
An Interview with Joe Penland - Storyteller 2
Madison County is, without a doubt, fertile ground for traditional music. This was evident in 1916 when Cecil Sharp discovered the Wallin and Chandler families in the Laurel country who were singing in the tradition of their Scots-Irish ancestors who settled in the county a century before. This heritage is unmistakable today when the eighth generation of this family continues this musical tradition. It is an amazing place to grow up—especially if you are a musician. Joe Penland, musician, writer and storyteller, reflected on what this has meant to him and his memories of many of these musicians who are so important to those who live here.