Big-name musicians sing for the mountains

KFTC members were among the grassroots activists – many part of the Alliance for Appalachia – who attended the Music Saves Mountains concert this past week in Nashville. The concert featured Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, Dave Matthews, Patty Griffin, Buddy Miller, Kathy Mattea, Big Kenny and others.

Artists sung classic songs from coal country – highlighting the history of coal in Appalachia and celebrating the fact that the Appalachians are the birthplace of some of the United States' greatest music.

The concert included debut clips of the forthcoming film The Coal War and clips from the film Deep Down. KFTC's work, as well as that of the Alliance for Appalachia, was acknowledged from the stage.

The show was a benefit for the Natural Resources Defense Council. You can read their update on the concert here.

"The Alliance for Appalachia and all our friends and allies owe NRDC and all the musicians, technicians, promoters, artists, and activists a thanks for all their time, energy and talent that made the Music Saves Mountains such an amazing success," said Dana Kuhnline for the Alliance.

"The concert was a moment to celebrate the powerful movement that so many thousands across Appalachia and across the United States have created - and to celebrate the beautiful mountains and heritage we’re fighting to protect."

Many of the Alliance members stuck around in Nashville for public showings of Deep Down and Coal Country the next day.

See Chris Parton's blog post in CMT News.