Local artists participate in national heritage area directory

Seven individuals and one band in Alleghany County are highlighted in an online Traditional Artist Directory through the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and the North Carolina Folklife Institute. The directory-which contains more than 240 listings-became available on the Internet earlier this year at www.blueridgeheritage.com. After double clicking on the "traditional artist directory" link, an individual can search for an artist by searching through use of a keyword and/or artist category.

It took researchers with the North Carolina Folklife Institute more than a year to gather information and recommendations within the region for the project. A panel-which included traditional artists, folklorists and regional scholars-was created to choose the individuals who would be included in the directory.

The final list included craftspeople, dancers, musicians, storytellers and other artists who the panel found to best represent traditional arts in the 25 counties included in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. To promote each individual's or group's talent, the directory includes information about the services provided by the artist(s) including craft demonstrations, performances and workshops.

On a local level, six individuals and one band from Sparta and one individual from Piney Creek were among the artists to be included in the current directory.

Making the cut were guitar player and bluegrass and old-time musician Charlie Edwards; old-time bluegrass and gospel musicians Ernest Joines and Gary Joines; fiddler and old-time musician Lucas Pasley; quilter Delta Peterson; The Rise and Shine Band, a bluegrass and bluegrass gospel band; instrument maker Fred Roupe; and instrument maker and washtub bass player John Sturgill.

In 1980, Sparta resident Fred Roupe began making instruments as a hobby. Through the years, he has found "satisfaction in making something that sounds good," stated Roupe. He then added, "I've done a lot of work for a lot of people."

Roupe also mentioned it has taken about 150 hours to make a mandolin, explaining that for him, making instruments was merely a hobby that he worked at when the opportunity arose. Unfortunately, he has not been able to work on making instruments lately, he said.

In addition to making mandolins, he has also made banjos and fiddles, with banjos being his favorite because he has played the banjo all his life.

When asked his reaction after learning he would be among the artists included in the directory, Roupe said he felt like he had "accomplished something."

Performing at the local Alleghany Jubilee and at fiddler's conventions, Gary Joines said he does so for fun and does not consider himself a professional.