FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 1/18/09
Morgan Arts Council
Berkeley Springs, WV
Press contact only: Jeanne Mozier -- 304-258-4248

UNIQUE MUSIC CENSUS TO BE TAKEN IN MORGAN COUNTY

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ---- As part of Back To Our Roots, its yearlong
celebration of American roots arts, the Morgan Arts Council (MAC) of
Berkeley Springs is conducting a local Music Census. An original
census form has been developed and is available to anyone who lives in
Morgan County and sings or plays music. Family members may also fill
out the checklist of nine questions and provide the information about
any past musicians.

"There are questions about everything from what type of instrument you
play to where you learned music," says Jeanne Mozier who created the
notion of the Census. "We're hoping to end up with a data base of at
least 1000 people," she says, "everyone from kids in garage bands to
grandmothers who sing in the church choir. All types of music are
included."

As information is collected, it becomes the basis for more in-depth
interviews with some musicians and singers as well as opportunities to
be recorded or to perform. Fiddler and old time musician, Joe
Herrmann, is directing the interview part of the project with the help
of Roots committee member and newspaper editor, John Douglas.

"I sought help for this project from Gerry Milnes, West Virginia's most
noted musical archivist," said Mozier. "He said he'd never heard of a
project like a countywide music census being done before."

The Music Census is part of the documentation segment of Back To Our
Roots. All the collected Census data is to be organized and posted
on www.macicehouse.org. "It's exciting to think that Morgan County may
be the first place to have its musical profile visible to the world,"
says Mozier.

Music Census forms are available at the Ice House office, the Morgan
County Library, the Star Theatre, the Morgan Messenger and at all MAC
events as well as online.

Mozier has already received the first completed census form. "Joe
Lillard is a classic example of a porch musician," she says. "He plays
old time fiddle. His business is also sponsoring the Music Census."

The Music Census and Roots documentation project are sponsored by
Homeopathy Works and funded in part by grants from the West Virginia
Commission on the Arts and National Endowment for the Arts. For a full
schedule of all Back To Our Roots activities from January to June,
check online at www.macicehouse.org or call 304-258-2300.