OHIO Libraries host Authors @ Alden: A Conversation about Coal Mining with Jack Wright

Ohio University Libraries will host author Jack Wright for Authors @Alden from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 in the 1951 Lounge on the fourth floor of Alden Library. Wright will discuss his book and album anthology about the history and culture of Appalachian coal mining during the event. The event is free and open to the public.

“It tells an intimate story of the life and way of life of coal mining, as well as the good, bad [and] ugly of coal mining,” Wright said. “I tried to make it entertaining for folks to listen to, but also educational in terms of teaching people about the actuality of mining in the southern Appalachian Mountains.”

Wright wants to educate the community about the history of coal mining as expressed in the music of the region and the current challenges faced in coal mining towns. He will be interviewed during the event by his longtime friend Michael Kline, Ph.D., an Appalachian regional oral historian.

“We’re going to talk about the publication of [his] book and his general interest in this kind of music,” Kline said. “I’ve always been interested in coal mining because of the people who do it.”

The book contains notes and lyrics about coal mining and mining music. The album anthology contains two CDs showcasing coal mining music from 1906 to 2006. They feature various artists that Wright produced music with or that he pulled from music archives. The anthology covers a wide range of coal mining history through different genres including jazz, blues, bluegrass and folk.

To request accessibility accommodations for this event, please contact Jen Harvey.

For more information visit: https://www.ohio.edu/library/about/news-events/authors-alden-conversation-about-coal-mining-jack-wright.