Pickin' Grinnin' and Storytelling Episode 1

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

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[@sealyoness]

I was glad to see you playing that guitar. In our family, only my cousins Mary and Steve - and me - are following the family gift of music. Can't make a person into a musician, it's either born in us or it isn't.

[@wjewell63]

My grandpa "Aubry Craddock" was a coal miner in WV before I existed but he got out of it as he was a talented mechanic which brought him here to Florida..this is important history,thanks for preserving it..👍

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

preciate the kind words my friend

[@williamroy5685]

JD, you are my favorite KZbin personality. I can feel the love you put in each video. Thanks for many hours of rich storytelling and music. Keep em coming.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much my friend. I really appreciate you.

[@TennValleyGal]

What a wonderful entertaining video, JD. Thanks for putting in so much time into it. Your guitar picking, singing and stories make it truly special. Blessings and keep 'em coming.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you TN Gal!

[@WillowsGarden]

Hi JD! Thanks for sharing these stories with us. I’m sure you’ve put many hours, miles and just your personal appreciation of the Appalachian history. Have a blessed day!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Willow!

[@theresaspaulding6617]

Thank u for being on luv listening

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Theresa

[@kevinwoodson8909]

Good picking I used to play music all my life

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Preciate you brother

[@homegrown1015]

Talk about a hard life and tough decisions...back then, there was no state or federal monies to rely on in hard times, it was do or die.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yes sir

[@wjewell63]

Love the music and that's a nice studio....✌️👍

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

preciate you my friend!

[@leannbrown7405]

Wow, I love what he's done with those 2 log cabins. So much history and life in them!!!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Me too!

[@mikechurch2359]

This are some great stories and if the story becomes a movie you should get a finders fee just saying keep up the good work and thanks

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks Mike! It would be cool if they included my work in some way

[@dormiacrouch1905]

Oh!!! John Denver 's song!!❤❤ Dearly love that song!! Brings tears to my eyes. You can sing it like him!! I dearly love the country and it's beauty! Thank you so much!! ❤️🙏

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

thank you!

[@Davidrcobb]

I was born in Kings Mountain, NC and my family have been there since the mid 1700's. I grew up there until the age of 10 and have lived in Georgia since. But its never felt like home. Im 46 now and still feel the call of the mountains, and wish I could've had my boys grow up there.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

It’s a special place to raise a family

[@thomasbeaman9780]

Loving the story of Appalachia. Most of my relative come from NC, from the tobacco farms in Eastern Carolina all the way to up around Boone , NC, up in the hills of the Appalachian and Great Smoky Mountains. I cherish the history from both my Scottish/Irish and the Welsh, British, and even some Norse, all the way to my Dad’s family’s of NC. Keep the histories of our shared roots in Appalachia.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks , so glad to have you here

[@ellieeckhardt7620]

We're from new Jersey and on a mini trip to west Virginia in our old pickup truck we went through the back roads and met a wonderful old old lady walking the road, we gave her a ride, her advice to my husband and I was " Don't be a hollar after dark" scared me to death. We asked her how far she was going? Her reply was "upa yonder some" it was 3 miles!! Lol

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

love it!

[@Siggyroka]

My little brother loves to show his cabins to interested people

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

❤️

[@MarleneMcgough-z3h]

Love that song!!!!!!! Keep doin your thing!!! Honest and wholesome!!!!!!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you!

[@kaynef6637]

Excellent video 👍

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much!

[@lauralewis9347]

I literally just found this channel. I’ve only watched a few minutes yet. You bet I’ll watch the rest of this. So far the stories and the music is absolutely beautiful! Thank you for this!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Laura! and welcome!

[@denisestrickland2976]

What a treat! Yer a mighty fine Picker, JD!! And what stories!👍 I wish I’d known about this show when you went live. Keep them coming JD! You’re my favorite Storyteller! I love history, I love the way you tell them, your music, and your sound effects! Sometimes I get to laughing, then as the stories roll on, I feel bad, cause most of the time they end tragic. But then again, isn’t that how Southerners deal with tragedy thru humor? 😂❤

[@patriciabogue6811]

What an inspirational man. I liked he said he was all religions. Thank you 😊

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Patricia!

[@lauriewilliams7697]

Thank you JD. I thoroughly loved this video. Makes me a mite homesick.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Laurie

[@amandalilly34]

I've lived in Greeneville, TN, since 76 and have never heard of the curse of Knoxville. I hung out there a lot in the 80s and 90s when both of my sisters went to UT. This is very interesting to know!

