Singers and musicians from Southwest Virginia made some of the first country, blues, and gospel records in America, and their artistry helped shape the Golden Age of 78 r.p.m. records. While most of these musicians never achieved any great degree of fame (with notable exceptions, such as The Carter Family), by the early 1940s they had cut over 1,200 love songs, sentimental songs, ballads, hymns, blues numbers, novelty songs, and string band tunes. Few other parts of the country rivaled such a volume of commercially recorded folk-based music in the pre-World War II era. The exhibition showcases the careers of these recording pioneers, through photographs, posters, sheet music, musical instruments and other memorabilia. Early phonographs and radios are also featured. Organized by the Blue Ridge Institute & Museum of Ferrum College. On view through January 11, 2004 at William King Regional Arts Center.