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Carl Rutherford was born and raised in War, West Virginia on April 25, 1929, to a father who was a coal miner and a union organizer. Steeped in every form of music native to his mountain home, he fought to preserve it in his travels from West Virginia to California.
Even though he had spina bifida, Carl went to work in the mines at the age of 18. Only two weeks after he started the job, he witnessed a deadly accident in the mines. The event traumatized Carl. He didn’t want to return to the mines, but went back anyway for two years to help his father pay off a debt on a piece of land. Listen to his song “Turn Off the Fear” for a vivid and chilling description of work in the mines. After finishing his two years in the mines, Carl went to California, finding work in the logging camps near Redding. He performed in honky-tonks and became a masterful player. He came back to West Virginia, when his mother became ill. He had set up a music school in his hometown, teaching music to kids.
Carl was a master guitarist, singer and Dobro player who blended the styles of traditional mountain music, gospel, blues, and country music. But after years of mine work, he suffered from black lung and emphysema, and after his final recording session with Music Maker in the mid-2000s, he headed back to California to spend time with his children and first wife. He then returned to West Virginia, where he passed away under the care of his beloved second wife, Frankie. He died January 28, 2006.
Even though he had spina bifida, Carl went to work in the mines at the age of 18. Only two weeks after he started the job, he witnessed a deadly accident in the mines. The event traumatized Carl. He didn’t want to return to the mines, but went back anyway for two years to help his father pay off a debt on a piece of land. Listen to his song “Turn Off the Fear” for a vivid and chilling description of work in the mines. After finishing his two years in the mines, Carl went to California, finding work in the logging camps near Redding. He performed in honky-tonks and became a masterful player. He came back to West Virginia, when his mother became ill. He had set up a music school in his hometown, teaching music to kids.
Carl was a master guitarist, singer and Dobro player who blended the styles of traditional mountain music, gospel, blues, and country music. But after years of mine work, he suffered from black lung and emphysema, and after his final recording session with Music Maker in the mid-2000s, he headed back to California to spend time with his children and first wife. He then returned to West Virginia, where he passed away under the care of his beloved second wife, Frankie. He died January 28, 2006.
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