[@Mike-hz4jp]

I love to try and follow the stories on Google maps. I really enjoy the Appalachian storyteller.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

How cool is that, neat idea!

[@jannitanolen-bevers5672]

Loving the compilation! And really love your music, which set the mood perfectly as I have come to expect from Dr Phillips!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! The music makes this such a fun video to edit.

[@InGodwetrust-r8m]

My daddy was a coal miner in Virginia. I was born in Osaka Virginia. Coal camp. My daddy died of black lung. He had worked his way up to the foreman . I am very proud of him.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

May he rest in peace

[@tracybingham7739]

Sadly I don’t ever remember learning about the Cold Creek War in history class. I was raised in NJ and went to college in NY so I guess it wasn’t important to my teachers. I love learning about it now and all of Appalachia history you share. Thank you JD from this Appalachia wannabe.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Heck they don’t even teach it in Tennessee, last thing they want is a educated workforce that understands history of those who fought for workers rights

[@zacharycash6975]

What a nice guitar collection and solid playing! I recently found your channel and I can’t get enough! Thank you sir!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you my friend!

[@jodybraun3393]

Thank you so much for preserving and sharing Appalachia history through your research and storytelling.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you 🙏

[@rhonda.gross57]

I want more of these videos combining songs and videos. Love it!!!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks Rhonda, more on the way

[@denisebolton7191]

Hi JD. I've got to say that you take me back to the hills every time I watch one of your stories. The music reminds me of my Daddy. He played music and every Saturday night he and a group of his friends would gather and play all night. My Momma played the spoons. It was such a good childhood. I learned of the Carroll county, VA massacre when I went to spend the summer with an aunt in Hillsville back in the 70's. That's where I learned to cook on a wood cook stove. My aunt had no modern eminities minus the water pump in the kitchen. I was 11 or 12 at the time and I was in heaven. I learned of the Greenbriar ghost from a friend of mine who's family comes from WVA. Her mother told me story and yes I believe. My Daddy's family comes from the Smokey mountains. Some settled in the Blue Ridge in Virginia. In my early adulthood I moved to the Blue Ridge often taking the back roads everywhere. I hope to retire there. You were right when you say that your heart rate changes. It's a very spiritual thing, you feel alive when driving thru the backwoods of the mountains. These old buildings speak to some to tell their stories. You're very talented and I really enjoy listening to your stories. Thank you .

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Hi Denise, I really enjoyed reading your story. Thanks for sharing them with us. I would have loved to listened to one of those Saturday nights, and the spoons too? I love it!

[@lindame3326]

I just finished watching this awesome program! I really enjoyed the program. Beautiful country and great stories from wonderful people. I haven't been out of Texas very much so I'm really enjoying learning about the history of the Appalachians. Keep up the great work! Thank you Linda/Texas 😌

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Linda!

[@Maggie-rr8gi]

I just happened upon your channel. Your documentaries are priceless.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you, glad to have you here!

[@ptcscagu2878]

Great stories of our beautiful Appalachian people and places J.D. Thanks so much from a city slicker from Maryland relocated to Sullivan county Tn. My Family migrated from England and Ireland to settle in Smyth Co Virginia in the mid to late 1700's in and near Saltville Va. Would love to see a story from you about Saltville.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks for the suggestion

[@dianamarcelo3]

I just love all your videos. I shared it on Facebook. You are the best . hello from Florida

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks for sharing!! greetings from East Tennessee

[@Nursie]

Thank you for sharing these stories! I have ancestors who were Appalachian. So interesting! What a tough life they lived! I have so much respect for these beautiful ppl that lived back then! Please keep sharing your stories! Love your music! You have an amazing talent!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much my friend!

[@PrisonLaParis]

Huge fan of your music,stories, and content. Keep rockin bro!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you 😊

[@luannyates5199]

My dad was a coal miner for many years. I remember him coming home so black the only part of him white was his eyes and teeth

[@luannyates5199]

Tennessee here

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

@@luannyates5199 those men were the backbone of America

[@kevinwoodson8909]

I. Always thought that clear-cut logging almost killed alot land back in the beautiful mountains I wasn't born or even thought of then .but read alot about it I know them folks had to eat I still think it was sad times

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

yes indeed, the mountains won't ever be the same

[@deerslayer9point]

This West Virginia Granny thanks you for these videos

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks Deerslayer

[@janetconnors3113]

Great story telling, I'm addicted

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you ma’am

[@vanillagorrilla]

We too have similar mining stories over here in the uk 🇬🇧 we had to strike for wages increase and insurance

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Fight the power!

