Nothing soothes the soul quite like mountain music, and in West Virginia, there is plenty of just that.
Whether you’re into traditional country music or looking for unique covers with tons of Appalachian energy, you are sure to find a catchy tune from these West Virginia musicians.
Philip Bowen
Ever since he was four years old, Montgomery native Philip Bowen has been playing his fiddle, or violin, with Appalachian culture as his lyrical inspiration. Bowen became a social media sensation when he started posting short videos of his fiddle covers of popular songs in 2019 – proving that his last effort to make a splash in the music industry was well worth his time practicing after all these years.
His music continues to touch listeners from all across the globe and has even propelled him to finish in the Top 5 category of his Semifinal week of America’s Got Talent in Season 18. Since then, Bowen released his debut album, “Old Kanawha,” in August 2023 and is releasing more West Virginia-inspired music to come.
Brad Paisley
Renowned country music star Brad Paisley doesn’t hesitate to pour his Mountain State heritage into his music. Paisley grew up in Glen Dale, which is just a 10-minute drive south of Wheeling in the Northern Panhandle. Growing up, he played at local events and formed a band with his guitar teacher and two of his parents’ friends. He attended West Liberty State College for two years and was then awarded a full scholarship to Belmont University in Nashville.
Since releasing his debut album, “Who Needs Pictures” in 1999, Paisley’s passion for West Virginia continues to play a major role in his lyrics. This includes the music video for his songs, “Son of the Mountains” that was shot at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and “Letter to Me” at his high school in 2015. Paisley won awards from the Academy of Country Music, American Country Awards, American Music Awards and the Grammys.
Kathy Mattea
Kathy Mattea, a South Charleston native, is a two-time Grammy winning country singer. She has charted more than thirty singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and won two Grammys. She was awarded one platinum and five gold certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America for her music. Mattea also won four Country Music Association Awards and four Academy of Country Music Awards.
When she’s not in the studio, Mattea is a social and environmental activist and shares about her family’s coal mining roots in Appalachia. She is also the host of West Virginia’s weekly public radio show, Mountain Stage.
Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith is primarily a contemporary Christian artist who grew up in the small Wayne County town of Kenova. Smith is a three-time Grammy Award winner, a recipient of 45 Dove Awards and an American Music Award winner. His work, “Place in This World” hit number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is his biggest mainstream music success.
From classic country music to upbeat bluegrass, West Virginia’s small towns has it all. Discover the charm yourself with the help of our brand new West Virginia Vacation Guide.
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