Galax, Virginia: Home of the Fiddlers' Convention and Gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains

Galax, Virginia: Home of the Fiddlers' Convention and Gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains
Thanks to our patrons!!!
Will Simmons
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Thanks to these wonderful donors!!!
Randy and Dena Key
John Nielson
R. Parks Lanier, Jr.
Larry Allen
Ryan Farmer
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[@melissalight4567]

Mr. & Mrs. Key are my parents!! You absolutely made Daddy’s day when you stopped by! Seeing him in the shop, I realized: he’s become that sweet older gentleman that runs the general store full of all kinds of facts 😊❤️ Awesome video!

[@realappalachia]

It was so wonderful to meet them! It made our day, too! He gave us so much helpful info and I just loved his store. My audio cut out a bit in the store so it didn’t pick up all my raving haha we hate we missed coming by your store, time ran out on us, but we plan to next time! - Melody

[@mommy2jongab]

We love Mr. And Mrs Key! Fabulous folks. Sweet, kind, and loving. I love when he comes into my work and we get to chat. He will sometimes tell me jokes and makes my day. Their store is always a go to for birthday and Christmas shopping !

[@fiddlix]

I use to go to the Galax Fiddlers Convention all the time. As a matter of fact it was very influential in my career choice of pursuing music which served me well. I have many fond memories. Thank you.

[@howardtabor7211]

Great job we go there all the time

[@ShaneSimmons]

Small world. Different Shane Simmons here, family originally settled in Virginia and ended up at the south end of Illinois, but my father in law, last name Day, grew up on Barger Street in Galax. My wife tells me stories of going to Galax for the Fiddlers Convention every year. Shane and Melody did a video going between Galax and Independence right after my family had gone to a family wedding over by Independence. If any of you know of an Uncle Wong from the convention, or if any of you know Dennis Day, that's some of my family!

[@denisestrickland2976]

Lol! Shane seems to always have Eaton’ on his mind. Thanks for sharing. I’m a fiddler, I’m gettin’ old. I must go and check out The Fiddler’s Convention, maybe I’ll play there someday!

[@benandcis]

Loved that store

[@timpottenburgh5407]

The fiddlers hall of fame is about 15 min from my house ..in upstate New York..I've been there a hundred times..

[@jamese3169]

Haven't been to Galax in a long time. I used to work over there many many moon ago. They've really grown over the years.

[@wendi2819]

I think this is the most beautiful region in the USA. Skyline Dr. Shenandoah Valley.... it's all so beautiful!❤️❤️❤️

[@moonshinerphd9523]

Enjoyed the ride y'all. I live in Martinsville, a little east of Galax. All of our stores in town are almost empty, maybe that's the reason why Martinsville is reverting to town status next year, or so I've heard. Galax seems to have much more to offer than here. If y'all ever get a chance to come to the foot of the Appalachians swing by Martinsville, or at least ride through Stuart, it's a nice little town in itself.

[@teresahill1982]

I went through Stuart last week when I was up visiting my folks but I am back in Florida now. We were looking for an old family cemetery in Patrick Springs Va called the Carter Fulcher Cemetery.

[@moonshinerphd9523]

@@teresahill1982 Glad you made it to our neck of the woods. Did you ever find the cemetery by the way?

[@SMichaelDeHart]

My momma's hometown...GalaxHillsville. Been there many time's over my lifetime.

[@alongtheblueridge8902]

So happy y'all featured my hometown!! The CD cover shot on the video of the 1967 and 2010 fiddlers convention, the 2010 part of the cd was actually recorded at our campsite by our late great friend Charlie Faurot during the 2010 Old Fiddlers Convention and it also featured my band, Southern Pride from Galax and my wife's band, The Blue Ridge Mtn Ramblers. Also a interesting note, Roni Stoneman, banjo picker and the ironing board lady on Hee Haw was born in Galax. Lot's of history around here. Hope y'all made it over to Fries, VA along the New River. Thanks for all you do in highlighting our Appalachian Region!!

[@realappalachia]

thank you so much for the information and the kind words. We were just talking about going to Fries just yesterday, oddly enough. It is definitely on the hit list.

[@alongtheblueridge8902]

@@realappalachia Forgot to mention my wife's hometown, Lansing, NC! Really neat small mountain town.

[@ogamhunter]

Do-Dah, Do-Dah now you got me singing that song, I'll be singing it all day! Great video Shane and Melody. Hey Shane are you in the mood for a Melody, listen to this. Camptown ladies won't you come out tonight, come out to night. Thanks for taking me along! God Bless you both, (Glen).

[@nancymcgee4776]

🙋‍♀️ Shane and Melody! Neat little town...looked so clean! I would have loved to gone thru that old factory. I had to laugh, you turned that corner and the same time you said " I like that color of blue (on the house) I was thinkin, "why would anyone paint their house purple!" 🤭 Thanks for the tour! 🤗 '

[@gordongreen3671]

good video, I have lots of memories made in Galax and have family living there

[@wizzardofpaws2420]

Oh how I love stores like that one

[@realappalachia]

Great store and great people that own it

[@larrym.johnson9219]

Shane did you look into Jake Krack? he plays there at the festival. God bless.

[@billkitchin4123]

Cast iron is the best to cook on😎

[@denisestrickland2976]

I have three sizes, small, large (for buttermilk cornbread), the ex-large for fryin, bakin’ and everything else.

