Echoes of Coal: Music, Resilience, and West Virginia's Soul

Resources

Resources & Recommendations

Podcasts

• Our Common Nature (by Anna Gonzalez and Yo-Yo Ma) - A podcast series exploring connections to nature through music and stories from various locations.
• Terrestrials - Sister show to Radiolab for families, which Anna Gonzalez also produces.
• Adrift (Apple Original podcast produced by Blanchard House, hosted by Becky Milligan) - A true story about a family's fight for survival after their boat sinks.

Music

• "16 Tons" - A song mentioned by Diane Williams that she used to sing as a child for coal miners.
• "Take Me Home, Country Roads" - A quintessential American song, widely recognized as representing West Virginia, despite its geographical inaccuracies.
• "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers - A song about mutual support, which Bill Withers reportedly told Kathy Mattea was written about coal miners.
• "Jesus On The Main Line" - A gospel song that was Zora's favorite.
• Bach Cello Suite No. 1, Prelude in E Major - Played by Yo-Yo Ma on the banks of the New River.
• "Great Big Eight" by Dom Flemons - An old line dancing song.
• "We Are Almost Down To The Shore" (Dom Flemons) - A beautiful studio recording mentioned for listeners to check out on Dom's album.
• Our Common Nature EP - Features Yo-Yo Ma playing with Eric Mingus, Jen Kreissberg, and an Icelandic choir, available on streaming platforms.

People Mentioned

• Yo-Yo Ma (Famous cellist, 19 Grammy Awards winner) - Co-host of the "Our Common Nature" podcast, known for bringing music to unexpected outdoor locations.
• Anna Gonzalez (Producer and host) - Co-host of "Our Common Nature" and producer for "Terrestrials."
• Kathy Mattea (West Virginian singer-songwriter) - Shared personal stories about her grandfathers working in coal mines and her connection to West Virginia music.
• Bill Withers (Musician) - Mentioned as a West Virginia native whose song "Lean On Me" was reportedly inspired by the coal mining community.
• Dorsel (Coal miner) - Shared his perspective on Bill Withers and "Lean On Me."
• Diane Williams - Sang "16 Tons" at the beginning of the episode and is the daughter of Zora.
• Zora (Coal miner) - Diane Williams' mother, who worked in the coal mines for 20 years.
• Chris Saunders (Coal miner) - Zora's son, currently working in the coal mines, shared his experiences and family history.
• Crystal Good (Writer, activist, and poet) - Performed her poem "Black Diamonds" and discussed her experiences as a Black woman in Appalachia and an environmental activist.
• Dom Flemons (Banjo player) - Played music at the West Virginia dinner and co-wrote a tune with Yo-Yo Ma.
• Matt Ike - Special thanks for letting the podcast team use his phone to record on a river raft.
• Eric Mingus - Collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma on the "Our Common Nature EP."
• Jen Kreissberg - Collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma on the "Our Common Nature EP."
• Becky Milligan (Host) - Host of the "Adrift" podcast.

Organizations & Institutions

• Earthjustice - Nation's leading environmental law organization, providing legal services for environmental protection.
• Princeton Theological Seminary - Offers the "Damascus Road" program for executives.
• Apple TV - Platform for the "Adrift" podcast.
• WNYC Studios - Producer of Radiolab.
• New River Gorge National Park (West Virginia) - Location where much of the episode's story takes place.
• West Virginia University - Mentioned as a place where "Take Me Home, Country Roads" is sung at football games.
• Massey Energy - Former owner of the Upper Big Branch mine, cited for safety violations.
• Beckley Coal Mine and Exhibition Museum - A local history museum focusing on coal mining, where Chris Saunders' mother Zora was featured in an exhibit.
• Step By Step - A middle school program whose kids participated in the white water rafting trip.
• Sound Postings - Co-producer of the "Our Common Nature" podcast.
• Emerson Collective - Provided support for "Our Common Nature."
• Tambourine Philanthropies - Provided support for "Our Common Nature."
• Simons Foundation - Provides leadership support for Radiolab science programming.
• John Templeton Foundation - Provides leadership support for Radiolab science programming.
• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation - Provided foundational support for Radiolab.

Websites & Online Resources

• ptsem.edu/damascusroad - Website to learn more about Princeton Theological Seminary's Damascus Road program.
• Text NATURE to 43428 - A call to action related to Earthjustice.

Other Resources

• Nuttallburg - A historical coal mine located in the New River Gorge National Park.
• Upper Big Branch Mine - Site of the 2010 mine explosion in West Virginia.
• Route 3 (West Virginia) - A road mentioned for its winding path through coal towns.