The folk revival of the 1960s and 1970s in Pocahontas County

• The folk revival brought a new generation of musicians to Pocahontas County, who were interested in learning from the older musicians and carrying on the tradition. Musicians such as John Hartford, the Lilly Brothers, and the Hammons Family gained national recognition for their unique style of music, which blended traditional Appalachian music with other genres. These musicians helped to introduce Pocahontas County folklore and music to a wider audience.
• The folk revival also helped to popularize Pocahontas County music festivals and events, such as the Hammons Family Fiddle and Banjo Contests and the Allegheny Echoes Music Festival. These events attracted musicians and music lovers from all over the world, and helped to put Pocahontas County on the map as a center for traditional Appalachian music.
• The folk revival led to a renewed interest in Pocahontas County folklore and music from scholars and researchers. Folklorists and musicologists began to visit Pocahontas County to document and study its traditional music and culture. This research helped to raise the profile of Pocahontas County folklore and music, and led to a greater appreciation for its unique heritage.

Here are some specific examples of the impact of the folk revival on Pocahontas County folklore and music:

• In 1965, the Hammons Family Fiddle and Banjo Contests were revived after a hiatus of several years. The contests quickly became one of the most popular music events in the country, and helped to attract a new generation of musicians to Pocahontas County.
  
• In 1972, the Allegheny Echoes Music Festival was held for the first time. The festival has since become one of the largest and most prestigious traditional music festivals in the United States.
•  In 1976, folklorist Alan Jabbour published the book "Hammons Family Fiddle Tunes from Pocahontas County, West Virginia." This book was one of the first scholarly publications to focus on Pocahontas County folklore and music.
• In 1981, the Smithsonian Institution released the album "Pocahontas County, West Virginia: Mountain Music from the Allegheny Forest." This album featured recordings of traditional Appalachian music from Pocahontas County, and was one of the first albums to showcase the unique music of the region.

The folk revival of the 1960s and 1970s had a profound impact on Pocahontas County folklore and music. It helped to popularize Pocahontas County music festivals and events, attract a new generation of musicians to the region, and raise the profile of Pocahontas County folklore and music among scholars and researchers. The folk revival also led to a greater appreciation for the unique musical heritage of Pocahontas County.