[@tomchaperon1081]

The coal creek war is nothing ive heard before.But should be madatory reading in school.Thanks J D for this story👍😉

[@jasonkeaton5140]

Hell yeah! You pick a bit too ! So fun

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yes sir !

[@lonniemullins24]

I like old history keep up the good work

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

thank you!

[@soniaclayton3563]

That's so sad ,beautifully told love your stories

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Sonia ❤️

[@melvinjackson2212]

Could you do a story about the carbide light the miners had to use, and are they as dangerous as I have heard? Thank you.

[@ellieeckhardt7620]

Enjoyed every minute!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you Ellie!

[@deerslayer9point]

Love the in color song

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

me too, one of my favs

[@LorrayneHam]

I live in Carroll county and yes this is part of its history kind of a gruesome identity of Hillsville, my little town.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

It’s a nice place to live

[@MrDerJohann]

So Nice... Greetings from germany

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you my friend! greetings from East TN 🇺🇸

[@wvclaylady]

Hi from Almost Heaven! I just discovered your channel and am enjoying it very much!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you so much!

[@jae6335]

Hi JD!Appreciate you so much!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Good to see you!

[@vanillagorrilla]

Binge watching from the beginning 👌

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yeah! ❤️

[@rhonda.gross57]

Loving this!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

❤️

[@melvinjackson2212]

This is about the Mannington mine. I just didn't listen long enough.

[@tomchaperon1081]

Wow JD that's awesome you play your own music for the videos you can really play👍😃💯

[@CherylSimser]

The pickin' and grinnin' was a nice touch. My fave story is still Appalachia's Deadliest Family and I think it would make a wonderful movie as long as they don't go crazy with creative license because it certainly doesn't need it or any embellishments for that matter. I think such a movie should definitely include your song 'From The Inside' as it would add the right feel and is very well-done. This is my second time asking this but I am patient and I do understand you are a very busy man. What happened to the young man who was the boyfriend of the girl that was kissed? This curious mind wants to know. 🤗🤗🤗

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

The boyfriend of the girl that was kissed was the SON of the Prosecuting Attorney. That made this case personal for him... there are many historians that say if the Allens were tried in court today for the shoot out that occurred, they wouldn't have been found guilty. No one knows who fired the first shot, and many contend that it was the Prosecuting Attorney that fired the first shot since it was personal to him what happened to his son.

[@CherylSimser]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Thanks, JD. That information makes it all the more interesting to me.

[@MaryjByers]

Thank you for sharing

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

You bet!

[@annanorth7997]

Love your channel! Is your music available to purchase?

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Hi Anna! Id be happy to send you a digital download of 10 songs I have written. A donation of 10 dollars would be awesome. Here are ways I accept online payments. Paypal @drjdphillips Venmo @theappalachianstoryteller Cash App $appalachianstory Zelle 8652445780 Please include your email address in the memo section so I can email the music to you. Thanks, JD

[@tinafauver]

My papa bear was a coal miner in Harlan county he walked it and stayed there on weekends and come and we come home to see his kids I miss my mama Mae Smith Smith, Kentucky, papa Bair Smith got you grandma got you bedridden and moved to Rosehill county Virginia, where they passed away and was buried in Britton cemetery

[@norrisjames747]

My father was a Alabama coal miner. He has black lung amongst the rest that came with the jod. At 87 , well.... he is still kicking.

[@melvinjackson2212]

Oh yeah; could you also do a story about the Mannington mine disaster? All I know is it happened in West Virginia. Thank you Please let me know when you post it.

[@dormiacrouch1905]

Always loved John Denver

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

me too!

[@sealyoness]

1818 was when Illinois became a state. Interesting how some of those existing cabins date back to then! I come across them occasionally in my wandering through IL and WI; they're mostly moss and rot up here now. When I was a kid, a lot of the rural folks would go dismantle old abandoned houses and cabins so they could reuse the wood. My uncle and aunt's house, just off Pea Ridge, was partly built from the old Bell place and partly from a really old house on Great-grandad's property over the Ridge. (I was warned to keep a lookout when wandering around that bit of property on ponyback, since it was lying fallow,; my Gramma said there were probably wild beef cattle and maybe buffalo up there). My pony and I never saw anything except deer and other riffraff animals. Ah, memories.

