fiddle player Keith Williams whom the pair had apprenticed under.

Postmark LaFollette’s Samantha Hensley, Joseph Hensley and Robin Marie represented Postmark LaFollette at Saturday’s Folkfest in Cumberland Gap.

Hensley and Branam were present with the fiddles they made, fielding questions about their luthier experience (building stringed instruments.) There was plenty of bluegrass music and jam sessions as well. 

The mother-daughter team of Jeanette and Charlotte Underwood were also at Saturday’s festival detailing traditional Appalachian agricultural practices, such as seed saving, planting by the signs, foraging and food preservation. Jeanette is pictured here talking about her heirloom Moss Ivey Beans.

The mother-daughter team of Jeanette and Charlotte Underwood from La Follette were also at Saturday’s festival detailing traditional Appalachian agricultural practices, such as seed saving, planting by the signs, foraging and food preservation. Folks got to try a taste of Jeanette Underwood’s pin cherry apple jelly and learn about her heirloom Moss Ivey Beans, which she has grown and saved seeds from since 1966.

The Cumberland Gap Folkfest is dedicated to preserving and sharing the cultural traditions of our part of the world. 
Their participation was made possible by a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/14/2023-6AM)

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