[@crystalthechurchmousestitc1888]

Hi Shane and Melody. Thank you for the tour of Galax. It is a very clean and nice looking little city. It is a shame that all of the manufacturers have closed. I just will never understand it. Melody, I love the fall sign you picked up in the prim shop. Fall is my favorite season and favorite time to decorate. Your outfit is really pretty too. The banana pudding looked wonderful. My MIL used to make it and I have not had it in years. The fiddler festival also looks like a lot of fun. Keep the great videos coming. Take care and safe travels.

[@realappalachia]

Thank you so much! Fall is my favorite too and they had so many cute things to choose from!! Thanks for watching and the sweet comments! - Melody

[@benlaw4647]

Love that area ! I use to visit that area , travel through sparta north Carolina, up through independence, over to galax and to hillsville....thanks ....God bless...

[@benandcis]

We have a theater over 100 yrs old they have plays there now

[@merlijnwiersma7801]

Visited Galax about 10 years ago, liked it a lot, and it is good to see that it seems more lively now, just as Melody said. We had a rental car with Washington (state) plates and in the parking lot of the hotel a guy with California plates pulled up next to us and said calmly:' seems like you took a wrong turn somewhere, too...'!

[@judypierce7028]

WOW! Well, you have visited one of my favorite places. I was employed in the school district in Galax for a year and then moved to Virginia. Galax is a really neat place. The old factory you saw was a furniture making factory at one time. Thank you. Great video as usual. Stay safe.

[@bigtarheelfan]

I Love that area. Have cycled the New River Trail several times with the exception of the Northern End.

[@dianaoneil5469]

What a cute town. LOVE the store, I could spend hours looking around in there. Enjoy finding unique items that you can only find in specific states.

[@realappalachia]

It's such a great store and the owners, Randy and Dena Key, make it even better. Wonderful people.

[@roxy9539]

October 16th Is W.V.'s Bridge day festival! I've never been but would love to see from your channel. Best wishes from the mountains.❤️

[@pvjohnson52]

Thanks for the tour. Was fun

[@rubensalcido5606]

Nice video.Hopefully down the road you all can visit point pleasant Virginia.!

[@thomasdausch8557]

When i searched for Galax,va videos before i found your channel, none were as good and well done as yours is, thankyou for sharing the ride along with all of us and God bless

[@realappalachia]

that is really great to hear, we appreciate the wonderful feedback. God bless you too.

[@nildalindsley2727]

Thank you soo much

[@RebeccaLRodgers2024]

Hi from an Oak Hill Academy Alumni. Can you redo the drive from Galax through independence Virginia and all the way up to the Oak Hill Academy campus in Mouth Of Wilson,Virginia! I will be there in 2 Weeks for Alumni Weekend

[@worldsheartland8134]

Hi Shane and Melody. Lots of love from India...!!

[@realappalachia]

Thanks so much 😊

[@brendabray5333]

Hey you two, my dad grew up in coal mining towns and I was wondering if you could go to one of his home towns. The name of the town he recalls the most is Besoco, WV. I have never been there. Please and thank you.

[@maryjoanhill7847]

I was thinking about purchasing a home here

[@realappalachia]

A nice little town

[@alvankarpas6245]

Fun as usual kids! Looky here, I believe you two could make a video of you two just driving and talking. BTW, I think Melody was aptly named! But Shane, imma thinking you might want to stay focused on your day job. ;-) I hear the Nick Johnson chorus is all filled up. At least that's what he told me when I tried out. Oh look, there's a wooden statue!

[@doug1049]

Enjoyed the video and seeing small town Virginia at its finest. Do you use the same camera from your dash as when our and about? Keep the good videos coming.

[@danalynch8889]

I don't like Old Town Road either except when Courtney Hadwin sings it. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and my bother is making roast duck, bake sweet potato, stuffing, polk, and mashed potatoes. Followed by eggnog and huge bowl of banana (COOKIE) pudding. There will be plenty of seconds and thirds as there we will be the only two of us.

[@realappalachia]

Mm sounds good! Happy Thanksgiving, Dana! - Melody

[@leontineholmstrom118]

You should go to sliding rock in Brevard SC

[@leontineholmstrom118]

I mean NC correction

[@robertbillings7006]

How did you all miss Cranks!

[@teresalink4093]

Been trying to binge watch your videos. I haven’t come across it but have you been to Marion? The Lincoln theater where they have Song of the mountains.

[@realappalachia]

Haven’t yet! We love Marion so we plan on doing it in-depth! Stay tuned!! - Melody

[@jeanneshannon5607]

Too cute

[@walterlangston7866]

dose the store owner watch your videos

[@realappalachia]

He does! It was great getting to meet him - Melody

[@benandcis]

Where does blue ridge parkway run through

[@mikea5424]

How is War WVA a city ?

[@BruceWilliams-i5u]

Place is dead no work. Great views. On landscaping. A retirement place .

[@johnnielson7676]

I just put down my fiddle and saw y’all just posted another great episode! I’ve driven through Galax, but really hope to attend the convention someday. There is an excellent documentary on the festival called Fiddlin’ produced by two sisters from Galax. It features Jake Krack’s excellent fiddling and a very young super-talented guitarist whose name escapes me right now. The documentary is on a free video streaming service called Kanopy that out here in Colorado you can sign up for through the public library. Maybe other libraries around the country have it, too? Here’s the trailer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKCyomSBpc1ra7M

[@johnnielson7676]

Presley Barker is the young flatpicker’s name. Amazing!

[@fiddlix]

I use to go to the Galax Fiddlers Convention all the time. As a matter of fact it was very influential in my career choice of pursuing music which served me well. I have many fond memories. Thank you.