Bristol, Virginia-Tennis. – Pre-register online for the Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s free virtual speaker series on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. with guest speaker Jennifer Licko as she shares her observations on variations and versions of folk songs Scottish Appalachians.
Scottish settlers settled in the Appalachian region of several states, including North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and West Virginia. In these isolated areas, old songs of love, loss, murder, ghosts and ancient times have been passed down through oral tradition, expressing timeless themes and connections to the past. Over time, the melodies and words changed, creating variations that are still sung today.
Awarded ‘Celtic Album of the Year’ by Celtic Music Radio and nominated for ‘Trad Album of the Year’ by TradConnect, Jennifer Licko has a close relationship with music that traveled with Scottish settlers.
Spending her youth as a competitive Scottish Highland dancer encouraged her interest and love for Scottish traditions, according to a statement. An exceptional singer and multi-instrumentalist, Jennifer began her research after living in Scotland and finding similarities to the country and North Carolina.
“I believe music should connect with audiences through shared emotions and experiences for all of us to feel what can only be experienced through music,” Licko said in the statement.
Licko works as an interpreter, educator and advocate for cultural inclusion in education. She founded and manages the non-profit organization Highland Echoes, carrying out large-scale projects to support the mission of raising awareness and preserving Scottish culture. She also runs The Cultural Classroom, which provides resources and support for teachers, and hosts her own podcast called Respecting Diversity in the Class.
Virtual Speaker Series: Jennifer Licko on Appalachia and Scottish Folksongs is a free event via Zoom. Pre-register online via the Events page on BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org to participate in the discussion.
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