Clawhammer Music

 

Dwight Diller is a renowned old-time banjo player and teacher from Pocahontas County, West Virginia. He was born in 1946 and grew up in the community of Rand. Diller's interest in music began at a young age, and he was inspired by the traditional Appalachian music that he heard around him. He began playing the banjo at the age of 13, and he quickly became one of the most skilled banjo players in his region.

Diller's banjo playing is characterized by its driving rhythm, intricate clawhammer technique, and soulful melodies. He is known for his mastery of a wide range of old-time tunes, including fiddle tunes, banjo tunes, and ballads. He is also a gifted songwriter, and he has composed a number of original tunes that have become popular among old-time musicians.

Diller has played a major role in preserving and promoting the traditional music of Pocahontas County and West Virginia. He has taught banjo to hundreds of students over the years, and he has performed at countless festivals and concerts around the world. He is also the founder of YewPine Cultural Traditions, a nonprofit organization that works to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Appalachian region.

Diller's music has been recorded on numerous albums, and he has been featured in a number of documentaries and articles. He is a recipient of the West Virginia Folklife Award and the West Virginia Governor's Arts Award. He is also a member of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.

Diller's music is an important part of the cultural heritage of Pocahontas County and West Virginia. His banjo playing is a living tradition that is passed on from generation to generation. Diller is a beloved figure in the old-time music community, and his music continues to inspire and entertain people all over the world.

Dwight Diller's banjo music has had a profound influence on the traditional music scene in Pocahontas County, West Virginia. He is credited with helping to revive interest in old-time music in the region, and his teaching and performing have inspired a new generation of musicians.

Diller's music is also notable for its strong sense of place. Many of the tunes that he plays are from Pocahontas County, and he often tells stories about the people and places behind the music. This helps to connect his music to the local community and to preserve the region's cultural heritage.

Diller's impact on the music of Pocahontas County can be seen in the many musicians who have been influenced by him. Some of the most notable include:

• Mike Burns: Burns is a clawhammer banjo player and singer who is known for his performances with his wife, Mary Sue. He is a former student of Diller's, and his music is heavily influenced by Diller's style.
• Brad Leftwich: Leftwich is a fiddler and banjo player who is known for his work with the bands Highwoods Stringband and Front Country. He is another former student of Diller's, and his music is also heavily influenced by Diller's style.
• Ashley Davis: Davis is a clawhammer banjo player and singer who is known for her work with the band The Old Crow Medicine Show. She is a self-taught musician, but she has said that Diller's music has been a major influence on her playing.

These are just a few examples of the many musicians who have been influenced by Dwight Diller. His music continues to inspire and entertain people all over the world, and his legacy as one of the most important banjo players of his generation is secure.

In addition to his influence on individual musicians, Diller has also played a major role in promoting the traditional music of Pocahontas County and West Virginia as a whole. He is the founder of YewPine Cultural Traditions, a nonprofit organization that works to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Appalachian region. YewPine Cultural Traditions hosts a number of events each year, including concerts, workshops, and festivals. These events provide opportunities for people to learn about and enjoy the traditional music of Pocahontas County and West Virginia.

Diller's work with YewPine Cultural Traditions has helped to raise awareness of the traditional music of Pocahontas County and West Virginia. It has also helped to support and promote local musicians. As a result of Diller's work, the traditional music scene in Pocahontas County is thriving, and the region's cultural heritage is being preserved for future generations.