Album Notes

It warms my heart to meet and get to know certain top quality young musicians who seem to be particular about their music. Jackson Cunningham and Martha Spencer are such a couple. Unlike many in the current generation of young musicians in their 20's, they do not focus on the current trends in what's generally known as old-time and bluegrass music. As listeners and players, they are not drawn to the 'jazzy' hot licks and the 'soul singer' vocals of many of their peers. That kind of individualism gets recognized as true talent far too often in the realm of bluegrass, country, and gospel music in my opinion. Nor are they drawn to the national old-time music scene that seems to be often lacking an understanding of the fundamentals of mountain dance music. In what this collection on this CD represents, however, the music made by Jackson and Martha is much deeper. These performances are tasteful and solid, yet, not flashy or fancy. This propensity for coming up with an interesting sound in their many types of songs and tunes is not just by chance.


They have been fortunate to have been influenced by family members who were focused on their own preferences for music. Jackson, born and raised in Oregon, with a varied musical background was urged by his musical father, Jack, to come east to the Blue Ridge region to live in the midst of the birthplace of the music he himself loved. Jackson has become an avid collector of classic bluegrass and gospel recordings. Consequently, he has assimilated a purity in his vocals and mandolin work inspired by the classic bluegrass sound he was drawn to. Martha, born into a musical family was immersed from day one into a world of singing, banjo playing and fiddling from the Whitetop area of Southwest Virginia. Inspired by both her parents, Thorton and Emily Spencer , she has mastered their vocal and instrumental techniques and surely makes them proud. Martha's uncle, the late old-time fiddler Albert Hash, would be proud as well.


Together, Jackson and Martha choose to do songs from sources that reflect the strong musical traditions of their home region including bluegrass, country, old-time, and gospel. As a true fan and performer of similar music, the choice of songs and tunes for this CD seems to me to be a fine tribute to some of the fine songwriters and performers who have had an impact on the region's reputation for great music. Jackson and Martha's solid renditions and enthusiastic performances of these and other great songs in their repetoire are a welcome addition to the fine music of Southwest Virginia.
-Mac Traynham


The Whitetop Mountaineers are one of my favorite groups. I've known them for a quite a few years, and have been privileged to watch them develop as artists. They come from a background as rich as the red Appalachian clay, and whether you're a fan of bluegrass music or not, they offer an intimate look at music that represents a culture and region that is rarely exposed to people unfamiliar with its heritage. Everyone who attended their performance left with eyes opened wider and a two-step just itching to break free. Many of my regular attendees have told me that it was their favorite of the entire House Show Series. -- M. Branin