The Talking Appalachian Podcast
Talking Appalachian is a podcast about the Appalachian Mountain region's language or "voiceplaces," cultures, and communities. The podcast is hosted by Dr. Amy Clark, a Professor of Communication Studies and Director of the Center for Appalachian Studies at the University of Virginia's College at Wise. The podcast is based on her 2013 co-edited book Talking Appalachian: Voice, Identity, and Community. Her writing on Appalachia has appeared in the New York Times, Oxford American Magazine, Salon.com, on NPR, and Harvard University Press blog. She is also founder and director of the Appalachian Writing Project, which serves teachers, students, and the communities of the central Appalachian region.
The Talking Appalachian Podcast
The 1929 Cyclone of Rye Cove, Virginia: Storm, Song, and Suit
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In this episode, we head back to May 2, 1929, when a deadly tornado tore through the small mountain community of Rye Cove, Virginia, claiming the lives of 12 schoolchildren and one teacher and leaving lasting scars on the region.
We explore:
- What happened that spring afternoon in Rye Cove and the impact on the community.
- How the tragedy inspired a haunting ballad by the Carter Family, written by A.P. Carter who witnessed the storm and its aftermath.
- A little-known legal battle that followed: a surprising lawsuit settled in 1931 that raised questions about school safety, weather preparedness, and district accountability.
From the winds of tragedy to the echoes in old-time music and the courtroom, this episode weaves together history, culture, and Appalachian resilience.
To see photos of the storm's aftermath and hear a full account of the tornado from one of the schoolchildren subscribe to Talking Appalachian on Patreon
🎶 Featuring clips from "The Cyclone of Rye Cove" by the Carter Family.
📚 For more on the history of Rye Cove and its legacy, see my full interview on YouTube with WCYB's Kristen Quon
Ivy Attic CoJewelry from coal, river glass, and discarded books handcrafted in the central Appalachian Mountains
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Unless another artist is featured, acoustic music on most episodes: "Steam Train" written by Elizabeth Cotten and performed by Landon Spain