[@vanillagorrilla]

Awesome guitar playing so you do your own music on your videos? That makes this channel all the more special ❤️❤️💯

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I perform most of the music myself ❤️

[@jerrylockhart76]

Love watching your video s

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thank you!☺️

[@randallbreason8322]

A storyteller at the finest.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

thank you!

[@younkinjames8571]

Nice Taylor. Are you lefty or is this camera trickery?

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yup that’s a left handed Taylor 814 that the country music association gave me when I won a CMA in 2018

[@younkinjames8571]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller Damn man...rub it in. Just kidding, congratulations. An 814 is a nice guitar...and you play it well

[@joeb4274]

Whew...I was going to tell you that you're playing it backwards! Lol. Is that an ES-335 on the wall?

[@vanillagorrilla]

I’d like to hear more about the last American war that sounds wild

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

The coal creek war was the essence of the rebellious American spirit

[@Edd-gc6yp]

Good one!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks!

[@endtimesninja1235]

Are you at ciderville music barn on clinton hwy? Sure looks like it. I grew up 2 miles from there

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Nope, but I live close to there

[@endtimesninja1235]

@@TheAppalachianStoryteller wow that's uncanny. Great pickin by the way

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

@@endtimesninja1235 thank ya!

[@Mr.Guild1971]

A 10% raise for the miners.If I understand it right that would've been only like $4 Damn Robber Barons

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

exactly

[@Redstagwsmnp]

A lefty player ?

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

yup

[@KOOLBadger]

I thought I read' Happiest Family...😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Shake the cat?? Wtf.. That song is actually called "10,000 miles away from home." I sung it as a child in a YMCA camp..😊 please feel free to up it up..😊

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

❤️

[@MichaelGloth-f7j]

You play great

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

thank you!

[@kellilambert7570]

Nice guitars. Where are the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimers?

[@johnallen9877]

Just as a comment I don’t know what song or riff that was at the intro but it was awesome!!

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Thanks so much for that! Its a song I wrote called "from the inside"

[@johnallen9877]

@ do you have an album you recorded? I’m going to order your books and I’d like to get an album from you too?

[@pennypress8131]

My grandfather and his brother was arrested during the mine war in Matewan.

[@cindybain6054]

Have you heard of kawlija Alabama ? There's a country song called kawlija . There's also a jailhouse in Alexander Alabama that Hank Williams was arrested for drinking and driving.

[@karawaters829]

I looked and looked and never saw the flowers the little girl painted

[@sealyoness]

I remember someone saying that the company mules were given better care; they were considered crucial; treat them poorly, and they just layed down and died. But the company could always find men to work themselves to death.

[@Mr.Guild1971]

I'm new here and I'm curious.I'm sure your done a lengthy video on the the Minors massacre on the mountain trails and the origin of the term Redneck. Would you please direct me that story video

[@DavidCarterTroubador]

JD do you play guitar Lefty? I see you are playing Lefty but the background guitars on wall are right handed. I’m a retired Lefty professional player. Cross the 10,000 gig mark Dec. 2017. I’m up to 84 Left guitars these days.

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

10,000 gigs! Wow! Incredible! Yes im a lefty, and ok, you caught me! My studio was under construction and was a mess when I filmed this video. The wall full of right handed guitars is a green screen.

[@jnorrick60]

And those told minor prisoners came from the great rushing Mountain Penitentiary

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

Yes sir

[@thevermonster7934]

Yup...you are correct, no one should trust the Tennessee government......key word being Tennessee, some of our states are not, and have not been so corrupt.

[@pam190]

$100.00 sounds like a good savings they can use while on strike I guess. I wonder how many weeks that would get him and his family by?

[@pam190]

Woah that was good singing and playing your guitar. 🎸

[@ROCK-vl5yw]

Joplin and Elvis didn't die in Knoxville many others played.there no problem my ex lives there that's why I wouldn't play there and we'll why risk it

[@JimKendrick-s5k]

Government hasn't changed much

[@sandrasmith7091]

Kenny Chesney from Knoxville don't jinx it

[@TheAppalachianStoryteller]

I know right!

[@travhammer]

U ain't got no. Huntress?