Improvements made to A.P. Carter Store Museum
02.18.2006
HILTONS, VA — There is now a much needed new roof on the original A.P. Carter Store located in Hiltons provided by donations collected at the weekly Pickin' Porch shows at the Bristol Mall.Rita Forester, daughter of the late Janette Carter, who founded The Carter Family Fold, expressed her appreciation to the Pickin' Porch representatives at a recent press conference. "The Fold has always been supported by folks who love and appreciate our bluegrass and old-time music, and we truly thank the Pickin' Porch audience members who give each week to support the cause of keeping our music alive," stated Forrester. "My grandaddy, A.P., built the store in 1949. It is now a museum, and renovations will be starting soon on the displays inside, so the new roof was truly needed before that work begins. The Pickin' Porch reflects The Carter Fold by giving performers a place to showcase their talents and entertaining an audience. This shows how our music really draws us together as a family."
"The folks who attend the Pickin' Porch shows every Thursday evening are very giving," commented Tim White, who produces and hosts the Pickin' Porch each week. "We ask folks to give $4.00 each if they can and, if they cannot afford to do so, then that's ok, they can come on in and enjoy the show anyway. We always give the proceeds from the Thursday night shows to The Carter Fold."
The Bristol Mall generously supplies the Comfort Systems U.S.A. Performance Center to the Pickin' Porch at a very nominal fee each month. Area musicians donate their time and talent to perform each week and shows are taped and broadcast on regional TV and radio stations. The Pickin' Porch shows are regularly attended by 250 to 400 people.
A check was presented to Unlimited Window and Siding Company of Hiltons, VA in the amount of $3,435.00 for the new roof.
The new roof cost more than $3,400. Plans are for additional Pickin' Porch donations to provide funding for guttering for the A.P. Carter Store.
"This is such a good thing" added Raymond McLain, board member of the Carter Fold and director of the East Tennessee State University Bluegrass Music Program in Johnson City, TN. "This shows what folks can do when we work together for our beloved music — everyone wins."
Plans also are underway for the Pickin' Porch to become its own non-profit organization and continue to have Thursday night performances at the Bristol Mall and to keep the Museum and Gift Shop open there as well all Bristol Mall hours. Everyone is invited to attend and for more information call 276-645-0035 or visit www.pickinporch.org.
The Carter Family Memorial Music Center, a non-profit organization, serves fans and supporters of old-time country and folk music through the presentation of weekly performances at the Carter Family Fold, in Hiltons, Virginia. It also honors the memory of the first family of country music, the legendary Carter Family (A.P. Carter, Sara Carter, and Maybelle Carter), whose first recordings (in 1927) are credited with giving birth to the commercial country music industry. The Carter Family Memorial Music Center was founded by Janette Carter, daughter of A.P. and Sara, who with Sara's cousin Maybelle, comprised the original Carter Family.
