Album Notes

West Virginia Chose Me

“The Celtic influence on musical styles of the Appalachian mountain region, and, in turn, a mountain flavor to familiar Celtic airs, form the substance of the self-produced disc by the group Mountain Thyme. It’s a gentle project of music performed by six women who obviously know and love both the music and its sources.”
(Dirty Linen Folk & World Music)


This recording is memorable collection of traditional and original songs and tunes in a style that if often described as "Appalachian Celtic". The songs have combinations of solo and multi-layered harmonies. Instrumentally, the sound is acoustic strings and flute, with just a touch of electronic piano.

The title track "West Virginia Chose Me" was written by our friend Colleen Anderson who captured the very essence of the special nature and appeal of our place in the mountains of Appalachia.

Our enjoyment of playing and performing our own distinctive brand of traditional music - influenced by our various connections to rock and roll, blues, classical, folk, and contemporary music through the years - is evident in the recording.

Mountain Thyme in 1997 featured:

Bonnie Tatterson - vocals & mandolin
Pam Curry - vocals, bouzouki & piano
Peggy Longwell - guitar & mandolin
Jan Hartstein - vocals & flute
Libby Musser - vocals & bass
Stacy Miller - cello

Our guest musicians: Clark Miller - guitar; Colin Ramirez -penny whistle; Tom Thurman - guitar; & John Longwell - mandolin.