UK Libraries Celebrates Reel World String Band Collection, Kentucky Foundation for Women

Reel World String Band performs "Who Owns Appalachia."

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 21, 2016) — A line-up of special guests, including popular Kentucky writers George Ella Lyon and Silas House, will come together in celebration of a new collection at University of Kentucky Libraries chronicling the work of legendary traditional and old-time musicians, the Reel World String Band.

Festivities surrounding the donation of the Reel World String Band Archives will christen the archival work, as well as celebrate the Kentucky Foundation for Women’s 30th anniversary. The band, Kentucky Poet Laureate George Ella Lyon, novelist Silas House and other guests will be on hand to sing some of the group's songs and provide tributes to highlight the band's history. An exhibition of pieces from the collection including band posters and photographs will also be on display. The program will begin 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, in the Great Hall of the Margaret I. King Library. A reception of dessert and coffee will immediately follow. All events are free and open to the public.

The Reel World String Band's performance career spans 39 years and its history represents a body of cultural and feminist activism that has influenced and supported dozens of social movements in Kentucky and the Appalachian region. Since 1977, the band has toured all through the United States, Canada and Italy, played on picket lines, women’s festivals, square dances, and thousands of other venues including many memorable events at UK's own Singletary Center for the Arts.

Influenced by traditional and old-time music with a touch of country, swing, blues and jazz, Reel World String Band's soulful songwriting and instrumental virtuosity make for American roots music with a rare fire and authenticity. The band includes Sue Massek on banjo, Bev Futrell on guitar and harmonica, Karen Jones on fiddle, Elise Melrood on piano, and Sharon Ruble on bass.

The Reel World String Band Collection at UK Special Collections Research Center will chronicle the band's entire career and includes photographs, posters, set lists and correspondence. 

The new collection is home to a wealth of information on music and more. "The Reel World String Band is part of the history of Kentucky's music culture, women's rights, and social justice movements. Their collection represents this and will be valuable to students and researchers for generations to come," said Deirdre Scaggs, associate dean for Special Collections.

The Reel World String Band Collection dedication program is sponsored by the Kentucky Foundation for Women and UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center.

Throughout its 30-year history, the Kentucky Foundation for Women has promoted feminist art and social justice by awarding grants to individual artists and organizations, providing time and space for artists and activists at its retreat center, and by sharing information and building alliances among female artists in the community.

UK Special Collections Research Center is home to UK Libraries' collection of rare books, Kentuckiana, the Archives, the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, the King Library Press, the Wendell H. Ford Public Policy Research Center and the Bert T. Combs Appalachian collection. The mission of the Special Collections Research Center is to locate and preserve materials documenting the social, cultural, economic and political history of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

For more information on the Reel World String Band Collection or the events surrounding its dedication, contact Deirdre A. Scaggs, associate dean of UK Libraries Special Collections, at deirdre@uky.edu or 859-257-3653.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu