With heavy hearts we share the news of the passing of Frank Paschall Jr., a dear friend of the Virginia Folklife Program and the eldest brother of the beloved Tidewater gospel quartet, the Paschall Brothers. Frank was the namesake of his father, the late Reverend Frank Paschall Sr., a great gospel singer and contemporary of [...]

We announce with great pleasure that The Reverend Frank Newsome, a dear friend of the Virginia Folklife Program, is the recipient of a National Heritage Fellowship, the highest honor that the United States government bestows on a traditional artist.  Past recipients include the likes of Doc Watson, Ralph Stanley, and B.B. King. Elder Newsome, of [...]

VFP concerts, talks, and workshops for summer and fall 2011 will cover a wide array of Virginia musical traditions and regional styles, including Blue Ridge bluegrass and old time, gospel, Piedmont and Coalfields blues and more. FloydFest July 28-31, Floyd, VA Drop in at the Virginia Workshop Porch to hear artists including the Carolina Chocolate [...]